APPNOTE: Recommended baud rates for different Loggers

Last reviewed: April 04, 2008
Article ID: 030711sab

The information in this article applies to:

Pronto for Windows all releases.

Target Audience.

This Article is aimed at:

All Pronto Users.

Summary.

The recommended rate should give the most reliable communication between a Logger and a computer. In some cases a slower rate will give more reliable results, particularly in electrically noisy environments.

Which type of Logger do you have ?

Standard first generation Ranger Logger (without enhanced serial communications firmware).
Ranger II with firmware 4.56 or earlier.
Meter Socket Logger (1530 series)
Scout (10xx series)
Qualitrol
Power Logger (1230 series) with firmware 4.56 or earlier

Enhanced first generation Ranger Logger (with enhanced serial communications firmware).
Ranger II with firmware 4.57 or later.
Ranger III
Ranger 4 series
Harmonics Power Logger (1250 & 1280 series)
Harmonics Analyzer (HA5000 series)
Power Logger (1230 series) with firmware 4.57 or later

Second generation Logger.
PM6000 Power Master
PM3000 Power Master
PM2000 Meter Socket Logger
PM1000 Single Phase Logger

USB connected Logger.
Ranger PM7000

How is your Logger connected to the computer ?

If using a serial cable, serial to USB converter or serial to Ethernet converter.

Standard first generation Ranger Loggers use a rate of 9600.
Enhanced first generation Ranger Loggers use a rate of 38400 or 9600.
For second generation Loggers use a rate of 115200 or 57600 (see note below on 230400).

If using a modem.

Standard first generation Ranger Loggers use a rate of 9600.
Enhanced first generation Ranger Loggers use a rate of 19200 or 9600.
For second generation Loggers use a rate of 115200 or 57600.

For USB connected Loggers.

For the PM7000 select a rate of 921600.

Notes for first generation Loggers.

If you are not sure that a first generation Logger has enhanced serial communications firmware, select 38400 baud anyway. Pronto still talks to the Logger at 9600 and during playback the rate is increased to 38400 but only if the Logger supports it.

You may select 19200 baud with a first generation Logger but experience has shown this rate is often unreliable.

You cannot use 38400 baud for a first generation Logger when using a modem.

Notes for second generation Loggers.

Some serial ports particularly those on laptops do not correctly support 115200 baud.

Rates of 115200 and higher are prone to data errors particularly in electrically noisy environments or with cables longer than a few meters.

Standard serial ports do not support 230400 baud. You may select this rate when using a USB to serial converter, serial to Ethernet converter or an after-market serial plug in card that supports it.

It has been noticed that some serial to USB convertors allow selection of 230400 baud but the output drivers distort the data waveform and prevent reliable communication.

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