Reading the 9388A display

Six readings, one knob

The front panel has a two-digit LED window. Turn the knob and it cycles through six readings. That top-level loop is yours to browse anytime.

ID: Instantaneous Demand

Real-time kilowatts flowing into the house right now. It jumps around constantly as the refrigerator, the oven, and the AC cycle on and off. Useful for a quick sanity check that the system is measuring power. Not useful for judging your bill.

AD: Average Demand

The rolling average your utility is effectively measuring. On SRP plans that window is 30 minutes. On APS plans it is 60 minutes. Your installer set this to match your rate plan and it is locked.

This is the reading that tracks reality. A brief ID spike may barely move AD, which is exactly why a short burst of load is usually survivable.

PD: Peak Demand (on-peak)

The highest average demand recorded during on-peak hours this billing period. This is the number that sets your demand charge, and it is the number your whole system exists to hold down. Check it occasionally. If it is well above your Demand Limit, something is worth a phone call.

DL: Demand Limit

Your target ceiling, and the only setting you adjust. Change it in 0.5 kW increments and wait at least an hour between changes.

If DL shows "OFF," that is normal. It means you are currently in an off-peak period and the system is not controlling loads. Press the button to view the limit value, and the display returns to OFF.

LS: Load Status

A row of bars showing which relay channels are currently on and which are held off. This is the fastest way to see whether the system has actually commanded a load off, which matters when you are troubleshooting.

CL: Clock

The time. Your system is time-dependent, so a wrong clock means the wrong on-peak window, which means control at the wrong hours. Arizona does not observe daylight saving time and your unit is configured for that. If the clock ever looks wrong, call support rather than correcting it yourself.

After a power outage

When power returns, the unit sheds every controlled load, then restores them roughly one per minute.

This is intentional. The system is measuring your baseline before it starts controlling. Watch the LS display and you will see the bars come back one at a time. A few quiet minutes after an outage is expected behavior, not a fault.

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Questions about your own setup? Call toll free (888) 461-9336, direct (970) 461-9600, or email help@energysentry.com. Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Arizona time.