The New USA Daylight Saving Time
Basic daylight saving time information.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005:
Beginning in 2007, daylight saving time will begin three weeks earlier, on the second Sunday in March, and extend it by one week to the first Sunday in November.
| Year | DST begins 2 a.m. | DST ends 2 a.m. |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | April 3 | October 30 |
| 2006 | April 2 | October 29 |
| 2007 | March 11 | November 4 |
| 2008 | March 9 | November 2 |
How does this affect Arbiter Systems' products:
| Model | DST capability | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 928 | Manual time configuration, no automatic DST. | No changes. The time may be changed manually. |
| 929A | Supports current daylight saving time method only. | No changes. The time may be changed manually. |
| 930A | Supports current daylight saving time method only. | No changes. The time may be changed manually. |
| 931A | Supports current daylight saving time method only. | No changes. The time may be changed manually. |
| 933 | Manual time configuration. Manual DST configuration. | No changes. The DST start and stop times may be changed manually every year. |
| 1040 | No clock or time support. | No changes. |
| 1062 | Supports current daylight saving time method only. | No changes. The time may be changed manually. |
| 1084A/B/C | Supports current daylight saving time method only. | Firmware upgrade. |
| 1085A | Obsolete GOES product: supports current daylight saving time method with GPS conversion kit. Kit is also obsolete. | Recommend updating to newer GPS hardware. Workaround: turn off DST and manually change the local offset twice a year or use UTC. |
| 1088A | Supports current daylight saving time method only. | Firmware upgrade. May require GPS receiver upgrade. Contact the factory |
| 1088B | Supports current daylight saving time method only. | Firmware upgrade. |
| 1092A/B/C | Supports current daylight saving time method and the proposed method by using the CUSTOM DST feature. | Firmware upgrade. |
| 1093A/B/C | Supports current daylight saving time method and the proposed method by using the CUSTOM DST feature. | Firmware upgrade. |
| 1133 | Supports current daylight saving time method only. | Firmware upgrade. |
GPS product firmware upgrades:
The tentative plan is to change the DST selections to OFF, ON, and AUTO. AUTO will become a manually configurable date that is similar to the existing Model 1093A/B/C AUTO-CUSTOM feature. Arbiter Systems will ship clocks with AUTO configured for the existing DST settings. After October 2006, you will have to configure the new DST settings. This configuration will only have to be completed one time unless DST changes again.
This solution will involve a firmware ROM replacement. Some older GPS clocks may also require a receiver upgrade. It may be best to wait until after October 29, 2006 to upgrade the GPS clocks that only require the firmware replacement. That way the chip change and new DST settings can be completed in one trip to the substation.
All Arbiter Systems clocks have two DST work-arounds available. The first is to manually change the local offset and the second is to manually turn the DST feature on/off.
| NOTE: If your clock was purchased through Bailey Network Management or ABB Network Management then contact their support staff before performing any upgrade. The old format used by ABBNM was 34±XXXXX. The new format is 34±XXXXXX. Failure to contact ABBNM before performing the upgrade may cause undue stress and headache. | ABB Network Management 1601 Industrial Blvd. Sugar Land, Texas U.S. Phone: 281-274-5000 |
GPS product firmware upgrade costs:
| Procedure | Fee structure |
|---|---|
| Customer replaces the firmware ROMs themselves using the instruction sheets listed below and returns the old ROMs to the factory. 1088A/B instructions 1084A/B/C instructions 1092A/BC & 1093A/B/C instructions Option 28 instructions | Free ROM and Free shipping via the US Postal Service. Customer is responsible for return shipping charges. |
| Under warranty: customer wants to return the clock for update. Full warranty terms/procedures apply for shipping, etc. | Free ROM + shipping charges* |
| Out of warranty: customer wants to return the clock for update. Full warranty terms/procedures apply for shipping, etc. | Standard clock repair charge + shipping charges* |