Knowledge Base

The Counter Log stores counter values from the configuration and displays them over different time intervals. Counter Logs are usually used for values that continuously increase over time, such as energy consumption, water consumption, gas consumption, heat meters, pulse counters, or other metering values.

Logged counter data can be displayed in graphs, allowing users to review consumption history, compare usage between different periods, and monitor trends over time.

Counter Logs are especially useful for energy monitoring and reporting, where users need a clear overview of how much energy or resources were used during a selected hour, day, week, month, or year.

Table of contents

Log Settings

Input Value can be linked to any object value of type double, integer and boolean. If the input value is boolean type, then the number of impulses (lead edge switching) is counted.

Ignore Countdown setting prevents writing the negative counter values to database (e.g. when the meter is reset to 0). Filter Counter Resets function can be used when meter measuring the input values is replaced with new one or is reset to zero. This will create an inconsistency in the measured data (will be calculated as change in consumption). 

By calling the Filter Counter Resets the database is rewritten to compensate for the change.

Data can be scaled (Scaling) before it is written to database.

Entries are displayed under Data tab and it can be backed up, restored, exported and filtered using buttons in the toolbar.

When a meter sends the actual total counter value, the Counter Log will use the received input value as the first total value.

This means the log does not need to start from zero. Instead, it can continue from the current meter reading and use that value as the starting point for future logging.

The Write Interval can also be adjusted. This defines how often bOS writes the counter value into the log.

The interval is not limited to one hour. It can be changed depending on the project requirements, allowing values to be logged in different time intervals, such as shorter intervals for detailed monitoring or longer intervals for general consumption reporting.

Log Values

The Counter Log automatically provides several calculated values that can be used in the project.

Available calculated values include:

• Total Value

• Last 24 Hours

• Today Count

• Yesterday Count

• Weekly Daily Average

• Daily Average

• This Month Count

• Previous Month Count

• Monthly Average

These values can be displayed directly in the user interface to show clear consumption information, such as today’s usage, yesterday’s usage, monthly consumption, or average daily consumption.

They can also be used in other tasks, such as Program tasks, alerts, reports, or automation logic.

For example, bOS can use these calculated values to alert users when consumption is unusually high, compare current consumption with previous periods, or send monthly consumption reports by email.

This makes Counter Logs useful not only for storing historical data, but also for creating practical energy monitoring, reporting, and automation functions.

Visualization Settings

Logs can be displayed in the bOS Client app by dragging and dropping the log node into the Theme.

After the log is added to the Theme, its visual appearance can be customized. Users can add a title, set the X and Y axis labels, define the displayed unit, change the graph color, and adjust other visual settings.

It is also possible to display multiple logs in the same graph. This is useful when comparing related values, such as energy consumption between different meters, temperatures in different rooms, or multiple measured values over the same time period.

Displaying logs in the Theme allows users to review historical data directly from the visualization and quickly understand trends, changes, and consumption patterns.

Counter Log Visualization

After the log is configured in bOS Configurator and added to the Theme, users can open the log directly in the bOS Client visualization to review the recorded data.

Selecting the log in the visualization opens a detailed overview of the logged values. This allows users to analyze consumption, trends, changes, and historical data directly from the client interface.

Using the bottom menu, users can switch between different time views, such as:

• Day

• Week

• Month

• Year

• All

This makes it easy to review both short-term and long-term data.

The buttons in the top-right corner allow users to export the logged data and save it to a PC for further analysis.

The first export option saves the data as a .csv file. This file can be opened in Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet software for review, filtering, calculations, and reporting.

The second export option saves the data as a .db file. This database file can be opened with a compatible SQL database reader for more advanced analysis or backup purposes.

Statistics

Selecting the Statistics function on the top right, it will display all including data entries, values at each time point, minimum value, maximum value, and average value. Users can select the desired time frame and download the log data as a .db or .csv file. Under Data Entries, users can select between different logs if multiple logs are available in the graph.

To display a larger or more specific time period, use the Time Frame option on the right side of the statistics window. This allows users to select the starting and ending date for the displayed data.

Minimum and maximum values are also highlighted in the menu, making it easier to quickly identify the lowest and highest recorded values within the selected time frame.