ABB VSN300 Product Manual

ABB solar inverters

Product Manual

VSN300 Wifi Logger Card (FW 1.8.9)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This manual contains important safety instructions that must be followed during the installation and maintenance of the equipment.

Operators are required to read this manual and scrupulously follow the instructions given in it, since ABB cannot be held responsible for damage caused to people and/or things, or the equipment, if the conditions described below are not observed.

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Product Manual

VSN300 Wifi Logger Card

1 - Introduction and general information

2 - Characteristics

3 - Safety and accident prevention

4 - Lifting and transport

5 - Installation

6 - Instruments

7 - Operation

8 - Maintenance

VSN300 Wifi Logger Card-Product manual EN-RevA(M000026AG)

EFFECTIVE 07/07/2015

© Copyright 2015 ABB. All Rights Reserved.

- 3 -

Introduction and general information

1

W

arranty and Supply Conditions

The warranty conditions are considered to be valid if the customer adheres to the indications in this manual; any conditions deviating from those described herein must be expressly agreed in the purchase order.

The equipment complies with the pertinent legislation currently in force in the country of installation and it has issued the corresponding declaration of conformity.

N

ot included in the supply

ABB accepts no liability for failure to comply with the instructions for correct installation and will not be held responsible for systems upstream or downstream the equipment it has supplied.

It is absolutely forbidden to modify the equipment. Any modification, manipulation, or alteration not expressly agreed with the manufacturer, concerning either hardware or software, shall result in the immediate cancellation of the warranty.

The Customer is fully liable for any modifications made to the system.

Given the countless array of system configurations and installation environments possible, it is essential to check the following: sufficient space suitable for housing the equipment; airborne noise produced depending on the environment; potential flammability hazards.

ABB will NOT be held liable for defects or malfunctions arising from: improper use of the equipment; deterioration resulting from transportation or particular environmental conditions; performing maintenance incorrectly or not at all; tampering or unsafe repairs; use or installation by unqualified persons.

ABB will NOT be held responsible for the disposal of: displays, cables, batteries, accumulators etc. The Customer shall therefore arrange for the disposal of substances potentially harmful to the environment in accordance with the legislation in force in the country of installation.

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1 - Introduction and general information

T

able of Contents

I ntroduction and general information ............................................................................................... 4

Warranty and Supply Conditions ..........................................................................................................4

Not included in the supply .......................................................................................................

4

Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................5

Reference number index .......................................................................................................................7

Graphical representation of references ...............................................................................................7

The document and who it is for ...........................................................................................................8

Purpose and structure of the document .................................................................................8

List of annexes .......................................................................................................................8

Staff characteristics .................................................................................................................8

Symbols ad signs ...................................................................................................................................9

Field of use, general conditions ........................................................................................................10

Intended or allowed use ........................................................................................................10

Limits in field of use ...............................................................................................................10

Improper or prohibited use ...................................................................................................10

FCC Warning (Federal Communications Commission) .......................................................11

C haracteristics .................................................................................................................................12

General conditions ...............................................................................................................................12

Models and range of equipment .........................................................................................................13

Identification of the equipment and manufacturer ................................................................13

Characteristics and technical data .....................................................................................................15

Operating diagram ................................................................................................................................16

S afety and accident prevention .....................................................................................................17

Safety instructions and general information ....................................................................................17

I

L ifting and transport ........................................................................................................................18

General conditions ...............................................................................................................................18

Transport and handling .......................................................................................................18

Lifting .....................................................................................................................................18

Unpacking and checking ......................................................................................................18

List of components supplied .................................................................................................19

nstallation .........................................................................................................................................20

General conditions ..............................................................................................................................20

Environmental checks ...........................................................................................................21

Recommendations for the Wi-Fi signal power ......................................................................23

Preliminary operations .........................................................................................................................24

Mechanical installation ........................................................................................................................25

Installation of the antenna .....................................................................................................25

Installation of the board .........................................................................................................26

Software setup ......................................................................................................................................29

Connection to the home Wi-Fi network ...............................................................................29

First system and user setup ..................................................................................................

35

I nstruments ........................................................................................................................................40


LED behaviour ......................................................................................................................................41

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O peration ..........................................................................................................................................42


Internal Web Server ..............................................................................................................................43

Connection with User account .............................................................................................

43

Connection with Admin account ...........................................................................................49

Resetting passwords .............................................................................................................

57

Modbus TCP Gateway Functionality .................................................................................................59

Role of the Sunspec Adapter software .................................................................................59

Modbus TCP Commands ....................................................................................................61

Modbus TCP register map ....................................................................................................61

Firmware Update Function .................................................................................................................62

Updates from the Internet .....................................................................................................63

Local update ..........................................................................................................................64

M aintenance .....................................................................................................................................66


Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................67

Event codes ...........................................................................................................................................68

Storage and dismantling ....................................................................................................................69

Storage of the equipment or prolonged stop ........................................................................69

Dismantling, decommissioning and disposal ........................................................................69

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2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1

R

eference number index

, Antenna connection cable

, Antenna (RF Technology Corp. Model EA-79 F RP SMA)

, Connection terminals

, Power supply led

, Status led 2

, Status led 1

, Coaxial connector

, Mechanical mounting bracket

G

raphical representation of references

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1


J2

U7 U7

U11 U11

U3 U3

24

23

U8 U8

J1

2

1

- 7 -

1- Introduction and general information

T

he document and who it is for

P

urpose and structure of the document

This operating and maintenance manual is a useful guide that will enable you to work safely and carry out the operations necessary for keeping the equipment in good working order.

If the equipment is used in a manner not specified in the installer manual, the protection pro vided by the equipment may be impaired.

The language in which the document was originally written is ITALIAN; therefore, in the event of inconsistencies or doubts please ask the manufacturer for the original document.

L

ist of annexes

In addition to this operating and maintenance manual, (if applicable or on request) the following enclosed documentation is supplied:

- EC declaration of conformity

- quick installation guide

WARNING: Part of the information given in this document is taken from the original documents of the suppliers. This document contains only the information considered necessary for the use and routine maintenance of the equipment.

S

taff characteristics

The customer must make sure that the operator has the necessary skill and training to do his/ her job. Personnel in charge of using and maintaining the equipment must be expert, aware and skilled for the described tasks and must reliably demonstrate their capacity to correctly interpret what is described in the manual.

For safety reasons, only a qualified electrician who has received training and/or demonstra ted skills and knowledge on the structure and operation of the unit may install the inverter.

The installation must be performed by qualified installers and/or licensed electricians in ac cordance with the existing regulations in the country of installation.

The employment of a person who is NOT qualified, is drunk, or on narcotics, is strictly forbid den.

The customer has civil liability for the qualification and mental or physical state of the professional figures who interact with the equipment. They must always use the personal protective equipment required by the laws of the country of destination and whatever is provided by their employer.

- 8 -

1- Introduction and general information

S

ymbols ad signs

In the manual and/or in some cases on the equipment, the danger or hazard zones are indicated with signs, labels, symbols or icons.

Table: Symbols

This points out that it is mandatory to consult the manual or original document, which must be available for future use and must not be damaged in any way.

Generic hazard - Important safety information. This points out operations or situations in which staff must be very careful.

Hazardous voltage - This points out operations or situations in which staff must be very careful due to hazardous voltage.

Hot parts - This points out a hazard due to the presence of heated areas or in any case areas that have hot parts (danger of burns).

This points out that the examined area must not be entered or that the described operation must not be carried out.

IP20 IP65

This points out that it is mandatory to carry out the described operations using the clothing and/or personal protective equipment provided by the employer.

This indicates the degree of protection of the equipment according to

IEC standard 70-1 (EN 60529 June 1997).

Point of connection for grounding protection.

