Itron's Work Order Configuration Tool for use with Service Link. This software enables a utility company to rapidly create and modify work orders for different types of service. You can select which fields will appear in what sequence and customize parameters for those fields. You can quickly create or modify workorder forms, and completion detail forms for dispatchers and mobile users. Service-Link's program logic immediately adapts to process the new or changed work Orders and completion forms that you create using Adapta-Link.

digital telephone technology that transmits at speeds up to 1.544 Mbps

A high frequency, low amplitude, vertical resonant motion usually caused by steady, laminar cross winds at speeds between two and 15 mph. With this type of vibration, the tendency to vibrate increases as conductor tension increases, often resulting in an inability to take full advantage of a conductor’s tensile strength. Dampers installed on conductors can control this vibration.

A company that is controlled by another or that has the same owner as another company, such as a utility and a non-regulated energy services company owned by the same holding company.

Organizing small groups of commercial or residential customers into a single, larger group that provides a more effective bargaining unit that strengthens purchasing power with utilities. Aggregation can also mean aggregating the billing for multiple customers or accounts within a single customer.

An entity in the energy marketplace that organizes residential or business customers into a buying group for the purchase of energy. Depending upon the status of deregulation in a given state, an investor-owned utility, public power company or rural electric cooperative may perform this function in today's energy market. Other entities such as buyer cooperatives or brokers may perform this function in a restructured energy market.

The span measured between a given structure and the structure beyond it, based on the beginning station as a reference.

An Itron software product that provides a set of programming interfaces that allows multiple entities or departments to subscribe to and get access to collected data.

Alarm messages that are sent via an automatic data collection system. Alarms are primarily associated with metering applications such as abnormal usage, meter tamper status and power outages.

A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem in a finite number of steps.

Electric current that flows in both directions.

The current carrying capacity of a conductor (expressed in amperes) under stated thermal conditions. Different materials have a different limit of ampacity depending upon the operating temperature. Those limits are set by the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Automating the meter reading process by equipping an electric, gas or water meter with a meter module and reading that module with a collection system rather than reading it visually by a meter reader. AMR applies to a number of systems in Itron’s product line, including Off-site Meter Reading, Mobile AMR, Fixed Network AMR, MicroNetwork AMR, Telephone-base AMR and MV-90 advanced meter data collection.

Piece of equipment that is installed into the ground to transfer the unbalanced force on a pole or structure to the earth without intermediate supports.

Overheating of a conductor, causing it to expand, sag, weaken, and sometimes break. Usually caused by a combination of too much current passed through the conductor and high temperatures in the air surrounding the conductor.

The standards body that determines electric metering standards.

A software specification and interface to a specific software application. This allows programmers to interface to a software application through a common interface.

Used for very short-term forecasting.

Protective devices for limiting surge voltages on equipment by discharging or bypassing surge current. They serve as completely automatic surge diverters which function to discharge line overvoltages resulting from lightning strokes, switching surges, or other system disturbances.

When you are logged in to Service-Link as a dispatcher, the data displayed in summary windows that are left open is automatically refreshed at pre-set intervals (to display changes that have occurred since the window opened). If you select any records in the summary listing, auto-refresh of the listing stops. De-select any selected records to resume auto-refreshing of the summary. Except for the Messaging Inbox and Assign Shifts, Manager summary windows do not auto-refresh. To manually refresh any window, click the Refresh button.

Angular direction of the line as measured from north, normally in a clockwise direction.

Retrospective forecasting using actual weather and calendar conditions.

An extension attached to the top of a pole, extending upward to connect another cable. Used in joint use applications for attaching fiber optic line and cable TV to the pole.

A measure of a particular type of soil’s strength capability measured in pounds per square foot.

Angular direction measured from north to south with respect to the east or west, normally not greater than 90 degrees.

The number of days covered by a metering period.

An imaginary line that bisects the line angle at a structure. On a tangent structure, the bisector is perpendicular to the line.

A power outage or loss that affects many electricity consumers over a large geographical area for a significant period of time.

Demand measures the rate of electric usage. Demand is expressed in terms of kilowatts (kW) for electric devices and cubic foot (CF) increments for gas devices.

A piece of equipment used solely for additional support to another piece of equipment, such as a crossarm or transformer.

A retail agent who purchases and sells power. The broker may also aggregate customer for combine’s power purchases and arrange for transmission or other services as needed.

A controlled power reduction performed by the utility where the utility decreases the voltage on the power lines, so customers receive weaker electric current. Brownouts are typically used to reduce load if the total power demand exceeds the maximum available supply at particular time.

The inelastic bending of a pole caused by excessive vertical force, which may or may not cause pole failure. The taller an unguyed pole is the less vertical force may be applied to it without causing buckling.

An open source bug tracking system, developed by the Mozilla Organization, that eMobile Data currently uses to track bugs.

Wholesale purchases and sales of electricity.

A separate organizational unit of a utility, typically based on function (gas, electric, water, cable) or geographic location. Service-Link supports order type definitions, dispatcher functions, and manager functions by business unit.

The C&I Network is a flexible, drop-in radio communications network to read solid-state commercial and industrial meters and deliver the data to a host processor. The C&I Network uses advanced, peer-to-peer radio communications to transport metering data from solid-state electric meters equipped with Itron External Meter Modems (EMMs). The data travels from the EMMs, through a system of radio relays, to a hub, which then routes the data using a single dedicated phone line to an Itron MV-90 host processor. There the data can be used for a variety of billing, load forecasting, marketing, load research and system engineering applications.

Underground conductors used in cases when overhead construction becomes impracticable.

Computer Aided Dispatch

The average time to restore service (power) to customers.

In the Itron Telephone AMR software system, call frequency refers to the period of time between the scheduled AMR call to the Master Station host processor by the Siris or Metscan telephone

AMR meter modules.

A load applied to an object that is supported only at one end. The wind load on a conductor places a cantilever load on a pin insulator.

A system of conductors and di-electrics so arranged that a large electrical charge is stored in a small volume. A capacitor is also used as a method of correction, when an inductive load is put into a system, such as a motor; the voltage and current are separated in phase causing a large energy loss. Once that happens a capacitor is added to the system to get the current and voltage back in phase. There are two types: electrostatic and electrolytic.

The maximum load a piece of equipment in the electric system is rated for.

