diff --git a/crpptbx/AUG/read_ech_py.m b/crpptbx/AUG/read_ech_py.m
index 5945b5db010f01a299865f575922856c6f77eb4c..56018c79d2688021f3cd8f00b3f745caafbcbeb7 100644
--- a/crpptbx/AUG/read_ech_py.m
+++ b/crpptbx/AUG/read_ech_py.m
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ function [torbeam] = read_ech_py(shot,varargin);
 % transforms ECS/ECN into theta,phi of Torbeam
 %
 % varargin{1}: time array for Torbeam relevant data output
+% varargin{2}: min_power_on to decide if the beam was on at a given time (default P>=2e3)
 %
 torbeam.rfmod = - ones(1,8); % 1 for O-mode, -1 for X-mode
 torbeam.tb_par.('xxb') =  [238., 238., 231.1, 231.1, 236.4, 236.4, 236.4 ,236.4];
@@ -154,7 +155,11 @@ for igy=1:ecsystems(isys)
   end
 end
 
-min_power_on = 10;
+if nargin>=3 && ~isempty(varargin{2})
+  min_power_on = varargin{2};
+else
+  min_power_on = 2e3;
+end
 torbeam.beam_on = false.*ones(size(torbeam.power_t));
 torbeam.beam_on(torbeam.power_t >= min_power_on) = true;
 torbeam.t_some_beam_on = torbeam.t(any(torbeam.beam_on,1));