This indicates the allowed temperature range

5 10

This indicates the risk of electric shock. Time need to discharge stored energy: 5/10 minutes

Respectively direct current and alternating current

Isolating transformer present or not present

Positive pole and negative pole of the input voltage (DC)

This indicates the centre of gravity of the equipment.

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F

ield of use, general conditions

ABB accepts no liability for damage of any kind that may arise from incorrect or careless operations.

You may not use the equipment for a use that does not conform to that provided for in the field of use. The equipment MUST NOT be used by inexperienced staff, or even experienced staff if carrying out operations on the equipment that fail to comply with the indications in this manual and enclosed documentation.

I

ntended or allowed use

This equipment is an expansion board for ABB inverters designed to: allow the inverter to connect to a local LAN network via a wireless connection.

Through internet access, the data is transferred to the Aurora Vision® Plant Management Platform to remotely access and monitor the plant.

L

imits in field of use

The device cannot be used in environments where there are particular restrictions on the use of radio waves.

The device used to transmit data to the Aurora Vision® Plant Management Platform requires a router connected to Internet (the cost of connection is to be paid by the end user).

The device can be installed in inverters produced by other manufacturers or in ABB models which can accommodate this type of expansion.

The device can be used only if all the technical characteristics are observed.

The device is only designed for residential use.

I

mproper or prohibited use

IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO:

• Installing the equipment in environments with particular flammability conditions or in adverse or disallowed environmental conditions (temperature and humidity).

• Use the equipment with safety devices which are faulty or disabled.

• Use the equipment or parts of the equipment by linking it to other machines or equipment, unless expressly provided for.

• Modify operating parameters that are not accessible to the operator and/or parts of the equipment to vary its performance or change its insulation.

• Clean the equipment with corrosive products that may corrode parts or generate electrostatic charges.

• Use or install the appliance or parts of it without having read and understood the contents of the user and maintenance manual.

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F

CC Warning (Federal Communications Commission)

This devices complies with Part 15 of the FCC standard Operation is subject to the following conditions:

1. This device cannot cause harmful disturbances.

2. The device has to accept any disturbance it receives, including disturbance which could compromise correct device operation.

This equipment has been tested and is compliant with the limits for digital devices of Class B, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC standard. These limits are designed to provide a protection against harmful disturbances in residential installations. This equipment generates, uses and emits radio-frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, can cause harmful damage to radio communication.

However, the is no guarantee that disturbances in a particular installation may occur. If this equipment causes harmful disturbances to radio or television reception which could be determined when the equipment is switched on and off, the user is invited to attempt to correct the disturbance with one of the following measures:

- Reposition or change the direction of the reception antenna.

- Increase the distance between the equipment and the receiver.

- Connect the device to a different circuit socket to that one used for the receiver.

- Contact the dealer or a radio / television technician for assistance.

RF exposure. This devices complies with Part 2,1091 of the FCC standard for uncontrolled environments. This equipment must be installed and used with a minimum distance between the antenna and the user of at least 20 cm.

Refer to the specific section which describes the procedures for integrating and using this device inside a fixed inverter.

Any modifications made to this equipment, unless expressly authorized by the manufacturer, may invalidate FCC authorization for using the equipment.

- 11 -

Characteristics

2

G

eneral conditions

A description of the characteristics of the equipment is given so as to identify its main components and specify the technical terminology used in the manual.

Technical terminology and the fast retrieval system for information, are supported by:

• Contents

• Reference number index

The Characteristics chapter contains information about the models, details of the equipment, characteristics and technical data, overall dimensions and identification of the equipment itself.

The customer/Installer takes full responsibility if, when reading this manual, the chronological order of its presentation established by the manufacturer is not observed. All information is provided considering occasional inclusion of that provided in previous chapters.

In certain cases, there may be a need to separately document software functionality or attach supplementary documentation to this manual intended for more qualified professionals.

- 12 -

M

odels and range of equipment

The device dealt with in this manual is available in a single version suitable for all countries of installation.

The list of compatible converters and the functions released for each inverter model is indicated in a separate document “Inverter Compatibility

Matrix” which is available from the official ABB website ( http://www.abb.

com/solarinverters ) in the Monitoring and Communication section

I

dentification of the equipment and manufacturer

The technical data provided in this manual does not substitute the data supplied on the labels affixed to the equipment.

The labels affixed to the equipment must NOT be removed, damaged, stained, hidden, etc., for any reason whatsoever.

Contains FCC ID: X6W-3N16E

Contains FCC ID: X6W-3N16M

The following information which is useful in identifying the product, is printed on the printed circuit of the VSN300 Wifi Logger Card:

- Manufacturer's Trade Mark

- CE Marking (European Union)

- RCM Marking (Australia)

- FCC ID

The FCC ID is: X6W-3N16E when the device is assembled with the Wi-Fi radio module supplied by Epcos

The FCC ID is: X6W-3N16M when the device is assembled with the Wi-

Fi radio module supplied by Murata

An FCC ID label is supplied and must be positioned where it is clearly visible on the outside of the inverter in which the board is installed.

- 13 -

2 - Characteristics

In addition to the information printed on the printed circuit, there is also a label on the packaging which can be removed and has other important information:

Manufacturer's identification

Model identification

Serial number consisting of:

YY = year of manufacture

WW = week of manufacture

SSSSSS = sequential number

MAC address of the device

Product code consisting of 16 characters. This is required order to activate the device

ABB

VSN300 WIFI LOGGER CARD

SN: YYWWSSSSSS

MAC: XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX

PRODUCT KEY: XXXX - XXXX - XXXX - XXXX

The identification label must be kept and should be placed in a dedicated area inside the quick installation guide supplied with the product.

- 14 -

C

haracteristics and technical data

Table: Technical Data

Communication

Inverter Interface

User Interface

Communication protocols

LAN/WAN Protocols

Data Registration

Web user interface

VSN300 Wifi Logger Card

Hyperlink (CAN@1 Mbps + RS485@115 kBaud) / Legacy (RS232 TTL @ 19.2

KBaud)

Wi-Fi Certified™ IEEE 802.11 b/g/n (2,4 GHz)

HTTPS, DHCP, NTP, SSL, SSH, XML, Modbus TCP (Sunspec)

Integrated

Google Chrome ver. 39.x or subsequent

Permitted remotely with any Wi-Fi ® device connected to the integrated WUI or starting Plant Viewer for Mobile

Plant Portfolio Manager ® / Plant Viewer™ / Plant Viewer for Mobile

Local monitoring

Remote monitoring

Data Registration Specifications

Frequency of Data sampling

Local filing

Updatability

Advanced functions

O & M remote operations

Smart Grid Function

Power

DC Direct current draw

Environmental parameters

Ambient temperature

Environmental protection

Relative Humidity

Mechanical parameters (per unit)

Dimensions (H x W x D)

Weight

Assembly system

Conformity

Marking

Emissions

Immunity

High frequency data sampling (an average of less than 1 minute)

30-day data log based on 15 minute intervals

Remote via Aurora Vision® Plant Management Platform / local via Web user

Interface (1)

Changing inverter parameters (2) / Updating inverter firmware (2)

Grid control power-management enabled (2)

~ 2W

-20°C...+85°C

IP 20

< 85% w/o condensation

97mm x 46mm x 16mm (3.81’ x 1.81’ x 0.63’)

0.06 lbs (26g)

Inverter expansion slot

CE / RCM / Wi-Fi Certified™

47 CFR FCC Part 15 Subpart C, EN 55022 Conducted and radiated emissions

EN55024

1. Available from Firmware version FW 1.8.x

2. Check availability

The technical data refers to the product with the Firmware version as identified on the cover of the manual.

Any subsequent firmware updates can change the product characteristics and operation.

- 15 -

2 - Characteristics

O

perating diagram

The plant diagram shows how the VSN300 Wifi Logger Card allows the inverter to connect to a LAN local network using a Wi-Fi wireless connection.