The shape of a completely flexible cable, with constant weight per unit length, suspended between two supports. This is the approximated curve of line conductor, and can be simplified as the horizontal tension of the conductor divided by its weight per unit length. Although a catenary may be more accurate for longer spans, a parabola is more commonly used in most sag and tension calculations. (See Parabola)

In the Itron radio-based fixed network system, Cell Control Units (CCUs) are neighborhood concentrators that collect meter reading information, provide advanced metering functions and send metering data to the host processor via a wide area communications network.

A type of digital transmission over the cellular network, it transmits at 19.2 Kbps, and is used by most large phone companies.

In the Itron radio-based fixed network system, Cell Control Units (CCUs) are neighborhood concentrators that collect meter reading information, provide advanced metering functions and send metering data to the host processor via a wide area communications network.

The relative ground elevation in feet at a particular point on the centerline of a line route.

Utility's computer system for recording information about customers, including a history of work done for each customer.

The software system that stores files of customer data on the utility or other market participants’ mainframe computer or host computer system.

Clear space between the surface of the conductor and any other surface. Different conductors (depending on voltage) need different clearances as determined by NESC codes.

A U-shaped attaching piece used to attach equipment to a pole, such as a neutral spool.

A telephone-based AMR device that fits on commercial gas meters and records meter data and communicates with a host processor.

Producing heat energy, electrical energy or mechanical power from the same fuel in the same facility. For example, a cogeneration facility may produce electricity and steam from the same facility.

Two or more demands that occur at the same time or coincidentally.

Communications port (RS-232C serial port) on a computer. It is used for attaching modems or other serial interface peripheral devices. An Intelâ compatible PC may have up to 4 comm. ports (COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4). Serial ports have a transmission rate of 115 kbits/sec.

A force that increased the pressure on an object. The compression load on a pin insulator is the vertical load that results from a conductor strung between poles.

The Concentrator Unit is a communications node in the MicroNetwork system. Using RF communications technology, Concentrator Units automatically gather consumption information from electric, gas or water meters equipped with ERT meter modules. Concentrators gather information directly from ERT meter modules, or through a series of Repeater Concentrators when direct communications to a particular ERT is difficult.

A material, usually in the form of a wire, cable, or bus bar, suitable for carrying an electric current.

AAC: All Aluminum Conductor

AAAC: All Aluminum Alloy Conductor

ACSR: Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced

ACAR: Aluminum Conductor Aluminum Alloy Reinforced

A type of insulation that protects a conductor during an underground installation. Usually PVC piping is used.

Reducing electric, gas or water usage for the purpose of saving natural or scarce resources. Conservation limits peak usage or demand in order to ultimately reduce the capacity requirements for infrastructure and equipment.

The amount of electricity, gas or water used by a customer during a specified period. Electric consumption is usually expressed in kilowatt-hours, gas in cubic feet or therms, and water in cubic feet.

In Itron’s Telephone AMR Solutions, the telephone-based meter module reports when consumption has exceeded a preset limit within a preset time interval.

An AIB product that allows a utility to set high and low thresholds to monitor usage at a device. If the usage falls below or above the thresholds, a consumption alarm is generated.

An AIB interface that allows a utility to set high and low thresholds to monitor usage at a device. If the usage falls below or above the thresholds, a consumption alarm is generated.

The total amount of electricity being used at a given point in time by all consumers in a utility's service territory.

Water that is lost in transit from a pipe by leakage or evaporation.

A measure of the need for air conditioning (cooling) based on temperature and humidity.

Non-elastic elongation of an aluminum conductor under tension, which has its length suspended between two points. Most creep will occur during the first two months after stringing, and all creep will have occurred within 10 years. Other materials have not been found to creep.

A support member attached to a pole horizontally for the purpose of supporting equipment or conductors. Crossarms have typical dimensions (5’ to 10’ in length) and standard sizes (3.75” x 4.75” to 5.75” x 5.75”). In many cases more than one crossarm is used on a pole. Crossarms used to support cutouts are referred to as cutout arms. One ended crossarms are referred to as alley arms. (See Framing)

The CSR enters customer service requests into the CIS (or directly into Service-Link).

A charge typically placed on distribution services to recover the utility costs incurred as a result of energy industry restructuring. These are stranded costs - usually associated with generation facilities and services - and not recoverable in other ways.

A unit of measure for gas consumption or water consumption.

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom are not closely bonded to the nucleus of that atom. Therefore they will detach and move in random directions, but when an electric pressure is applied to those electrons they give up that random motion and begin to flow in common direction. When the electrons are flowing in that common direction it is known as current.

The current dial reading from electric, gas or water meter.

A reduction in the scheduled capacity or energy delivery to a customer, usually due to unusually high demand or peak load.

curtailment

A utility may work with large companies to curtail or reduce their loads during peak times. Companies that participate in curtailment programs are typically given a predetermined amount of notice prior to the curtailment period and the duration is for a limited amount of time.

In deregulated energy markets, customer choice allows customers to choose their own energy supplier, instead of requiring them to purchase from a designated supplier.(Sometimes also referred to as "retail choice.")

The differentiation between users of energy or water. The class is determined by usage patterns, usage levels, type of customer (commercial vs. residential), or the conditions of service. Classes are usually categorized by customer activity (e.g. residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, etc.).

A record in the utility Customer Information System (CIS) that contains pertinent customer account information such as name, address, billing address, telephone number, meter ID, etc.

A cutout provides protection to the lines of the system and the various apparatus on those lines such as transformers and capacitor banks.

A single day, as defined by the utility, for which meter data is collected and processed.

Any number of cycle days, which is determined by the utility.

The maximum amount of energy or service demanded in one day from a company or utility service.

In deregulated energy markets, where customers have a choice among energy providers, a special final reading is required when the customer switches energy suppliers. This reading determines the final consumption and billing from the previous supplier before switching to the new supplier. This is commonly referred to as a Direct Access Service Request (DASR.)

A handheld data collection device with labeled keys and a display that is used by meter readers in the field. The DataCap H (DCH) stores route files in its internal memory while readings are collected. The DCH was Itron’s handheld computer that was used

Used in Itron’s Mobile AMR systems, the DCU is radio transceiver hardware and associated software mounted in a vehicle that requests, receives and stores consumption and tamper status data from radio-based ERT meter modules.

Used in Itron’s Mobile AMR systems, the DataPac is a portable, mobile acquisition system which requests, receives and stores consumption and tamper status data from radio-based ERT meter modules.

The company that Itron purchased that produced power quality and power outage detection modules. The devices are now referred to as Itron Siris devices and provide automatic meter reading (AMR) and power outage detection capability.

