V
V2 security
See application layer security.
VA
See volt-amperes (VA).
validation exit (VE)
A product milestone that indicates the product is customer ready (limited production). Hardware, firmware, software validation deliverables have been completed with acceptable results. There are no priority 1 or priority 2 bugs. Internal First Articles checklist and quality plan meets expectations. Manufacturing documents are ready (assembly process, bill of materials (BOM) status is active, and so on) and regulatory and certifications are complete. Upon approval, the manufacturing process can begin for pilot builds, if applicable. See also limited availability (LA).
value analysis and value engineering (VAVE)
Value analysis is the process of identifying a product or service's function and making it available at the lowest cost. Value engineering refers to a systematic method to improve the "value" of the product or service by examining its function. An example of value engineering is using less expensive parts to manufacture a product without decreasing the quality of the product.
vampire
Electronic devices that, when turned off, can remain on in “standby mode” and can represent as much as 10 percent of a consumer’s total electricity consumption.
VAR
See volt-amperes reactive (VAR).
var-hours delivered
The total (integral+fractional) of the aggregate var-hours delivered.
var-hours received
The total (integral+fractional) of the aggregate var-hours received.
variable peak pricing (VPP)
A power billing structure whereby rates can vary throughout the day depending on system load conditions.
VAVE
See value analysis and value engineering (VAVE).
VE
See validation exit (VE).
VEE
Validation, Estimation, and Editing. Software tools that manage data collected from endpoints.
vehicle dock
A hardware device installed in a vehicle that provides mounting, storage, communications, and battery charging for a handheld data collection device.
vendor-managed inventory (VMI)
A method of inventory management in which a supplier or manufacturer of goods takes responsibility for monitoring and maintaining a customer’s or buyer’s inventory levels of those goods.
verified single outage (VSO)
view
The contents of the display pane in the user interface of some software applications.
virtual inventory location
A physical location within a warehouse that is set aside for inventory items of a designated status, such as return materials authorization (RMA) items, quarantined items awaiting inspection, items that are newly received from the manufacturer, and so on.
virtual light output (VLO)
VLO allows a user to set the light output percentage that will be considered to be 100%. For example, if a 100-watt light is deployed in the field, and the user wants it to run at a maximum of 80 watts, they would set the VLO value to 80%. As an example application, with this value set, a calendar or program that indicates the light should turn on at 100% at 7 PM will actually turn the light on at 80% after applying the VLO value. If the program indicates that the light should dim to 50% at midnight, the light will actually be set to 40% after the VLO value is applied.
virtual local area network (VLAN)
A VLAN enables devices on different physical local area network (LAN) segments to communicate as if they are on the same LAN segment.
Virtual Log ID
A number that represents a log group. Log groups have a number, name, and a single event ID range associated with them.
virtual machine (VM)
A computer resource, typically called an image, that behaves like an actual computer but uses software instead of a physical computer to run programs and deploy applications.
virtual private network (VPN)
A computer network that uses a public telecommunication infrastructure such as the internet to provide remote offices or individual users with secure access to their organization’s network. It is established, at the application layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model over an existing physical network.
VPNs aim to avoid expensive systems of owned or leased lines that can only be used by a single organization. A VPN typically does not include every node present on the physical network.
virtual relays
Used through physical relays in a Direct-to-Grid load control switch (LCS)to physically control and connect one or more assets, which can be, for example, HVACs, water heaters, and pool pumps. Each physical relay allows control signals to turn the asset behind the switch on or off.
An HVAC, for example, could include multiple components (such as a first stage compressor, second stage compressor, fan, and heat strip), each of which is connected to and controlled by a separate physical relay.
When sending a DRLC event, you might want to control only certain components. For example, the utility might want to turn off the compressors but keep the fan on. The switches accomplish this through the virtual relays, each of which is associated with multiple physical relays.
virus
A malicious, self-replicating program that spreads by modifying other programs or files.
VLAN
See virtual local area network (VLAN).
VLO
See virtual light output (VLO).
VM
See virtual machine (VM).
VMI
See vendor-managed inventory (VMI).
volt (V)
The practical unit of electromotive force, or potential difference. One volt causes one ampere to flow when impressed across a one-ohm resistor.
voltage
The electrical pressure that exists between two points, measured in volts. In the circuit of an electrical system, voltage is generally a nominal rating based on the maximum normal effective difference of potential between any two conductors in that circuit.
Voltage Optimizer
An Itron application that provides utilities with a turnkey solution for maximizing voltage savings based on sophisticated EPRI-validated methods while maintaining compliance with regulatory settings. The software combines voltage alerts, polling, and sophisticated algorithms to provide up-to-date voltage optimization.
The solution leverages real-time alerts from Power Monitor to create a holistic understanding of voltage levels throughout the distribution network. A third-party product (EDGE from Dominion Voltage Inc.) then analyzes that data, looking for areas where it can tune DA device settings to optimize voltage levels.
voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR)
The ratio of maximum to minimum voltage. When a transmission line is terminated by an impedance that does not match the characteristic impedance of the transmission line, not all of the power is absorbed by the termination. Part of the power is reflected back down the transmission line. The forward (or incident) signal mixes with the reverse (or reflected) signal to cause a voltage standing wave pattern on the transmission line.
volt-amperes (VA)
The unit of electrical measurement equal to voltage times the current feeding an electrical load.
volt-amperes reactive (VAR)
In an alternating current (AC) electric power system, the unit used to measure the reactive power (Q) in a circuit.
volts root mean squared (Vrms)
A measurement of the magnitude of an AC signal or peak modulation. See also kilovolt-ampere reactive hours (kVARh).
Volt-VAR Optimization (VVO)
A technique for reducing the amount of energy waste or over provisioning on the distribution grid. VVO is a process used to actively manage voltage levels and reactive power on distribution circuits in order to reduce energy losses, improve reliability, and power quality. VVO is typically achieved through the use of real-time information and controls that activate capacitor banks, voltage regulators, and transformer load-tap changers, and, in some cases, distributed generation to adjust voltage and VAR levels on the primary and secondary distribution circuits.
VPN
See virtual private network (VPN).
VPP
See variable peak pricing (VPP).
Vrms
See volts root mean squared (Vrms).
VSO
See verified single outage (VSO).
VSWR
See voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR).
VT
A device that measures a proportion of the voltage on a conductor. Where a voltage in excess of x volts is supplied to a site, it is not possible to pass all of the voltage to a meter. VTs are used to measure a proportion of the voltage supplied.
vulnerability
Weakness in an information system, system security procedures, internal controls, or implementation that could be exploited or triggered by a threat source.