The VSN300 Wifi Logger Card features an integrated webserver that enables to establish a direct connection to a PC, smartphone or tablet, allowing for board setup and local monitoring of the inverter.

The setup of the board can also be carried out using a smartphone or tablet on which the Plant Viewer for Mobile App has been installed

(therefore, avoiding the need for accessing the Web interface).

When the inverter is connected to the WLAN network with access to the

Internet, the device allows data to be transferred to the Aurora Vision®

CLOUD platform for Internet monitoring using the Plant Portfolio Manager

/ Plant Viewer / Plant viewer for Mobile.

Plant Viewer for Mobile

VSN300 Wifi Logger Card operating diagram

Plant Portfolio Manager /

Plant Viewer / Plant Viewer for Mobile

VSN 300

WIFI LOGGER CARD

OWER

ALAR GFI

E

SC DO

WN E

N ER

TRIO

OWER A

LAR GFI

ESC

DOWN EN ER

TRIO

WiFi router

INTERNET

- 16 -

2

Safety and accident prevention

3

S

afety instructions and general information

The equipment has been manufactured in accordance with the strictest accident-prevention regulations and supplied with safety devices suitable for the protection of components and operators.

1

For obvious reasons, it is not possible to anticipate the great number of installations and environments in which the equipment will be installed; it is therefore necessary for the customer to appropriately inform the manufacturer about particular installation conditions.

ABB accepts no liability for failure to comply with the instructions for correct installation are cannot be held responsible for the systems upstream or downstream of the equipment it has supplied.

It is essential to provide operators with correct information. They must therefore read and comply with the technical information given in the manual and in the attached documentation.

TRAINING

The instructions given in the manual do not replace the safety devices and technical data for installation and operation stuck on the product, and they certainly do not replace the safety regulations in force in the country of installation and common sense rules.

The manufacturer is willing to train staff, at its premises or on site, in accordance with conditions to be set out in the contract.

Do not use the equipment if you find any operating anomalies.

Avoid temporary repairs. All repairs should be carried out using only genuine spare parts, which must be installed in accordance with their intended use.

Liabilities arising from commercial components are delegated to the respective manufacturers.

- 17 -

Lifting and transport

4

G


Some recommendation apply only to large size product or multiple small size packings.

T

ransport and handling

Transport of the equipment, especially by road, must be carried out with by suitable ways and means for protecting the components (in particular, the electronic components) from violent shocks, humidity, vibration, etc.

During handling, do not make any sudden or fast movements that can create dangerous swinging.

L

ifting

ABB usually stores and protects individual components by suitable means to make their transport and subsequent handling easier, but as a rule it is necessary to turn to the experience of specialized staff in change of loading and unloading the components.

Where indicated and/or where there is a provision, eyebolts or handles, which can be used as anchorage points, are inserted and/or can be inserted.

The ropes and means used for lifting must be suitable for bearing the weight of the equipment.

Do not lift several units or or parts of the equipment at the same time, unless otherwise indicated.

U

npacking and checking

We remind you that the packaging elements (cardboard, cellophane, staples, adhesive tape, straps, etc.) may cause cuts and/or injuries if not handled with care. They should be removed by suitable means and not left in the hands of irresponsible people (e.g., children).

The components of the packaging must be disposed on in accordance with the regulations in force in the country of installation.

When you open the package, check that the equipment is undamaged and make sure all the components are present.

If you find any defects or damage, stop unpacking and consult the carrier, and also promptly inform the Service ABB.

- 18 -

4 - Lifting and transport

L

ist of components supplied

The following components are supplied with the device and are required to correctly install and connect the inverter

Main components

Locking screw

Plastic locking nut

Quantity

1

1

Adapter kit (gasket and adapter)

Contains FCC ID: X6W-3N16E /

ABB


SN: YYWWSSSSSS

Contains FCC ID: X6W-3N16M



XXXXXXX

XXXXXXX XXXX

XXXXXXXX

XXXXX

XXXXXXX

Spacer for installation on inverters equipped with Arc Fault device

Antenna connection cable

Wi-Fi Antenna

Cable clamp

FCC ID label

Identification label

Technical documentation

In additio

The techn n to what is explain mentation ed in this

and the in e safety a nd installa ment softw are for th ation pro e product vided in th

are availa ble at the ion manu

website.

al must be read and

followed

1 + 1

1

1

1

1

1

1

- 19 -

Installation

5

G


Installation of the equipment is carried out based on the system and the place in which the equipment is installed; therefore, its performance depends on the correctness of the connections.

Staff authorised to carry out the installation must be specialised and experienced in this job; they must also have received suitable training on equipment of this type.

The operation must be carried out by specialised staff; it is in any case advisable to comply with what is written in this manual and adhere to the diagrams and attached documentation.

For Safety reason only a qualified electrician, who has received training and / or has de mostrated skills and knowledge in construction and in operation of this unit, can install this inverter.

The installation is done by qualified installers and/or licensed electrician according to the applicable local code regulations

The connection of an inverter energy system to an electrical installation connected to the electricity distribution network shall be approved by the appropriate electrical distributor.

The installation must be carried out with the equipment disconnected from the grid and from the photovoltaic generator.

When the photovoltaic panels are exposed to light, these supplies a direct current voltage to the inverter.

- 20 -

5 - Installation

E

nvironmental checks

The device uses radio waves to transmit and receive data, it is therefore important to assess this factor in order to have optimal installation.

Walls in reinforced cement and surfaces covered in metal (doors, shutters, etc.) can markedly reduce the reach of the device which even in optimal conditions, should be of approximately 50 metres in free space.

It is therefore recommended that before installing the inverter, the strength of the Wi-Fi signal is checked, using a mobile device (smartphone, tablet or notebook) and connecting to the Wi-Fi router from a position which is close to the installation site of the inverter.

Final installation of the device must not compromise access to any disconnection devices that may be located externally.

Please refer to the warranty terms and conditions to evaluate any possible warranty exclusions due to improper installation.

Some installation examples are provided below in different conditions and with the maximum recommended distances between the Inverter and the Wi-Fi Router.

Material of the structure: Wood

OK

Distance X between the Inverter and the Wi-Fi

Router: less than 10m/33ft

Installation: permitted

X

Distance X between the Inverter and the Wi-

Fi Router: greater than 10m/33ft and/or with obstacles or floors to pass through.

Installation: to be evaluated. Assess the quality of the RF signal and the possibility of extending the signal with a repeater or transferring the Wi-Fi router to the floor above.

X

?

- 21 -


Material of the structure: Concrete


Router: any distance

Installation: to be evaluated. Assess the quality of the RF signal and the possibility of extending the signal with a repeater.

?

X

?

X

NO

Material of the structure: Metal or reinforced concrete


Router: any distance

Installation: not permitted. Assess the possibility of externally positioning the Wi-Fi router antenna

(extension) or position the Wi-Fi router near a window (in the line of sight of the inverter)

Material of the structure: any material

Distance X between the Inverter and the Wi-Fi Router: less than

30m/100ft

Installation: permitted provided that the router is in the line of sight of the inverter (through a window)

OK

- 22 -

X


R

ecommendations for the Wi-Fi signal power

The radio signal level between the inverter and the Wi-Fi router can be improved in a number of ways:

1. Change the direction of the antenna.

The antenna has a dead zone at its tip, which should not be positioned facing the Wi-Fi router, as shown in the figure.

2. Find a new position for the router considering the different types of materials which the radio signal will have to pass through:

Material

Open field

Wood / Glass

Stone / Plywood

Relative signal reduction

0% (strength of approximately 50 metres)

From 0 to 10%

From 10 to 40%

Reinforced concrete From 60 to 90%

Metal Up to 100 %

The quality of the RF signal can be assessed during the installation stage where the signal is displayed in dBm.

3. Install a Wi-Fi signal repeater and place it in an area between the inverter and the router, trying to make sure that the most critical obstacles are avoided.