Used in Itron’s Mobile AMR systems, the DCU is radio transceiver hardware and associated software mounted in a vehicle that requests, receives and stores consumption and tamper status data from radio-based ERT meter modules.

The rate at which electric energy is delivered or used at a given time or over a designated period of time.

The charge that a large electricity user pays for their required capacity. This may be based on the customer's peak demand during the contract year, a previous maximum or on an agreed minimum.

The sum to be paid by a large electricity consumer for its peak usage level.

A meter that measures peak demand over a period of time, and changes based on when and where the peak demand occurred.

The elimination of regulation from a previously regulated industry or sector of an industry.

Used in the Itron Fixed Network System, the daily freeze time is the specific time each day that demand, TOU and consumption data is recorded and retained. This freeze time is often required in deregulated energy markets where specific periods of time separate readings – such as one time per day at 9 a.m. for gas reads or one time per day at midnight for electric reads.

Dialogic cards are a part of each Itron Telephone Solutions Master Station. The Dialogic card “answers the phone” when the Siris device calls and takes the DTMF tones that are sent by the device over the phone line and communicates them in a way that the computer software can interpret. The software then uses the dialogic board to send its commands back to the device (in the form of tones).

The ability for a retail customer to purchase electricity directly from the wholesale market rather than through a local distribution utility.

Current that only flows in one direction.

Person who dispatches orders to technicians, and manages field resources for the completion of service orders.

A distributed generation system involves small amounts of generation or pieces of generation equipment applied to a utility's distribution system for the purpose of meeting local peak loads and/or displacing the need to build additional (or upgrade) local distribution lines and infrastructure. Distributed generation may be in the form of gas or propane generators, fuel cells, etc.

Smaller-scale electricity generation located close to the load it serves.

The part of a power system that carries the lower, safer voltages, usually around 13-7 kV. This system runs from the substation to customers’ homes. When the voltage is needed to provide service to a residence another transformer is needed to convert the voltage into 120/240V so appliances in the home can function properly. (See Transmission)

This is a line or system for distributing power from a transmission system to a customer.

A utility’s system that delivers power or water to the end customers. In electric utilities, this consists of wires, switches, and transformers that serve neighborhoods and business. The distribution system reduces or “downgrades” power from high-voltage transmission lines to a level that can be used in homes or businesses. For gas and water utilities, the distribution system consists of the pipes used to deliver water or gas to the end customer.

DOE announces energy policies and acts as a principal advisor to the President on energy matters. The DOE also manages programs of research, development programs and the commercialization for various energy technologies, and associated environmental, regulatory and defense programs.

An industry term that refers to controlling energy usage on the customer/demand side of the meter. Demand side management can include a broad array of systems and programs used by utilities to control a customer’s energy consumption, i.e., low-flow showerheads, fluorescent lighting, load control and “smart” thermostats.

A type of processor chip used in the Portable Network (PN) radio card. This is the brain of the PN Card radio. The software that resides on the DSP chip is called the DSP code.

Used in Itron’s Telephone AMR communications, this is a common tone-signaling method used to transmit address information (dialing) and other information (data) over voice frequency transmission facilities (the telephone system). A DTMF signal consists of two simultaneous sinusoidal signals; one signal is selected from four high-group frequencies and one signal is selected from four low-group frequencies. This is also referred to as touch-tone.

econometrics

Application of mathematical and statistical techniques to economics in the study of problems,

the analysis of data, and the development and testing of theories and models.

The ability to absorb or emit heat, amount of heat transfer.

A device in the C&I Network, the External Meter Modem (EMM) is a complete radio modem that is mounted external to the high functionality meter. It interfaces with the meter through an external data port and forwards meter data via two-way radio communications to the host processor. Any data that is gathered and stored by the meter can be communicated via the EMM. Each EMM is capable of relaying upstream and downstream messages to other EMMs or to Relays or Hubs.

Electronic Meter Reading is a method of manually collecting, entering and storing meter reading data into a handheld computer.

Encoded registers contain counting wheels, which are the physical "dials" on the meter. The dials represent the total amount of water that has gone through that meter at that point in time. The register reports the position of the counting wheel only when interrogated by a remote device such, as an ERT. There is no calculation involved at the register.

end use

Refers to an energy-using piece of equipment or appliance.

A program, generally managed by a large investor-owned utility, designed to encourage things like energy conservation. Encouraging customers to turn off items that use energy, or convert to newer technologies that require less energy are examples of energy efficiency programs.

Technology or programs that reduce, limit or shift peak load from on peak to off-peak time periods. It includes technologies that shift all or part of a load from one time-of-day to another or may have an impact on energy consumption. Examples include load limiting devices or programs that aggressively promote time-of-use (TOU) rates, real time pricing or other innovative rates intended to reduce consumer bills and shift hours of operation of equipment from on peak to off-peak periods.

An AMR supplier acquired by Itron in 1992. The ERT meter module was developed and originally manufactured by EnScan.

ERTs are radio-based modules that fit on electric, gas or water meters. The ERTs encode consumption and tamper information from the meters and communicate the data via radio to Itron radio data collection systems including Handheld, Mobile AMR and Fixed Networks.

ERT Install is a software package for programming ERT modules, primarily at a meter manufacturer or a utility’s meter shop. It is used for large-scale programming of ERTs prior to the meter being installed in the field.

A non-utility supplier or provider of electricity to a competitive energy marketplace.

Estimated time it will take to complete an order.

Univariate approach to forecasting.

The federal governing body that issues radio frequency usage licenses. Additionally, the FCC certifies radio and other equipment against certain standards of operation and performance.

An electrical supply line in the electric utility distribution system, either overhead or underground, which carries power from the substation, through various paths, ending at the transformers.

The regulatory agency, in the U.S. Department of Energy, that has jurisdiction over interstate electricity sales, wholesale rates, etc. FERC regulates the price, terms and conditions of power sold in interstate commerce and regulates the price, terms and conditions of all transmission services. FERC is the federal counterpart to state utility regulatory commissions.

This refers to the state of conductor in service for generally more than 10 years, or one that has experienced maximum zone loading at its maximum working tension. It is assumed that the conductor has been fully stressed and has crept to its full extent. This is typically where maximum sag of the conductor is found for a given loading combination.

Power or power-producing capacity that is guaranteed or covered by a commitment to be available at all times during the period.

