Metrics Explorer

The Metrics Explorer provides powerful tools for querying, visualizing, and analyzing your energy system data using PromQL (Prometheus Query Language).

Overview

What is Metrics Explorer?

A simple interface that allows you to:

• Select a location to view metrics from
• Choose time ranges for data analysis
• Browse available metrics for that location
• Understand metric scales and values
• Design and test alert rules

When to Use Metrics Explorer

• Explore what metrics are available at a location
• Understand typical value ranges for metrics
• Test alert rule conditions before creating them
• View historical data trends
• Investigate specific time periods

Accessing Metrics

Navigation

1. Click Metrics in the main menu
2. Or go to Alerts → Metrics
3. Opens the metrics explorer interface

Interface Components

• Location Selector: Choose which location to view metrics from
• Time Range Selector: Choose data window (last hour, day, week, etc.)
• Metric Browser: Browse available metrics for the selected location
• Graph Panel: Visualize metric data over time
• Value Display: Current and historical values

Understanding Metrics

Metric Naming Convention

AERL Cloud metrics follow the device message structure:

<message_name>_<signal_name>

Examples:

• aerl_srx_pv_voltage (Solar panel voltage)
• aerl_srx_pv_current (Solar panel current)
• aerl_srx_output_voltage (Controller output voltage)
• aerl_srx_temperature_heatsink (Temperature sensor)

Common Metric Types

• Gauges: Current values (voltage, temperature)
• Counters: Cumulative values (energy, runtime)
• Histograms: Distribution data (response times)

Using the Metrics Explorer

Basic Usage

1. Select Location: Choose the location you want to explore
2. Choose Time Range: Select from preset ranges or set custom dates
3. Browse Metrics: View available metrics for that location
4. Select Metric: Click on a metric to view its data
5. Analyze Data: Review the graph and values to understand the metric

Understanding Metric Values

• Current Value: Most recent measurement
• Historical Range: Min/max values over selected time period
• Typical Scale: Normal operating ranges for the metric
• Data Availability: Whether the metric has data for the location

Time Range Options

• Last 12 hours
• Last 24 hours
• Last week

Common Use Cases

Understanding Solar Performance

• View aerl_srx_pv_voltage to understand solar panel voltage ranges
• Check aerl_srx_pv_current to see charging current patterns
• Monitor aerl_srx_output_voltage for battery charging levels
• Review daily patterns to understand solar generation cycles

Equipment Health Monitoring

• Check aerl_srx_temperature_heatsink for overheating patterns
• Monitor temperature trends over different time periods
• Identify normal operating ranges vs concerning values
• Understand seasonal temperature variations

Alert Rule Development

• Use metrics explorer to find normal value ranges
• Test thresholds before creating alert rules
• Understand metric behavior over time
• Identify appropriate warning and error levels

Troubleshooting Issues

• Check metric availability for specific time periods
• Compare values before and after reported issues
• Understand if problems are recent or ongoing
• Verify data is being collected properly

Visualization

Graph Display

• Line Graph: Shows metric values over the selected time range
• Y-Axis: Automatically scales to show all data points
• Units: Displays appropriate units for each metric type
• Time Axis: Shows timestamps for data points

Data Interpretation

• Trends: Identify patterns over time (daily cycles, seasonal changes)
• Ranges: Understand normal operating values vs outliers
• Gaps: See periods where data wasn't collected
• Scale: Get familiar with typical metric magnitudes

Troubleshooting

No Data Available

• Verify the location has devices sending data
• Check the selected time range includes when devices were active
• Ensure gateways are online and communicating
• Confirm devices are properly configured

Missing Metrics

• Some metrics may not be available for all device types
• Check if devices at the location support the desired metric
• Verify devices are connected and communicating properly

Understanding Values

• Refer to device documentation for normal operating ranges
• Consider environmental factors that affect readings
• Contact support if metric values seem unexpected

Next Steps

• Create alert rules using insights from metrics exploration
• View device details for more comprehensive monitoring
• Set up notifications based on metric thresholds
• Manage locations to organize your monitoring