Installation Manual. APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) APS America. Version / Hostmark St. Ste 104; Poulsbo, WA 98370

Transcription

1 Installation Manual APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) Version /2013 APS America 1015 Hostmark St. Ste 104; Poulsbo, WA TEL: WEB:

2 Table of Contents APS Energy Communication Unit Introduction 1 Installation Procedures 2 Step 1 - Connect the APS Communicator to the local router 2-3 Step 2 Power on the ECU 4 Step 3 - Using the ECU to search for Micro-Inverters 5-7 Step 4 - Check power of Microinverters 8 Step 5 Configure Time Zone 8 APS EMA Set-up 9 iii

3 APS ECU Introduction Congratulations on your new solar power array! Your new APS Micro- Inverters are configured to maximize the output of your solar modules to the power grid. The APS Communicator, or Energy Communication Unit (ECU), is designed to monitor the power being generated and sent to your meter. It then analyzes that information and sends it to APS s servers so that it can be displayed on any web-enabled device. While the APS Communicator is not essential to the generation of your solar power, it is very useful as a tool to remotely monitor your system s output. The ECU communicates with the APS Microinverters in your array through your home wiring. If there are general grounding issues in your home wiring such as loose ground wires in your outlets, or the home itself is not property grounded, there may be additional noise in the line (the equivalent of listening to a radio station that has static). Depending on the level of line noise, the ECU may have trouble hearing the Microinverters from time to time. Much of the advice that follows is designed to reduce the line noise. The purpose of this manual is to help you install the APS Communicator (ECU) and to help you understand some of the issues that can create potential problems with the proper operation of your device. After receiving the signal, the ECU will use your home Internet connection to relay this information so it can be provided remotely to your web-enabled device. Other parts of this section will help with potential issues with your home s Internet system. WARNING: This indicates a situation where failure to follow instructions may cause risk of serious hardware failure or personal danger. Use extreme caution when performing this task. WARNING SYMBOL NOTE: This indicates information that is important for optimized Microinverter performance. Follow these instructions closely. NOTE SYMBOL APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) Installation/User Manual PAGE 1

4 Installation Procedures Step 1 - Connect the APS Communicator (ECU) to the local Router There are two components connecting the ECU: the Ethernet connections to the local route the power plug The ECU will first try to connect to the Internet before looking for Microinverter signals, so it is best to start there: OPTION 1: Wired LAN connection Use the LAN Cable (supplied) to connect ECU to a Broadband Router. This is the easiest solution and should work in most homes. OPTION 2: Wi-Fi connection Use a Wi-Fi Bridge to connect the ECU to a Broadband Router. The ECU does not have a built in Wi-Fi Bridge, so this will have to be purchased separately. The main advantage to a Wi-Fi Bridge is that it allows the ECU to be plugged into a wall outlet that is either out of sight or is very close to the service panel, further reducing the line noise. Configure the Wi-Fi Bridge to connect to the Wireless Router. Please refer to Wi-Fi Bridge User Manual for instructions. NOTE: Wi-Fi Bridge systems are optional. The Bridge consists of two parts, one at the ECU location and one at the local Router/modem. Wi-Fi Bridges are used in systems that are located far enough from the local Internet connection (Router/modem) that it is impractical or not a good cosmetic solution to run wire. Connect the RJ45 LAN Cable and USB Cable on the Wi-Fi Bridge to the RJ45 Port and USB Port on the ECU. Next, connect the Router/modem to the second half of the Wi-Fi Bridge. Use of a Wi-Fi Bridge may require a network technician to install or advise on the configuration. When testing the Internet connection, be sure the ECU is plugged into a wall outlet Connect the APS Communicator to the local router... continued on next page APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) Installation/User Manual 2