Gas sold on a continuous and generally long-term contract.

A fixed radio-based communication network that gathers and transports data between radio-based meter modules and a host-processing computer.

Percent of voltage change that occurs from a steady state voltage from an input of a high load. An equation is used to find the percent flicker.

An outage that occurs during emergency conditions and requires a component or device to be taken out of service automatically. The forced outage can be caused by improper operation of equipment or by human error. The outage becomes a scheduled outage if it is possible to defer the outage.

The predicted or anticipated demand for electricity or gas. A forecast may be short-term (e.g., 15 minutes) for system operation purposes or real-time pricing, long-term (e.g., five to 20 years) for generation planning purposes, or for any range in between. Forecasting is the basis on which power purchases are made. A forecast may include peak demand, energy, reactive power, or demand profile. A forecast may be made for total system demand, transmission loading, substation/feeder loading, individual customer demand, or appliance demand.

The process of calculating or estimating something in advance; predicting the future.

Selection of the correct crossarm/support, brackets and insulator configuration. It is usually determined by the intended user, wire size, span length, and line angle on the insulator.

Electromagnetic waves used to carry information over radio. For example, the selected radio station in your car is a frequency, which brings in the information you want.

Field service representative (a technician).

An advanced energy conversion device that converts fuels to power very efficiently and with minimal environmental impact. Fuel cells are a form of distributed generation that may be applied to the electric distribution to reduce peak load.

An enhanced G5 handheld computer equipped with a high performance radio transmitter/receiver for remote collection of meter readings. Used in Off-site Meter Reading (OMR) systems

A low frequency, high amplitude oscillation of the conductor which usually occurs when ice-covered conductors are exposed to cross winds between 10 and 45 mph. This type of movement is not as sensitive to conductor tension.

A period of twenty-four (24) consecutive hours beginning at a specified hour on a given calendar day and ending at the same specified hour on the next calendar day.

When producer or pipeline delivers or receives a volume of gas that is higher or lower than the volume planned or contracted for.

The process of producing electricity or energy by transforming other forms of energy.

A regulated or non-regulated entity (depending upon the energy industry structure) that operates and maintains existing generating plants and produces or generates power.

A device or machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Different levels of construction that will help alleviate the probability that the conductor will fall to the ground.

An effective grounding system is necessary (a) to avoid having dangerous potentials on non-current carrying equipment during electrical faults (b) to ensure fast operation of electrical protective equipment under fault conditions and (c) to dissipate electrical charges caused by atmospheric conditions.

A brace or cable fastened to the pole to strengthen it and keep it in position. Guys are used wherever the wires tend to pull the pole out of its normal position.

One billion watt hours.

A handheld computer that is used to collect meter reading and other pertinent field data. Itron’s handheld computers include DataCap H, FS/2, FS3, GPC (international), TRx (Japan) and G5.

Two adjacent spans are measured and then that distance is divided by two

Measuring and recording a customer's consumption every hour during specific periods of time that can be tied to the price of energy.

A combination of a horizontal span and angle (bearing) in which the load trees are generated for the structure.

In the C&I Network, a Hub is a regional concentrator that is used to manage all communications for a geographic region of commercial metering points. Each HUB consists of a radio, to communicate with EMMs and Relays, and a telephone modem to communicate to the host processor. Hubs can be pole or building mounted.

Hertz, a measure of frequency, one cycle per second.

A solid-state electronic device that measures consumption among high-usage commercial and industrial accounts. The information collected is used by a utility to determine peak demand times and adjust its distribution system accordingly.

A front-end processor for Itron systems that acts as a concentrator, file server and, in some cases, database.

A condition where the forecasted demand for power does not match the power generated. In a deregulated market, there are often penalties for imbalances.

Penalties that apply when forecasted demand for power does not match the actual usage of power.

An approximation that measures whether a program had an effect on behavior and led to a change in usage.

Can be referred to as resistance. It is the inability of the current to flow through a conductor.

A rebate or payment used to encourage people to implement demand-side management (DSM) technology. Incentives might also be used by the Public Utility Commission to encourage the utility to perform to certain standards or measures under Performance-based Ratemaking.

Device for attaching conductors to poles or structures while maintaining electrical isolation between the conductor and the pole, or between conductors. Higher voltage lines require longer insulators to prevent arcing between the conductor and the pole or other conductors. Insulators must be strong enough to withstand the loads presented by the conductors under extreme environmental conditions.

Integrator is a mainframe-based handheld electronic meter-reading system. This is the only mainframe-based meter reading system available in the world. Integrator is compatible with FS/2 and FS3 handhelds and operates under any mainframe operating system.

Gas sold to customers with a provision that permits curtailment or cessation of gas service at the discretion of the utility distribution company based upon certain circumstances that are specified in the service contract between the distribution company and customer.

Energy loads that can be interrupted in the event of capacity or energy deficiencies on the supplying system.

Power that can be interrupted or curtailed by the supplier, usually under the guidelines of some sort of agreement by the parties involved.

Interruptible rates provide power at a reduced rate to large industrial and commercial customers who agree to reduce their energy use in times of peak demand.

Interval reads measure and store deltas of energy usage in regularly measured 15, 30, 60, or 120-minute interval time periods. This interval data can then be used to determine block demand or load profile data.

An IOU is a form of electric or gas utility owned by a group of investors whose shares of stock are traded on public stock markets.

The Internet Protocol connects is the global system of interconnecting computers to each other. Most often this is simply called simply "the Internet."

Private entities or entrepreneurs that develop, own or operate electric power plants fueled by alternative energy sources such as small hydro, wind facilities, cogeneration, or waste-energy facilities.

A database that is used to share information between the Service-Link database and the database of the CIS.

In a deregulated marketplace, an ISO is the entity responsible for the reliable operation of the transmission grid and the provision of open transmission access to all market participants on a non-discriminatory basis.

Kilohertz, a measure of frequency, 1,000 cycles per second.

Apparent power used for engineering design criteria because equipment must be designed according to maximum voltage and current criteria, not according to usable power. KVAh is the total power supplied, made up of real power (kWh) and reactive power (KVARh).

An indication of the amount of power “lost” in the system times the number of intervals per hour.

KVARh is reactive power. It is an indication of the amount of power being “lost” due to the “reactive” properties of the equipment or network.

The electrical unit of power equal to 1,000 watts.

The electricity equal to one kilowatt of power supplied to or taken from an electric circuit for one hour. kWh is a measurement of power and time used by utilities for billing purposes.