4. Use an antenna extension cable to connect to the inverter (supplied by

ABB). If the inverter is installed in a position which is covered by obstacles, the cable will allow the antenna to be moved to a better position.

- 23 -


P

reliminary operations

Installation of the VSN300 Wifi Logger Card must be carried out inside the inverter and therefore the inverter must be completely disengaged.

For the correct disengagement procedure and the subsequent ope ning of the cover, refer to the manual of the specific inverter.

Some parts may be very hot and could cause burns.

Some inverter parts may be subject to voltages that could be hazardous for the operator.

Before performing any work on the inverter, follow the procedure for turning off the inverter.

Before attempting any work on the inverter, wait enough time for the stored energy to be discharged.

10

POWER ALARM GFI ESC UP DOWN ENTER

TRIO


TRIO

By way of example, the figures to the side show the areas subject to voltage inside the ABB TRIO inverter:

- Red : areas subject to input voltage (DC)

- Orange : areas subject to output voltage (AC)

- Green : areas subject to low voltage (selv)

• Disconnect any power supplies that may be connected to the configurable relay.

R S T N G

• The figure on the left shows the areas subject to voltage in the inverter under normal operating conditions.


TRIO

• Open the DC disconnect switch on the outside of the inverter.

R S T N G

R S T N G

• Disconnect the grid voltage (by switching off the protective device upstream of the inverter).

Under these conditions the inverter does not have any hazardous voltages and all areas may be freely accessed.

- 24 -


M

echanical installation

The mechanical installation of the device inside the inverter is a simple operation which does not require any particular tools.

However, due to the thickness of the casing, a specific adapter, which is supplied with the device, is required when installing on inverter models UNO-2.0/2.5-I-OUTD and TRIO-

5.8/7.5/8.5-TL-OUTD .

Refer to the inverter documentation to identify the position and shape of the expansion slot to be used (single or double connector).

I

nstallation of the antenna

The antenna must be installed on the outside of the inverter in the place of one of the service cable glands (size M20).

Installation without adapter

For installations on inverters for which an adapter is not required , proceed as follows:

• Remove one of the M20 service cable glands from the inverter (using a 25mm wrench).

• Pass the antenna connection cable into the inverter through the M20 cable gland opening, the gasket, the plastic locking nut.

• Secure the antenna connector (RP-SMA female) to the inverter using the plastic locking nut supplied (tightening torque 5 Nm).

• Screw in the Wi-Fi antenna to the connector (RP-SMA female)

- 25 -


Installation with adapter

For installations in inverters for which the adapter is required , proceed as follows:

• Install the gasket on the adapter

• Secure the adapter to the inverter using the plastic locking nut supplied

(tightening torque 5 Nm).

• Pass the antenna connection cable into the inverter through the gasket and the adapter (previously secured to the inverter).

• Tighten the antenna connector (RP-SMA female) and the gasket onto the adapter (tightening torque 5 Nm).

• Screw in the Wi-Fi antenna to the connector (RP-SMA female)

The antenna connector is the most commonly used for these types of applications (RP-SMA).

In any case, only use antennas which are RF Technology Corp. Modell EA-79 F RP SMA, or similar (equal yield or less).

I

nstallation of the board

Before installing the board inside the inverter, connect the antenna cable to the coaxial connector on the board.

During this stage, make sure that the antenna cable terminal is correctly aligned with the connector.

As both are small, they are particularly fragile, do not apply pressure to the terminal unless it is correctly aligned!

- 26 -

5 - Installation a1

Install the board by fitting the connection terminals of the specific connector into the inverter board. The inverter board connection, depending on the model, can have a single connector or two separate connectors (see the table at the beginning of the chapter).

Installation with dual connector Installation with single connector a2 b1 b2

During this stage, carefully check that all the terminals are correctly aligned. Any misalignment of the terminals may result in irreversible damage to the board and/or inverter!

Tighten the locking screw to secure the board to the inverter. This screw secures the mounting bracket to a specific anchor point on the inverter and prevents any unintentional disconnection of the board.

OK

The second hole on the bracket must not be used for securing!

NO

- 27 -


Note for installation on inverters equipped with Arc Fault device

In inverters with the ARC FAULT device installed, an additional board is already connected to the expansion slot to which the VSN300 board is to be connected.

In this case, use the spacer supplied with the assembly kit to allow mechanical fastening using the screw of the inverter board.

The second hole on the bracket can be used to secure any excess antenna connection cable, using the strap supplied.

Make sure that the antenna cable does not touch live parts during operation

Contains FCC ID: X6W-3N16E

ABB


SN: YYWWSSSSSS



Once installation has been completed, close the inverter cover and apply the following labels:

FCC label: This label is supplied with the VSN300 Wifi Logger Card and must be positioned where it is clearly visible on the outside of the inverter in which the board is installed. The FCC label contains the FCC ID of the

VSN300 Wifi Logger Card.

Identification label: This adhesive label is necessary so that all the identification data of the board is available and should be placed in a dedicated area inside the quick installation guide supplied with the product.

- 28 -


S

oftware setup

Different devices can be used to start the setup procedure for the boards, provided they have a Wi-Fi connection.

Switch on the inverter and physically connect the AC and DC grid. The

VSN300 Wifi Logger Card switches on automatically and after 60 seconds its own Access Point will be activated. This Access Point is identified by the device selected for the setup (tablet, smartphone or PC).

The screens shown below refer to a tablet with an Android operating system. Screens on other devices or operating systems may differ.

The first setup of the screen can also be carried out using a smartphone or tablet on which the Plant Viewer for Mobile App has been installed. For further information, refer to the documentation available on http://www.

abb.com/solarinverters.

C

onnection to the home Wi-Fi network

Enable Wi-Fi on the device which is being used for the board setup

(tablet, smartphone or PC) and connect it to the Access Point created by the board.

A network with the name ABB-SSSSSS-PPPP-WWYY should appear in the list of networks, where:

SSSSSS = Inverter serial number

PPPP = Inverter part number

WW = Inverter week of production

YY = Inverter year of production

Once the network has been created by the inverter, start the connection

- 29 -

5 - Installation and wait for the device to complete the procedure (a password is not required for the Wi-Fi network).

Open the internet browser and enter the pre-set IP address to access the setup page:

192.168.117.1

A guided setup procedure will open, consisting of a sequence of screens in which all the required fields must be completed correctly.

In the first screen, select the required language and click on Next to continue.

- 30 -


In the second screen, select the time zone of the area where the board is installed

Click on Next to continue.

VSN300 boards with a Firmware version prior to 1.8.x must be connected to a Wi-Fi router.

The boards with Firmware

The board can operate in two different operating modes: «Station Mode» and «Access Point Mode» (also known as «AP Mode»)

• «AP mode»: Only local monitoring is enabled in this mode; In particular, the board acts like an «access point» generating a wireless network to which the user can connect locally, to monitor the inverter

/photovoltaic system, using the Plant Viewer for Mobile App or direct access to the Web user Interface (WUI) integrated in the board; versions after 1.1.8.x can also be configured in «AP Mode» without connection to a Wi-Fi router (only local monitoring).

Where possible, «Station Mode» is always preferable. Thanks to the internet connection, this mode ensures better operation. .

• «Station Mode»: In this operating mode, not only local but also remote monitoring is enabled through access to the Aurora Vision®

CLOUD platform;

Click on "SCAN" and, from the drop-down menu, select the Wi-Fi network to which the VSN300 board is to be connected (if it is to operate in «Station Mode»); or click on "Skip this step" (if the board is to operate in «AP mode»)

- 31 -


Identify and select the appropriate Wi-Fi network from the drop-down menu selecting from amongst the networks detected by the board. A new network search can be carried out by using the Scan button.

The networks are ordered on the basis of the power of the signal received in dBm (from the strongest to the weakest).

Once the network has been selected, confirm.