5 CONNECT THE APS COMMUNICATOR TO THE LOCAL ROUTER... The ECU will automatically obtain the IP address (example: ) and connect to the Internet. If the IP address shows , it means the ECU failed to acquire an IP address. After making sure the connection between the ECU and the Router/ modem is working well, reboot the ECU (remove the power plug from the unit, wait 10 seconds and plug in the unit AC cable again) and it will obtain IP address. NOTE: OPTION 1 or OPTION 2 can be tested by plugging either the Ethernet cable or the Wi-Fi jack into another computer instead of the ECU. Perform a successful internet search to a web site with which you are familiar. APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) Installation/User Manual 3

6 Step 2- Power-on ECU Wait until the solar array has been installed and connected to your power grid: if you plug your APS Communicator unit in before the modules have started operating, you may get invalid data. The Communicator is designed to search for certain signatures (Microinverter signals) for the first 5 to 10 minutes. Once it finishes that cycle, it ceases to search for new signals. If the system was not operational, you will need to unplug the APS Communicator (ECU), and start over again. WARNING: Do not plug the ECU into a power strip, surge protector, or uninterruptable power supply (UPS). For best performance, do not use an outlet shared with a power strip or surge protector. Keep such devices far away from the ECU, as they can substantially diminish communication performance by increasing line noise. Plug the AC power cord into the AC input on the ECU, then plug the other end in-to a dedicated wall outlet (NOT a power strip, surge protector or UPS). WARNING: Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the ECU. APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) Installation/User Manual 4

7 Step 3: Using the ECU to search for Microinverters IMPORTANT!!!! In this next step you will learn how to use your computer to look at the ECU. You will set the correct time zone and search for Microinverters and work to get the complete lineup of your Microinverters so they can be correctly displayed on your website. You should have a copy of the installation warranty card sheet which includes all the Microinverter serial numbers and the location of each PV module associated with that unit. ENTERING INVERTER ID NUMBERS INTO THE ECU MANUALLY 1. Using a computer that is connected to the Internet, enter the IP address displayed on the ECU display into the Internet Browser (for example: ).. This should bring up the screen below: Using the ECU to search for Microinverters... continued on next page APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) Installation/User Manual 5

8 USING THE ECU TO SEARCH FOR MICROINVERTERS Click on Administration 3. Click the ID Management, and then click on Clear ID Using the ECU to search for Microinverters... continued on next page APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) Installation/User Manual 6

9 USING THE ECU TO SEARCH FOR MICROINVERTERS Two methods are used: a. BATCH: Open a spreadsheet (such as Excel) and enter all the complete, 12-digit UID/Serial Numbers (example: ) into a single column. Carefully check these numbers for accuracy. Copy and paste these into the Input Inverter ID: box. b. SINGLE INPUT: Type the Serial Number of each Microinverter into the Input Inverter ID box. 5. Click OK. The page will respond with a list in a column acknowledging the input. The ECU will now search for these units. The ECU will take up to 15 minutes to find and connect to the Microinverters. If the process takes more then 15 minutes the building electrical wiring system may require troubleshooting. APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) Installation/User Manual 7

10 Step 4 - Check power of the Microinverters 1. Click Real Time Data from the ECU Home, to view the real-time power of all Microinverters. 2. If a Microinverter does not appear on the list, further systems troubleshooting may be necessary. 3. If a Microinverter shows abnormal power different from other units (example: 2W), further systems troubleshooting may be necessary. Step 5 - Configure Time Zone The ECU-NA has the default time-zone set at US/Pacific. Click Administration, then Date, Time, Time Zone. Scroll down and select the US/Pacific time zone. APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) Installation/User Manual 8

11 APS EMA Setup 1. The Installer should have already completed the APS Warranty Card. 2. Installer places Inverter UID/SN stickers or hand-writes the information into the Map page in a configuration which physically represents the panel layout. 3. Installer scans and s the APS Installation Map and APS Warranty Card to emasupport@altenergy-power.com. 4. The ECU UID/SN is necessary to setup the account and should be annotated in the document. 5. Within 2 business days after receiving the , APS will setup your EMA account with a User Name and Password, and the account information and APS Warranty Card to the customer and the installer. NOTE: The Installer will have a logon that will allow access to your account. APS Energy Communication Unit (ECU) Installation/User Manual 9