Also referred to as the “target span” or “controlling span,” the limiting span is the maximum allowable distance from pole to pole for a specific framing. This span is usually determined by the geometric properties of the framing such as galloping or conductor separation. This span may also be determined by the strength properties of the framing such as the strength of the insulators or crossarm.

The ahead direction is defined by ascending stationing on LD-Pro’s staking sheet.

The angle of deviation between the line back and the line ahead.

The amount of energy delivered or required at any specified point or points on a system at a particular time. Load originates from the equipment at the customer location.

Environmental conditions under which the forces are being measured. High wind, heavy ice, and cold are examples of different load cases. Also called “design loads.”

Activities performed by the utility that can interrupt load at the time of peak by interrupting power supply on consumer premises. Load control is usually applied to residential consumers.

The estimation of electricity or natural gas demand, or energy consumption, at some future time.

Technology or programs that reduce, limit or shift peak load from on-peak to off-peak time periods. It includes technologies that shift all or part of a load from one time-of-day to another or may have an impact on energy consumption. Examples include load limiting devices or programs that aggressively promote time-of-use (TOU) rates, real time pricing or other innovative rates intended to reduce consumer bills and shift hours of operation of equipment from on-peak to off-peak periods.

The location at which a force is applied to a structure. This force can be in the form of a concentrated load that the user defines but is usually a load from a service or transformer that is attached to the pole.

The hourly or sub-hourly pattern of energy use. Also called a load shape. Sometimes shown as a graph.

In a deregulated energy market, the public utility commission may require utilities to perform load profile reads on a certain number of customers in each customer class. This load profiling data is needed to determine rates and usage for other customers in the same customer class.

Analysis of data in order to determine the behavior and timing of consumer demand.

The hourly or sub-hourly pattern of energy use. Also called a load profile.

The process of deliberately removing (either manually or automatically) pre-selected customer demand from a power system in response to an abnormal condition to maintain the integrity of the system and minimize overall customer outages.

A grid that displays all of the calculation results of the various environmental loads placed on the conductor, framing, and pole.

The method of loading that is applied to a project. There are two typical methods of loading designated by the NESC, Type A and Type B. Different safety factors are used for Type A and Type B calculation; they are taken either from Table 253-1 or 253-2 of the 1997 NESC.

The different forces acting upon the structure, such as the pole and the conductors themselves.

The NESC has divided the country up into light, medium, and heavy districts. The type of weather an area experiences determines its district. More snow, ice, and wind will give the district heavier loading requirements; in turn, less severe weather gives an area a lighter loading requirement.

Forecast horizons of one year or longer.

In line with the pole line.

Loads applied in line with the pole line.

Mean Absolute Percentage Error.

A study done to understand the size, characteristics and existing behaviors in a market.

market barrier

Something in the marketplace that prevents consumers from making the best possible choice, usually discussed regarding energy efficient technologies.

A program that tracks the distribution of end-use equipment at the wholesale or retail level, typically seen as concerning efficiency distribution.

An agent who markets power on behalf of the generator. The marketer may also arrange transmission, firming or other ancillary services as needed. For natural gas, a marketer is an entity that sells natural gas it has purchased from a producer or other seller.

In the Itron Telephone AMR solutions, the Master Station acts as the host computer that is running the Itron Master Station software and receiving calls from the AMR devices.

The maximum tensions a conductor experiences during its service life. It is typically the highest working tension at a specific loading condition under the NESC or other standard.

In a deregulated energy market, an MDMA is an entity that is certified to collect and distribute metering information on behalf of utilities, energy service providers or end customers.

On a handheld computer, this is a keyboard that has a flat plastic membrane instead of raised keys. Membrane keyboards are available on Itron FS/2, FS3, G5 and GPC handheld computers.

An additional support cable that conductors are wrapped around to give them more support.

The unique identifying number that is placed on the case of an electric, gas or water meter.

The “dials” on the front of a meter which indicates the volume of gas passed through the meter.

The meter record is associated with a customer record and contains meter reading and billing data, high/low checks, and survey information.

The “dials” on the front of a meter which indicate the volume of gas passed through the meter.

A Telephone AMR supplier that Itron acquired in 1995. Metscan systems use telephone technology to read residential, commercial and industrial gas meters.

Megahertz, a measure of frequency, one million cycles per second.

The MicroNetwork is a low-cost, drop-in network meter reading solution that combines radio and telephone technology to collect metering data from groups of water, electric or gas meters.The MicroNetwork consists of ERT meter modules, locally installed communications nodes called Concentrators, and Itron meter reading software and host processing station.

A mismatch between order and FSR occurs when:

The FSR or vehicle lack any attributes needed for the order, or

The FSR does not normally work in the area, or

The FSR is not on shift, or

The FSR does not have sufficient available time in his shift to drive to and complete the order.

Mobile AMR uses vehicles equipped with a radio transceiver to read ERT module-equipped electric, gas or water meters via radio without the need to access the meter. Mobile AMR dramatically improves meter reading efficiency.

Developing a mathematical or statistical relationship between a variable of interest and causal or explanatory variables.

The device used to connect data equipment to a communication line. Modems are commonly used to connect computer equipment to telephone lines.

A force acting on a structure and causing deflection at any particular point.

A file that contains completed meter reading route information that is transmitted from the meter reading host processor back to the mainframe computer.

A file that contains route information that is transmitted from the utility mainframe computer to the meter reading host processor. This file contains customer and meter input records for each account to be processed. When the MRI file is processed into routes, blank customer and meter output records are created for each account. As the meter reader collects meter reading information during the day, these output records are filled in, uploaded to the IHP, and the MRE file is created.

The portion of the Telephone AMR Master Station software that allows the user to set up a custom response to a specified event when it is reported by a specified device. For example, if a device in a certain location calls in to report an outage, an MRP could be set up to dial a certain pager number and send a page, or to send an e-mail to someone, or both.

In a deregulated energy market, an MSP is an entity that is certified to purchase, install and maintain meters.

The probable length of time that a component or product taken from a particular batch will survive if operated under the same conditions as the sample from the same batch.

A power or water utility system owned and operated by a local jurisdiction.