In the case of installations where more than one router is available

(for example, with repeater functions), the indication of the signal in dBm is useful for selecting the network with the largest signal.

Select the mode for assigning the IP addresses configured on the destination network, selecting from DHCP (default) and Static (manual setup).

In most setups, the correct mode is DHCP, and therefore the IP address does not need to be entered manually. Only access the static setup mode if necessary and if all the network parameters are known.

- 32 -


If Static is selected, the data will appear which has to be entered in order to carry out the IP static address assigning.

Complete the additional fields at the bottom of the screen, all the fields are mandatory with the exception of the secondary DNS server.

Enter the password for the destination network (if necessary) and start the connection attempt (it will take a few seconds).

- 33 -


If the connection is completed successfully, the screen updates and displays a message and a green box.

The message provides the link required for the second stage of the installation procedure (corresponding to the IP address assigned by the router of the home Wi-Fi network of the board).

This IP address can be used each time you want to access the integrated web server, with the board connected to the home network.

The IP address assigned may vary for reasons connected to the Wi-Fi home router setup (for example, a very brief DHCP lease time). If verification of the address is required, it is usually possible to obtain the client list (and the corresponding IP addresses) from the administrative panel of the Wi-

Fi router.

Contact the network administrator for further information regarding the presence or absence of the

DNS service in the Wi-Fi router or how to enable it.

As well as the IP address, the «Host Name» (identified in the green box) can also be used to connect to the board.

In order to use the «Host Name» as an alternative to the dynamic IP address, the Wi-Fi router to which the board is connected (when operating in “Station Mode”) must provide the Domain Name System

(DNS) service.

In this way, even if the IP address assigned to the VSN300 board should change over time, (dynamic IP), it will always be possible to use the same «Host Name» which will remain unchanged over time.

The Host Name can always be received but taking into consideration that it is structured in the following way:

ABB-SSSSSS-PPPP-WWYY.LOCAL

where:

SSSSSS = Inverter serial number

PPPP = Inverter part number

WW = Inverter week of production

YY = Inverter year of production

- 34 -


F

irst system and user setup

The VSN300 board is now connected to the home Wi-Fi network, becoming a normal host on a par with any other Wi-Fi device (for example the user's tablet or PC).

The Wi-Fi board automatically disables its access point with the name

ABB-SSSSSS-PPPP-WWYY (no longer necessary). If the W-Fi board loses the connection with the home Wi-Fi network (and therefore, loses the internet connection), it will once again enable the access point necessary for repeating the first setup stage.

The most common causes of connection loss can be: different Wi-Fi network password, faulty or unreachable router, replacing the router (different SSID) without the necessary setting updates.

Before proceeding with setup, check that the device being used is connected to the same home Wi-Fi network to which the VSN300 board has just been connected.

If the device is not connected, select the Wi-Fi network from those shown in the list and connect the device to the network, entering the network protection password if requested to.

If the procedure is carried out immediately after the previous stage (without closing the browser), the assigned IP address can be reached by using the link in the green box.

Make sure that the connection has been completed successfully, open the internet browser and enter the IP address assigned by the router at the board identified previously.

- 35 -


The next stage of the guided setup procedure will open.

In the first screen, enter all the data of the plant to be monitored

(mandatory) and click on Next to continue.

Check that the longitude and latitude of the installation place are both correct and enter if missing.

These values are the same for all the boards installed in the installation place and are shared with Aurora Vision. These values can be updated from Aurora Vision even at a later date.

Latitude and Longitude are essential parameters:

Incorrect values could affect the correct operation of the board!

If the Internet connection is made using a server proxy or a VPN tunnel, it is quite likely that the suggested coordinates will be incorrect. Correct them manually to prevent malfunctions.

If the Latitude or Longitude is entered in an incorrect format, an error message will suggest the correct form of the data to be entered.

As in the example shown, one of the most common cases is the incorrect use of the “,” as a separator for the decimal point rather than the “.”

- 36 -


After this, the password for the User account is then set. This account is a read only account of the data contained in the integrated Web Server page. Entering this password is not mandatory

To set a password, enter it twice and confirm by clicking Next.

The password must contain at least 5 alphanumeric characters

(UTF-8 code)

To disable the password request for the User account, tick the "No

Password" box and confirm by clicking on Next.

- 37 -


The Admin account password must be kept safe and must not be divulged to novice users.

Incorrect parameter setup will compromise data transmission and correct plant operation.

Set the password for the Admin account (mandatory in this case) by entering it twice and confirming by clicking Next.

As the plant administrator, the Admin account will be able to read and write data contained in the integrated Web Server page and will therefore be the only one able to modify the plant setting parameters.


(UTF-8 code)

The guided setup procedure is now complete, a final message invites the user to activate an account on the Aurora Vision® platform in order to allow access and plant registration on the Plant Viewer portal.

The account on the Aurora Vision® platform will allow the plant owner to use the Plant Viewer portal and the Plant Viewer for Mobile App for remote monitoring.

If an account is required, tick the box and confirm by clicking on Next to be redirected to the Web registration page.

- 38 -


The account is obtained by the installation wizard and is only valid for connection to the Aurora Vision® platform through the Plant Viewer and

Plant Viewer for Mobile, therefore, it does not enable use of the Plant

Portfolio Manager portal.

Creation of the account is NOT required in the following cases:

- the account on Plant Viewer / Plant Viewer for Mobile has already been created;

- the VSN300 board is to be used in «AP Mode» and therefore as a local monitoring instrument with direct Wi-Fi access and not through an

Internet connection.

- The plant owner or manager (installer or maintenance technician) intends to use the Plant Portfolio Manager portal

To obtain an account enabled for Plant Portfolio Manager use, go to www.auroravision.net and click on “Register new user”.

Further information on the Aurora Vision® platform is available from the

Monitoring and Communication section found on the website www.abb.

com/solarinverters or by contacting the ABB technical department.

- 39 -

Instruments

6

G


One of the first rules for preventing damage to the equipment and to the operator is to have a thorough knowledge of the INSTRUMENTS.

We therefore advise you to read this manual carefully. If you are not sure about anything or there is discrepancy in information, please ask for more detailed information.

Do not use the equipment if:

- you do not have suitable qualifications to work on this equipment or similar products;

- you are unable to understand how it works;

- you are not sure what will happen when the buttons or switches are operated;

- you notice any operating anomalies;

- there are doubts or contradictions between your experience, the manual and/or other operators.

ABB cannot be held responsible for damage to the equipment or the operator if it is the result of incompetence, insufficient qualifications or lack of training.

- 40 -

L

ED behaviour

6 - Instruments

As soon as the inverter is switched on, the VSN300 board is also automatically powered, in this condition the led 4 emits a red intermittent light.

The first time the board is switched on, it acts like an access point («AP

Mode»). After a few seconds both led 5 and 6 flash alternately emitting a green and yellow light and then stabilise in the following condition where:

Led 4 : flashing red

Led 5 : off

Led 6 : yellow (steady)

After having connected the VSN300 board to the Wi-Fi router, it stops operating in «AP Mode» and begins to operate in «Station Mode».

In «Station Mode», the leds of the board modify and behave as follows:

Led 4 : flashing red

Led 5 : green (steady)

Led 6 : off

6 5 4

U3 U3 J1

U7 U7

24

23

U8 U8

2

1

J2

U11 U11

LED

4

6

5

5 6

5 6

Led behaviour

Flashing

Green and Yellow flashing

Green (steady)

Yellow (steady)

Green and Yellow flashing 3 times together

Description

Board powered

Start phase

Connected to a local Wi-Fi network

«Access Point Mode» enabled

Inverter Serial Number acquired

- 41 -

Operation

7

G


Before checking the operation of the equipment, it is necessary to have a thorough knowledge of the INSTRUMENTS chapter and the functions that have been enabled in the installation.

The equipment operates automatically without the aid of an operator; operating state is controlled through the instruments.