The MV-90 system is the world’s leading software solution for collection, validation and editing of interval, register and event data from solid state metering and data logging devices. MV-90 collects interval, register and event data from over 120 different gas and electric metering devices. MV-90 has extensive functionality to support data validation and data editing. A variety of system interfaces and optional packages for data totalization, time-of-use pricing, load research and interactive graphics are available to provide complete meter data management services. MV-90 is very scalable and can be operated on a single PC as well as wide-area network operating environments and distributed systems. Most functions within MV-90 are automated, significantly improving the ability to process complex meter data.

MV-COMM is Itron’s multi-port front-end processor for the base MV-90 platform that significantly enhances communications speed and efficiency between end-point metering devices and the MV-90 host processor. Simultaneous multi-port communications allow users to read data from up 32 meters at one time. MV-COMM supports traditional public network communication and also as well as new communications technologies, including the Itron C&I Network, TCP/IP, cellular (digital and analog) and ARDIS.

The MV-PBS Billing and Settlement Solution is a client/server-based billing and financial settlement solution that produces customized bills and invoices to meet the specific needs of commercial, industrial and wholesale energy users under a variety of complex rates, supply contracts and schedules.MV-PBS directly interfaces to MV-90, MV-WEB and MV-STAR, and supports complex billing contracts and tariffs for electric and gas customers. MV-PBS supports billing of demand, energy rates, real-time pricing applications, interruptible and gas transportation. It also supports settlement charges including energy imbalance service, spinning reserve service and supplemental reserve service. The system can also be used to customize bills for national and franchise accounts, as well as retail wheeling.

Itron’s PC-based handheld meter reading software. This software uses FS/2, FS3 and G5 handheld computers. The host processor supports Electronic Meter Reading (EMR), Off-site Meter Reading (OMR), Mobile AMR and MicroNetwork AMR.

MV-STAR is a powerful database and meter data management solution that manages the gathering storage and distribution of extremely high volumes of load profile data gathered from commercial and industrial customers by multiple MV-90 (or other) systems. MV-STAR is capable of storing, processing, aggregating and reporting period-based data in the energy industry. MV-STAR is integrated with the MV-90 data collection, analysis and management solution. Data is processed in a very short time period and delivered, via batch or interactive formats, to the system users.

MV-WEB is an internet-based communications solution that provides an interface for virtually any energy market participant to gain easy and low-cost access to critical interval load and metering data. With a standard PC workstation and Web browser, customers and other market participants can access and report on their usage data in a secure, immediate and reliable environment using MV-WEB.MV-WEB interfaces to the MV-90, MV-PBS and MV-STAR systems and works with virtually any ODBC-compliant database.

One thousand kilowatt-hours or one million-watt hours.

The council formed by the electric utility industry in 1968 to promote the reliability and adequacy of bulk power supply in utility systems of North America. NERC consists of ten regional reliability councils.

Sets standards for the entire country to insure life safety and fire safety.

Artificial neural networks, as they are used in forecasting, are flexible nonlinear models that can approximate a wide range of data generating processes.

A point or region of a vibrating or oscillating system where the amplitude of the vibration or oscillation is minimal. Also, a place where a group of wires comes together and joins to make a junction.

A node in a neural network provides a weighted sum of a set of explanatory variables.

A request for a physical quantity of gas under a specific purchase, sales or transportation agreement.

A precise listing of all quantities of gas to be transported during any specified time period. A nomination includes all custody transfer entities, locations, volumetric assessments, and the precise routing of gas through the pipeline network.

A mathematical translation of a data series to put it on a unit-less scale.

Orders Completed (abbreviation used in FSR summaries). Number of orders the FSR has completed on the date chosen for display in the summary.

A safety or fudge factor used in structural analysis. The actual load on a conductor is multiplied by its OCF as a safety measure.

Meter reads that are required outside of the normal reading schedule. This may include reads required when customers move out, billing investigations, Direct Access Service Requests, etc.

Periods of relatively low system demands where energy rates are usually offered at a reduced rate.

When stringing a line on a steep slope, the offset clip is a correction for the tendency of the conductor to slide downhill due to gravity. The goal is to get the insulators to hang plumb, and the offset clip is the correction made when the sliding conductor pulls the insulators out of plumb.

Off-site Meter Reading uses radio-equipped handheld computers to read module equipped electric, gas or water meters via radio without the need to access the meter or customer premise. As a meter reader walks a route, the radio-equipped handheld computer sends a radio “wake-up” signal to nearby radio-based meter modules that have been installed on electric, gas or water meters. The unit then receives meter reading and tamper data back from the meter modules. This enables the meter to be read without directly accessing the meter or the premise.

Open access to the electric transmission system by any legitimate energy market participant, including utilities, independent power producers, co generators, and power marketers.

This is a device that is attached to the serial port of handheld computers that enable it to gather information from electric meters that have a special optical port for this probe. (Time of Use meters and Interval Data Recorders.)

A period of time during which electricity is unavailable.

A rate-setting mechanism, which is typically negotiated between utilities and PUCs, that links incentive rewards or profits to desired performance results or targets. PBR is a form of rate regulation which provides utilities with better incentives to reduce their costs than cost-of-service regulation. Typical PBR performance measures include customer satisfaction, number and duration of power outages, cost reductions and demand side management measures.

Periods of relatively high load and system demands. The maximum load demanded.

The maximum power used in a specific period of time.

A junction box where a secondary conductor can be transferred into a service conductor.

A uniform system of units that can be used in any method of calculations.

A hot lead coming out at an angle from a common generating point. Two main variations:

Three-phase: Three separate outputs from a common generating point making the angle between them 120 degrees.

Single-phase: One output coming from the generating point.

One of the characteristics of the electric service supplied or the equipment used. Almost all residential customers use single-phase service and most commercial and industrial customers use either two-phase or three-phase service.

A cylindrical piece of metal or wood used for supporting or fastening equipment to something else, such as a clevis to a pole.

A water meter that is installed underground in a pit or vault.

A radio that is integrated with or inserted into a handheld computer and used to read radio-based ERT meter modules.

A structure used to hold up conductors and equipment in a power system. There are three main types of poles:

Tangent pole: A pole that is a straight line with the one before and the one after it.

Angle pole: A pole at the junction where the line goes off at an angle.

Dead-end pole: The point where a power line comes to an end. The line only goes in one direction from that point.

ANSI classification categorizes poles by their ability to withstand a horizontal load located two feet from the pole top, without regard to species of pole (wood) or length of pole. This also takes into account the circumference of the pole at the top and compares it to the circumference six feet from the bottom of the pole.

In the Itron Telephone AMR system, politeness refers to the ability of the Siris meter module device to share the customer’s telephone line without interruption. The module is able to detect line voltage and will not initiate or continue a call when the customer is using the line.

A legal obligation to provide service to a customer where other suppliers have decided not to provide the customer's business. POLR is typically assigned to utilities.

The PostBox is a data management application that manages and stores data gathered from large numbers of customers in an Oracle database and facilitates meter reading route generation from this data. The PostBox coordinates and matches customer-related data and generates tasks and routes. The PostBox application resides between the meter reading software and the billing software.

Water that has high enough quality to make it suitable for drinking.

This is the commercial entity responsible for facilitating the development of transparent spot pricing for energy capacity, and/or ancillary services.

Two or more interconnected electric systems that agree to coordinate operations.

Itron’s Client Server meter reading system that uses Windows NT™ as the operating system and Oracle as the database. Premierplus 4 is compatible with FS/2, FS3 and G5 handheld computers.

A device that maintains the pressure in a fluid flow line, regardless of the rate of flow in the line or the change in upstream pressure.

The main conductor that carries the highest voltage. Can be in two forms.

Loop feed: The primary line continues on until it comes back to a source where it usually left at a normally open position.

Radial feed: The primary power line will run out to a load and end at a termination point.

An assessment that examines the steps involved in delivering a program or technology to a group, which may also involve an examination of alternative delivery procedures.

State regulatory agencies that establish and oversee policy guidelines and direction to public utilities.

A pulse register equates a magnetic or electrical pulse to the amount of water passing through a meter. Each pulse is added to a running electronic total being maintained in the register or to remote devices attached to the meter, such as ERTs. Pulse meters continually calculate data.

A group of utility customer that are on the same rate structure.

Software used to program ERT meter modules in the field. ReadOne Link is a work order-based system that can be used for installation of ERTs, quality audits and large scale programming of ERTs being installed in the field.

Handheld computer used to install and initialize ERT meter modules.

Works as an automatic circuit breaker. Reclosers have the ability to distinguish between temporary and permanent faults by following curves set by the manufacturer. Once that fault is crossed a recloser will open and try to fix itself about three times so that manual labor isn’t needed.

Hydraulic: Used in single-phase. At lower ratings, they use a spring to close; at larger ratings they use a coil.

Electronic: Used on many three-phase units and preferred over hydraulic reclosers in areas with changing conditions because they can be adjusted with a short down period.

In an electric utility distribution system, reclosure is the automatic closing of a circuit-interrupting device following automatic tripping.

An entity that is established to coordinate short-term operations to maintain system stability and achieve least-cost dispatch. The pool may own, manage and/or operate the transmission lines or be an independent entity that manages the transactions between entities.

The relationship between the mean value of a random variable and the corresponding values of one or more independent variables.

In the C&I Network, the Relay is a radio device that is installed in elevated locations, such as a pole or the side of a building, and provides a communications relay between EMMs and the HUB. Relays are typically used in areas where the density of meters is not sufficient for EMM to EMM transmissions or EMM to HUB communication.

System reliability includes the ability to supply the electricity demand and energy requirements of the customers at all times, taking into account scheduled and unscheduled outages of system facilities. In addition, reliability includes the ability of the electric system to withstand sudden disturbances such as unexpected loss of system facilities.

A resource capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sound management practices.

The forces prohibiting the flow of current through a system. This is determined by the conductor’s length and the diameter of that same conductor. Resistance is measured in Ohms.

Restoring power following a power outage.

The reconfiguration of the traditional vertically integrated utility, separating the various functions of generation, transmission and distribution into individually operated and owned entities.

A system in a deregulated energy marketplace under which more than one energy provider can offer to sell to retail customers, and where retail customers are allowed to choose more than one provider from whom to purchase their energy.

The sale of electric power from a generating company or wholesale entity to the customer.

The ability of end-use customers to purchase energy, capacity, or both from anyone other than the local electric utility.

The conduit and conductor involved in the transition from overhead distribution to underground distribution. Usually runs down the pole and into an underground pedestal.

A telephone-based AMR module that fits on residential gas meters and records and communicates meter data to a host processor.

A controlled and temporary interruption of electrical service (outage.) These are implemented when a utility is unable to meet heavy peak demands because of an extreme deficiency in power supply.

The orientation angle used for attaching a load point to a pole. This angle is referenced from the span back of the power line, is negative for counterclockwise angles, and is positive for clockwise angles.

A predetermined meter reading assignment.

The meter reading route identification number including area number, route number, and cycle number.

The instantaneous pricing of electricity or natural gas based on the cost of the energy available at the time that it is demanded by the customer.

The maximum stress which a material will sustain when slowly loaded to rupture. Each material is given this value to determine the maximum loads that can be applied to that material.

A calculated equivalent span designated to represent the behavioral characteristics of a collective series of spans of random lengths, supported on suspension towers and terminated between two strain-type or dead-end structures. Sag and tension calculations performed on the ruling span can be used on each span in the specified line.

A nonprofit, customer-owned electric utility that distributes power in a rural area.

The amount that a conductor will drop below the horizontal line that connects the poles where the conductors attach to the poles.

The customer minutes of service interruption (outages) or the average length of time of interruption of all customers.

The average number of interruptions (power outages) on all customers

The process of segmenting a population with the intent of drawing a representative sample for detailed analysis.

A computer system that supervises and controls the electric utility distribution and transmission system.

Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition system

Conductor condition under which the forces are being calculated. Examples are: intact, broken-ahead, broken-back, etc.

A schedule is an agreed-upon transaction for the delivery and receipt of required power between the contracting parties and the control areas. Established schedules include the size of the transaction (in megawatts), the start and end time, and rate.

A controlled and temporary interruption of electrical service. These are necessary when a utility is unable to meet heavy peak demands because of an extreme deficiency in power supply.

Building a supply portfolio to meet forecasted loads.

The standard ERT message format that contains current consumption read and current tamper status indicators.

Standard Completion Time (for an order), pre-defined time for completion of an order type (comprised of the sum of completion times for all the job codes in the order type plus standard travel time for the area in which the job site is located).

A conductor that is branched off of the primary conductor to service lower voltages circumstances like standard residential loads.

The former brand name for Itron’s electric telephone-based meter modules. These are now called Siris devices.

The wires extending from the secondary, or distribution transformer, adjacent to the customer’s property to the customer’s premises. Mainly two types of wires are used:

Triplex: Three different wires twisted around each other to make one cable.

Quadplex: Four different wires twisted around each other to make one cable.