The interpretation or variation of some data is reserved exclusively for specialized and qualified staff.

The incoming voltage must not exceed the maximum values shown in the technical data in order to avoid damaging the equipment.

Consult the technical data for further details.

Even during operation, check that the environmental and logistic conditions are correct (see installation chapter).

Make sure that the said conditions have not changed over time and that the equipment is not exposed to adverse weather conditions and has not been isolated with foreign bodies.

- 42 -

7 - Operation

I

nternal Web Server

The IP address assigned to the board during the guided setup procedure

(or the Host Name), can be used at any time for the User or Admin to access the internal Web Server.

The IP address assigned may vary for reasons connected to the Wi-Fi home router setup (for example, a very brief DHCP lease time). If verification of the address is required, it is usually possible to obtain the client list (and the corresponding IP addresses) from the administrative panel of the Wi-Fi router.

C

onnection with User account

Open the internet browser and enter the IP address assigned by the router at the board identified during the guided procedure.

The login page will open where the user has to select the type of account with which the connection is to be made.

Select User from the possible options.

- 43 -

7 - Operation

If User access has been set without a password, the password field will be removed from the screen and the user will be able to access by simply clicking on Sign In.

In the event of User protected access, enter the password and click on

Sign In.

Logout and password management

Select the language

Navigation menu

After access, the user is directed to the HOME page where there is a summary of the data relating to the system power identified by the board.

The user can access the various Web Server pages from the navigation menu and can logout or change the password from the menu in the top left corner.

Instantaneous power

Total energy of the day

Indication of the operating status of the inverter or board:

Green : no anomaly

Yellow : warning signal (Wxxx)

Red : error signal (Exxxx)

Graph of the day

- 44 -

Instantaneous power


Selection of the Data board in real time and System information

Summary of technical data of the Wi-Fi board and inverter or real-time operating data.

7 - Operation

The DATA page displays a summary of the most significant technical data for the Wi-Fi board and the inverter. The real-time data is updated every minute, while the system information gathers the main characteristics of the installed devices in a table.

The VSN300 board can be configured in such a way that it transmits or does not transmit the data relating to the Aurora Vision ® platform.

- 45 -

7 - Operation

The EVENTS page displays a table with the events Log recorded by the board.

Instantaneous power


Log of events recorded by the

Wi-Fi board

The VSN300 board can be configured in such a way that it transmits or does not transmit the events log relating to the Aurora Vision ® platform.

The following is provided for each event:

SN : Serial number of the device affected by the event;

Device : Type of device affected by the event, inverter or logger (VSN300);

Event Time : event start and end time;

Code : Event code (for inverter error codes, refer to the documentation of the inverter itself)

Description : Brief description of the recorded event

Duration : Duration of the event (data available once the recorded event is closed):

Status : Indicates whether the condition which led to the event has been resolved («CLOSED») or if it is still present («OPEN»)

The SETTINGS page displays the settings of the board configured during

- 46 -

Displays the network, data logging or plant settings

Summary of the settings displayed in read only mode installation or by an Admin account.

With User access, the settings are read-only.

7 - Operation

- 47 -

7 - Operation

The ABOUT page displays the release notes of the various Firmware versions of the Wi-Fi board.

- 48 -

7 - Operation

C

onnection with Admin account

Open the internet browser and enter the IP address assigned by the router at the board identified during the guided procedure.



The login page will open where the user has to select the type of account with which the connection is to be made.

Select Admin from the options available.

Admin access requires a password, enter this password and click on

Sign In in order to login.

- 49 -

Logout and password management

Select the language

Navigation menu

Instantaneous power


Indication of the operating status of the inverter or board:

Green : no anomaly

Yellow : warning signal (Wxxx)

Red : error signal (Exxxx)

7 - Operation

After access, the user is directed to the HOME page where there is a summary of the data relating to the system power identified by the board.

The user can access the various Web Server pages from the navigation menu and can logout or change the password from the menu in the top left corner.

Graph of the day

- 50 -

Instantaneous power


Selection of the Data board in real time and System information

Summary of technical data of the Wi-Fi board and inverter or real-time operating data.

7 - Operation

The DATA page displays a summary of the most significant technical data for the Wi-Fi board and the inverter. The real-time data is updated every minute, while the system information gathers the main characteristics of the installed devices in a table.

- 51 -

7 - Operation

The EVENTS page displays a table with the events log recorded by the board.

Instantaneous power


Log of events recorded by the

Wi-Fi board

The VSN300 board can be configured in such a way that it transmits or does not transmit the events log relating to the Aurora Vision ® platform.

The following is provided for each event:

SN : Serial number of the device affected by the event;

Device : Type of device affected by the event, inverter or logger (VSN300);

Event Time : event start and end time;

Code : Event code (for inverter error codes, refer to the documentation of the inverter itself)

Description : Brief description of the recorded event

Duration : Duration of the event (data available once the recorded event is closed):

Status : Indicates whether the condition which led to the event has been

- 52 -

Selection of the network, logger, plant data settings or the inverter parameter settings

«Host Name» of the board to be used as an alternative to the IP address

Selection of «Station Mode» or

«AP Mode»

Table which displays the network settings (modifiable) in «Station

Mode» or the Access point data generated by the board in «AP

Mode».

7 - Operation resolved («CLOSED») or if it is still present («OPEN»)

The SETTINGS page displays the settings of the board divided into four sections: Network (network settings), Logger (log-in settings), Plant Details (plant data) and Inverter Parameters Setting.

Unlike the User access (read only), Admin login allows the settings present to be modified.

As described in the Installation chapter, the VSN300 board can operate in two different operating modes: «Station Mode», with the IP address assigned in static or dynamic mode, and «AP Mode».

In the Network board, the current operating mode can be modified and therefore manage the change from «Station Mode» to «AP Mode» and vice versa.

Saves the modifications made

Once the required values have been modified, confirm the setting by clicking on Save.

If the board is operating in «Station Mode», before carrying out any modification of the net work parameters and in particular if the user wishes to change the Wi-Fi network to which the board is connected, it is recommended to:

- enable the «AP Mode» beforehand;

- access to the WUI by using the static IP address 192.168.117.1;

- move to “Station Mode” operation mode by setting new network parameters.

- 53 -

7 - Operation


Parameters which cannot be modified

In the Logger board, the settings relating to data collection, storage and transmission can be viewed and modified.

Parameters which can be modified

Restores the board


The first group of parameters cannot be modified:

A specific message appears in the notifications if the following selec tions are made:

Polling time : Inverter data sample period (more specifically, the VSN300 board reads the inverter parameters every 60 seconds)

Log Interval : Transfer interval of the data read by the VSN300 board to the Aurora Vision® internet cloud platform (more specifically, the VSN300 board collects and sends the data every 300 seconds = 5 minutes)

Retention policy : Storage period of the data obtained from the inverter in the internal memory of the VSN300 board In this specific case, 30 days worth of data is archived with a "sliding window" type storage management, i.e. the oldest data is deleted in favour of new data.

The second group of parameters can be customised:

Send Live Data to Aurora Vision : Enable/Disable the sending of data to the Aurora Vision® cloud platform

- Logger operation in « AP Mode »

- Automatic verification function of the availability of a new Firmware disabled

- Transmission of data to the Aurora Vision® cloud platform disabled (function

- Transmission of events (anomalies and errors) to the Aurora Vision® cloud platform disabled

Send Events to Aurora Vision : Enable/Disable the sending of errors to the Aurora Vision® cloud platform

Automatic Check for FW Updates : Enable/Disable the automatic verification of the availability of a new Firmware for the VSN300 board or for the inverter (internet connection is required).

If this function is enabled, automatic verification takes place every hour.

Enable Modbus TCP Client : Enable/Disable the «Modbus TCP Client» function (refer to the specific section in the manual).

- 54 -


7 - Operation

In the Plant Details board, the plant data which was entered previously during the installation phase can be viewed and modified.

Inverter settings

(modifiable fields)

The function is not available for all

ABB inverter models. For further information, refer to the documentation available on the official ABB website

The main parameters of the inverter can be modified using the Inverter

Parameters setting board and since the VSN300 board is installed in the

Inverter Parameters setting board, this means that it is not necessary to operate directly on the board itself. Modifying a parameter is obviously allowed within the range of permitted values. Outside of this range, it is not possible to confirm the modification (by clicking on «SAVE» as with the other boards).


Plant data

(modifiable fields)


- 55 -

Selection of the release notes or the registration page

7 - Operation

The ABOUT page displays the release notes of the various Firmware versions of the Wi-Fi board and allows access to the registration page of the Aurora Vision® portal where a new account can be registered.

- 56 -

7 - Operation

R

esetting passwords

If the access password (user or administrator) has been lost, it can be reset and a new one can be created by using the «Forgot your password» control

When the operator clicks on «Forgot your password», he will then be required to enter the identification code of the «Product Key» board.

ABB


SN: YYWWSSSSSS



The «Product Key» is a unique code which can be found on the identification label supplied with the board.

Once the «Product Key» has been entered, click on «Reset» to start the reset procedure and create a new password.

- 57 -

7 - Operation

The procedure for creating a new password is the same as that already carried out during installation. Just as in the installation phase, the USER password is created (optional) and enabled to only read the web interface parameters.


(UTF-8 code)

Just as in the installation phase, a password does not have to be assigned/created for the USER.



However, a password must be entered for the ADMIN user. This will allow the user interface parameters to be both read and modified.

- 58 -

7 - Operation

M

odbus TCP Gateway Functionality

The Modbus TCP Gateway functionality allows an external monitoring or a SCADA system to exchange data with the inverter without being directly connected.

Communication with the SCADA or external monitoring system must take place through the Modbus TCP protocol. The VSN300 board server

/ gateway converts the Modbus commands which arrive and sends them to the inverter (or to any device within which the board is installed). In turn, the responses generated by the inverter will be converted and sent to the Modbus client which has sent the commands.

R

ole of the Sunspec Adapter software

Integration of the VSN300 in a SCADA system is made possible mainly thanks to the Modbus TCP communication protocol and the presence of the SunSpec Adapter software.

The SunSpec Adapter is a software adapter that has two main functions: it continuously polls legacy ABB inverters as fast as it can using the Aurora Protocol and caches data polled from these inverters in SunSpec compliant Modbus data maps.

- 59 -

7 - Operation

Sunspec Alliance has standardised the Modbus register map in which the inverter data is stored. This allows SCADA systems to use standard

Modbus read commands to gather information from legacy ABB inverters, stored previously in these Modbus Sunspec registers. In the same way, a SCADA system can send a supported Modbus write command to a SunSpec inverter control register.

The VSN300 board will transcode the standard Modbus commands into

Aurora Protocol command sequences to be sent to the legacy ABB inverter which will then execute the requested actions, such as grid disconnection or output power reduction.

The Modbus commands sent by a Modbus TCP client cannot be passed directly to legacy ABB inverters which communicates via the proprietary

Aurora Protocol . So the VSN300’s Modbus TCP server/gateway passes an incoming Modbus command to the SunSpec Adapter first. When a Modbus TCP client sends read commands to a legacy ABB inverter, the VSN300’s Modbus TCP server will respond based on data that has been cached for that inverter by the SunSpec adapter ; when a Modbus

TCP client sends a supported write command to a legacy ABB inverter using the inverter’s SunSpec Modbus data map, the SunSpec adapter will convert this command to Aurora Protocol for communication to the inverter. If there are any problems with the command, an exception response will be sent back to the Modbus TCP client. There is no confirmation that a command is successful and that the inverter has performed the control action; For this reason, write commands should always be followed up shortly after with read commands to confirm the change (s).

- 60 -

7 - Operation

M

odbus TCP Commands

In order to implement communication between the VSN300/inverter

(Modbus TCP server) and an external monitoring or SCADA system

(Modbus TCP client), the VSN300 and the external system must be on the same network subnet or have a route set up in order to communicate each other.

The VSN300 is able to forward Modbus TCP traffic on port 502. An example of Modbus TCP command sent by the Modbus TCP client to the VSN300 follows:

<IP_address>:502:<protocol_address>.

Where:

- IP_address : IP address assigned to the VSN300 board

- 502 : port used for enabling the communication between the Modbus

TCP client (external monitoring or SCADA system) and server (VSN300)

- Protocol_address : 247 in case of communication between VSN300 board and inverter via INTERCOM bus; AURORA PROTOCOL address in case communication between VSN300 board and inverter via legacy bus.

M

odbus TCP register map

The Modbus TCP register map the Modbus TCP client has to refer to is

Sunspec compliant. The specific map to be referred to depends on the specific inverter type monitored as indicated below:

- SunSpec M101 : with single MPPT - single phase ABB inverter

- SunSpec M103 : with single MPPT - three phase ABB inverter

- SunSpec M106 : with dual MPPT ABB inverter

- 61 -

7 - Operation

F

irmware Update Function

An incorrect Firmware updating procedure can cause irreversible damage to the VSN300 board or the inverter.

Do not use unofficial or modified

Firmware for the updates. Only use files supplied by ABB and follow the procedure carefully.

This function allows the user to update the Firmware of both the VSN300 board and the inverter within which the board is installed (if anticipated by the inverter model).

In order to update the Firmware, a new Firmware must have been officially released by ABB for the product which is to be updated. If the VSN300 board is connected to a Wi-Fi router, and therefore to the

Internet («Station Mode» operating mode), it is possible to enable the function which automatically allows the user to receive notification from

ABB regarding the availability of a new update for the Firmware of the board or the inverter. The board checks the availability of updates every hour. It is also always possible to manually check for updates by clicking on “Check for FW Update”.

The update can be carried out in one of two ways:

- Enabling the download from the ABB remote servers and therefore the installation of new Firmware (this function is only available in «Station

Mode» and therefore when there is an internet connection)

- Transferring the new Firmware to be installed (file with .tib or .ben extensions) from a local folder on the Wi-Fi device using the internal memory of the VSN300 logger (UPLOAD), then manually installing the

Firmware once it has been transferred (UPDATE). An Internet connection is not required this way (this is the only possibility with the board operating in «AP Mode»).

- 62 -

7 - Operation

U

pdates from the Internet

Button for the manual verification of the availability of a new

Firmware. If available, a message appears below the button.

Choose from Firmware update via access to the ABB remote servers or by loading into the internal memory of the local device

Download and update the

Firmware of the VSN300 board

Download and update the

Firmware of the inverter

During the Firmware updating process, a progress bar allows the user to see a percentage of the process completion. At the end of the update, the updated device will automatically restart.

Firmware update progress bar

The Firmware updating operation (particularly regarding the inverter), can require a considerable amount of time. This can range from a few minutes up to an hour. Always wait for the procedure to finish completely and do not disconnect the inverter from the power source until the procedure has been completed successfully!

- 63 -

7 - Operation

L

ocal update

Files with the .tib or .ben extension must be loaded into a local folder on the Wi-Fi device which the user is using to navigate the user interface pages of the VSN300 board

As an alternative to the procedure using the Internet, or for boards configured in «AP Mode», the board or the inverter can be updated via an upload from a local device.

To upload the .tib or .ben file of the Firmware click on «Upload FW file».

Once the user has reached the local folder containing the .tib or .ben file, select this file and start transferring it into the memory of the VSN300 board by clicking on «OPEN».

If the transfer fails, the message «File Upload failed» will appear below

«Upload FW file».