This is the state, area or region served exclusively by a single utility.

In a deregulated energy market, there is a requirement to determine the amount of energy used by different market participants and/or customers and track the difference between the amount of energy scheduled or forecasted, and the amount actually used. This data is then used to provide financial settlement to market participants and customers. Depending on the market requirements, these balancing and settlement processes must take place on a monthly, or even on a daily and hourly basis.

Forecast horizons of less than ten days ahead.

Historical load shape with similar weather and calendar conditions as the forecast day.

Attempting to predict aspects of the behavior of some system by creating an approximate mathematical model of it.

A reduced tension span, usually an unguyed dead end. May be used when guys are not possible for the installation. Slack span installations require special hardware to compensate for the lack of sufficient conductor tension.

Standard Market Design

A structure located at one end of a sag section and considered as a zero point for sagging and clipping offset calculations. A snub is a pole stub or log which is set or buried in the ground to serve as a temporary anchor. Snubs are often used at pull and tension sites.

An electronic, multiple-function electric or gas meter. Solid state meters can measure advanced metering functions including kWh, demand, kVA, kVAR, etc.

The reference point for the entire system, the position from which everything is calculated.

Reserve generating capacity running at zero load.

Picking points where the poles and underground materials will be placed on a map.

Designing and marking where the overhead line will be. A stake is placed in the center of the intended pole location.

The amount of increased electricity generation and/or reduced electricity consumption a utility can call on to help bridge short-term mismatches in supply and demand. Mismatches can occur for several reasons, such as when a power station breaks down or weather changes drastically. Generators and consumers who agree to provide a specified amount of standing reserve can qualify for lower rates, rebates, or other incentives.

Utility investments in facilities and infrastructure that were built to serve customers under traditional regulation may become "stranded" if those assets are deregulated and their cost of generation exceeds the actual price of power in a competitive market. These include prior investments allowed by regulators that are currently being recovered through regulated rates.

Individually metering all the apartments in an apartment complex or strip mall rather than using one master meter to determine usage for the entire complex.

A facility in an electric utility distribution system that is used for switching and/or changing or regulating the voltage of electricity. A substation is the location where high voltage transmission lines connect to switchgear and step-down transformers to produce lower voltages at lower power levels for local distribution networks.

An entity (person, corporation, generator, broker, marketer, aggregator or any other entity) that sells electricity to customers, using the electric utility’s transmission or distribution facilities.

Used to open and close lines where sectionalizing for faulted conditions may arise, or construction and maintenance may be required.

In a deregulated energy market, customer switch energy providers.

A counter used in ERT meter modules to tampers on electric, gas or water meters.

A connection used when a branch off the same conductor is needed. Most of them occur at poles where the additional equipment can be added with no affect to the conductor’s properties.

Flying Tap: A tap off a conductor at midspan, typically at conductor crossings. Not a preferred construction practice, flying taps are used generally when poles cannot be installed at the needed location.

Telephone AMR uses telephone-based meter modules attached to electric or gas meters to communicate metering data, via telephone, to a central host processor.

A gas meter in which the measurement of gas volume is automatically corrected for the variation in gas temperature.

The force that stretches an object when applied. A deadend suspension insulator has a tension load applied to it that is equal to the tension in the conductor.

A force used to measure how tight something is. Used in the utility industry to determine how tight to string the conductor between spans.

A unit of measure for natural gas consumption.

A type of meter that measures and stores consumption and specific times of the day.

Electricity prices that vary depending on the time periods in which the energy is consumed. In a time-of-use rate structure, higher prices are charged during utility peak-load times. Such rates can provide an incentive for consumers to curb power use during peak times.

Measurement of kilowatt-hours consumed (time bucket) for a defined period of time. In a time-of-use rate structure, higher prices are charged during utility peak-load times.

The data collected in a TOU meter, which can be programmed differently for each meter, includes energy (DWH), and reactive (KVA) readings. This is referred to as billing data. Additional information, such as date and time of the highest meter readings, the continuous demand readings, and cumulative demand readings are referred to as non-billing data. This data is also stored in the TOU meter.

A device in electric utility distribution system that receives electricity from a feeder and changes the voltage of alternating current before delivering electricity to the home or premise.

A system of power lines carrying current at an extremely high voltage, such as 700kV, from substation to substation. These lines can be transported a great distance without a lot of voltage drop to a substation where they can be broken down into lower voltages. (See Distribution)

Moving gas from a designated receipt point to a designated delivery point according to the terms of a contract between the transporter and the shipper.

A rate schedule to move someone else's gas on a transmission or distribution system. Most transmission companies have a number of transportation rate schedules based upon mileage, zones, firm or interruptible, etc.

In the direction of the bisector.

Forces applied to the structure perpendicular to the line, or along the bisector of an angle, typically due to wind loads on the poles and conductors. Also refers to tension in the conductors due to their change in direction for angled cases.

An alleyway dug for the conductor to sit in during an underground installation.

A machine that converts/generates power from a stream of fluid (water, steam or hot gas) into energy.

Unaccounted for Energy

The maximum allowable factored load that may be applied to an object without failure occurring.

Disaggregating the electric utility service into its basic components and offering each component separately for sale with separate rates for each component. For example, generation, transmission and distribution could be unbundled and offered as discrete services or metering and billing could be offered as discrete services.

An upward vertical force, usually occurring on a structure between two structures that are at higher elevation points in the line.

Loading parallel to the central axis of the pole.

The amount of conductor between low points of the sag in the two adjacent spans.

The electric pressure of a circuit in an electric system measured in volts. It is generally a nominal rating based on the maximum normal effective difference of potential between any two conductors of the circuit.

The voltage lost between two points on a conductor, or the difference in voltage at those two points.

The purchase and sale of electricity from generators to resellers (who sell to retail customers) along with the services needed to maintain reliability and power quality at the transmission level.

The sale of electricity from an electricity generator to a utility or other electric distribution system through the transmission lines.

A conductor designation to indicate conductor type (for example, DISTA is distribution circuit 1, DISTB is distribution circuit 2, TRANSA is transmission circuit 1, and NEUTA is neutral 1).

A subdesignation within the wire group indicating phase (for example, DA1 is distribution wire 1 of DISTA, DA2 is distribution wire 2 of DISTA, etc.).

The means of identifying the location of survey points with respect to some established reference point. X and Y are axes used to measure horizontal points. Z is the vertical axis used to measure elevation.