The file upload can fail for a number of different reasons, usually due to the Wi-Fi network connection. Make sure that the device used for the upload is quite close to the router or the inverter and that the Wi-Fi signal is not too weak. Also ensure that the file you are attempting to transfer is the file which has been officially released by ABB and that it is not corrupted. The

«UPDATE» key is disabled until the file has been transferred completely. If an error continues to appear, contact ABB technical department for further information.

Once the upload has been completed successfully, the update stage can be launched, i.e. the new FW can be installed by clicking on «UPDATE».

Choose from Firmware update via access to the ABB remote servers or by loading into the internal memory of the local device

Upload from the local device and update the Firmware of the

VSN300 board

Upload from the local device and update the Firmware of the inverter

Upload the file containing the updated Firmware from the local device and start the transfer

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7 - Operation

During the Firmware updating process, a progress bar allows the user to see a percentage of the process completion. At the end of the update, the updated device will automatically restart.

Firmware update progress bar

The Firmware updating operation (particularly regarding the inverter), can require a considerable amount of time. This can range from a few minutes up to an hour. Always wait for the procedure to finish completely and do not disconnect the inverter from the power source until the procedure has been completed successfully!

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Maintenance

8

G


Checking and maintenance operations must be carried out by specialized staff assigned to carry out this work.

Maintenance operations must be performed with the apparatus disconnected from the grid

(power switch open) and the photovoltaic panels obscured or isolated, unless otherwise indicated.

For cleaning, DO NOT use rags made of filamentary material or corrosive products that may corrode parts of the equipment or generate electrostatic charges.

Avoid temporary repairs. All repairs should be carried out using only genuine spare parts.

The maintenance technician is under an obligation to promptly report any anomalies.

DO NOT allow the equipment to be used if problems of any kind are found, and restore the normal conditions correctly or otherwise make sure that this is done.

Always use the personal protective equipment provided by the employer and comply with the safety conditions of the Accident prevention chapter.

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8 - Maintenance

T

roubleshooting

Problem

The integrated WUI cannot be accessed

The VSN300 card is able to identify a Wi-Fi network but is unable to connect to it

Possible causes

ADMIN or USER password forgotten

The signal between the VSN300 board and the Wi-Fi router to which the board wants to connect is too weak

Solution

Reset the passwords by clicking on “Forgot your password”; The passwords can be reset after having entered the board “Product Key”

Modify the position of the antennas, the boards or the router

Make sure that the board has not been installed near obstacles which could affect the communication with the Wi-Fi router (for example: metal cages or walls, walls in reinforced concrete, electromagnetic fields)

Move the VSN300 board as close as possible to the router

Install a Wi-Fi signal repeater in order to extend the network to which the board is to be connected; then connect the VSN300 board to the repeater

The VSN300 board has not identified the Wi-Fi network to which connection is required

The Wi-Fi network to which the

VSN300 board is to be connected, could require the user to enter a username and password to allow navigation (for example, with a public

Wi-Fi network or a hotel).

Some initial FW versions (prior to

1.7.7) could find it difficult to identify or access Wi-Fi networks whose

SSID have spaces in the name


VSN300 board is to be connected, is set so as not to be identified (hidden network)

The VSN300 board does not communicate correctly with the inverter inside of which it is installed (inconsistency in the detected data read by the board), or when working in “Access Point

Mode”, connection to its internal WUI is not in any way possible

The Inverter Firmware version is not amongst those which have been identified as compatible with the VSN300 board

The Communication Board of the inverter could be damaged

Alternating difficulties in the local connection to the WUI of the VSN300 board

The inverter, and therefore the

VSN300 board, might not be correctly powered (for example, if the inverter is switched off at night, the WUI of the board cannot be accessed)

The Wi-Fi connection signal between the device in use and the router or the VSN300 board, may not have sufficient power or it may be disturbed by obstacles which affect the communication

Unfortunately the VSN300 board cannot be connected to these types of Wi-Fi networks. Connect the

VSN300 board to an alternative Wi-Fi network

Update the VSN300 board FW or attempt to modify the SSID of the WI-Fi network to which the board is to be connected (for example, replacing the spaces with

”_”)

The VSN300 board is not able to connect to a hidden network. Set the Wi-Fi network to which the board is to be connected (visible network), then identify and connect the VSN300 board to the Wi-Fi network as normal.

Update the inverter FW;

Request a service intervention to check that the inverter Communication Board is working correctly

Access to the WUI of the board only when powered correctly

Make sure that the signal between the Wi-Fi devices which interact with the board are sufficiently high and that any obstacles such as metal cages or walls, walls in reinforced concrete or strong electromagnetic fields do not affect communication

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Problem

Although the VSN300 board has been installed correctly in “Station Mode” and works correctly on the local network, no data has been transmitted to the

Aurora Vision®

It is not possible to access the WUI of the board when the board is operating in

“Station Mode – DHCP”

Possible causes

The MAC address used to register the logger on the Aurora Vision® platform is not the same as the actual address associated with the VSN300 board which is installed


VSN300 board is connected, could be protected by a Firewall which prevents the remote exchange of data with the Aurora Vision® platform

Solution

Make sure that the MAC address registered on the

Aurora Vision® platform is actually the one associated with the VSN300 board installed. If it is not, modify the registered MAC address

Contact the network administrator in order to have the Firewall configured so that the remote exchange of data between the VSN300 board and the Aurora

Vision® platform is allowed

An incorrect dynamic IP address is being used to access the WUI or the

IP address could have been modified by the Wi-Fi router to which the bard is connected

Access the WUI of the VSN300 board using its “Host

Name” (the DNS service must be enabled);

If possible, access the pages of the Wi-Fi router web server to which the board is connected and read the new dynamic IP address assigned to the VSN300 board

Switch off the Wi-Fi router to which the board is connected so as to force the board to operate in “AP mode”. It will then be possible to access the internal

WUI via the static IP address 192.168.117.1 and, once inside, configure the board in “Station Mode –

DHCP” taking note of the newly assigned dynamic IP address

E

vent codes

Wi-Fi board events

W022

W023

W024

W026

W030

W031

E030

Event code

I003

I005

W017

W018

W019

W020

W021

Event

New inverter identified

Start

Incorrect logger credentials

Incompatible access point

Wi-Fi not in the list

Wi-Fi not permitted

Problem with communication with the gateway

No internet connection

Wi-Fi network scan timed-out

Communication problems with the portal for the update

Clock not synchronised

Incorrect Wi-Fi password

Communication problems with the portal for data transmission

Poor Wi-Fi connection

Inverter events

Event code

W502

E501

Event

Production warning zero

Inverter communication error

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S

torage and dismantling

S

torage of the equipment or prolonged stop

If the equipment is not used immediately or is stored for long periods, check that it is correctly packed and contact ABB for storage instructions.

The equipment must be stored in well-ventilated indoor areas that do not have characteristics that might damage the components of the equipment.

Restarting after a long or prolonged stop requires a check and, in some cases, the removal of oxidation and dust that will also have settled inside the equipment if not suitably protected.

D

ismantling, decommissioning and disposal

ABB CANNOT be held responsible for disposal of the equipment: displays, cables, batteries, accumulators, etc., and therefore the customer must dispose of these substances, which are potentially harmful to the environment, in accordance with the regulations in force in the country of installation.

If the equipment is dismantled, in order to dispose of the products that it is composed of, you must adhere to the regulations in force in the country of destination and in any case avoid causing any kind of pollution.

Dispose of the various types of materials that the parts of the equipment consist of in dumps that are suitable for the purpose.

Table: disposal of components

COMPONENT MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION

Frame, brackets, supports ............................................................................................... Arc-welded steel FE37

Casing or covers ................................................................................................................................ABS, plastic

Paint and ........................................................................................................................................................RAL

Gaskets and seals ............................................................................................................Rubber / Teflon / Viton

Electrical cables .........................................................................................................................Copper / Rubber

Conduits .............................................................................................................................. Polyethylene / Nylon

Back-up battery ................................................................................................................. Nickel / Lead/ Lithium

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