System monitoring
Which components are always needed to monitor a system?
The basic requirements for system monitoring are a Com Card in each inverter and a Datalogger within the system. All the other components, such as the Sensor Card or Public Display Card, are optional components that supply further information about the system concerned.
What points should I note when constructing the LocalNet ring?
When you connect the individual components to one another, it is important to make sure that the wiring runs from “IN” to “OUT” or vice versa. There must be no “IN” to “IN” or “OUT” to “OUT” connections.
1:1 network cables (CAT5) may be used for the wiring. The maximum ring length is 1,000 m.
Make sure that the ring is terminated with the termination plug.
Different addresses must be used if there are several identical components in the ring (several inverters or Sensor Cards / Boxes).
Once installation is complete, the green LEDs light up on all the components. The red LED must NOT light up on the Datalogger or Sensor Card.
Can I obtain information about my PV system even when I am out?
If you want to be able to look up data from anywhere, you must install the Fronius Solar.access software on a PC equipped with an analog modem. A Datalogger with a connected modem is also needed.
If there is a modem connected to the Datalogger, the information can be sent by e-mail or SMS via the system data as well as via the PC.
Fronius also provides the Fronius Solar.web Internet service. This is an easy-to-use way of looking up system data from any PC with an Internet connection.
How can I obtain the current software versions for the Fronius product group?
The latest versions of all our software products can be easily downloaded free of charge from our website.
I have lost my termination plug. What can I do?
If you were not sent a termination plug or if you have lost it, please contact the Fronius Service Hotline to arrange for another termination plug to be sent to you. In place of the termination plug, you can also connect the first and last RJ45 sockets with a 1:1 network cable.
Which cable must I use to connect my Datalogger and my PC?
You should use a standard AT-AT null modem cable to connect your Fronius Datalogger Card to your PC. The cable should be no more than 20 m long, otherwise it cannot be guaranteed to work correctly. The pin-out of the standard AT-AT null modem cable can be found in the DATCOM operating instructions (page 21).
You will need a USB-A to USB-B cable to connect your Fronius Datalogger Box to your PC.
Do I still need a Datalogger and Com Card even if I only have one inverter?
Yes, even if you only want to monitor one Fronius inverter, it must still be equipped with a Datalogger and a Fronius Com Card. The Com Card can be regarded as a network card, similar to the one in your home PC. The Datalogger, on the other hand, represents the unit within the system that stores the data for further processing.
The Datalogger “easy” was developed as a cost-effective variant for managing the data for just one inverter and one Sensor Card / Box.
The Datalogger “pro”, on the other hand, stores the data from up to 100 inverters and 10 Sensor Cards / Boxes.
My laptop doesn't have a serial port for connecting the Datalogger Card.
Modern laptops often don't have a serial port. If this is the case, we recommend that you use an industry standard USB/RS232 adapter. The Datalogger can be connected to the laptop using this adapter (and the software supplied with the adapter).
In the meantime, the Fronius Datalogger Box has an USB port as standard.
I use a USB / RS232 adapter to link my system to my PC. The associated software was installed, but Fronius Solar.access or Fronius Solar.update does not recognise the port.
This is almost certainly caused by a port conflict on your PC. Two ports have the same name (e.g. COM3), and one of these is used for the connection to the PV system.
On laptops, the adapter is often assigned the name of the modem connection.
Please check the name of the port in Control Panel / System / Hardware / Device Manager and in the telephone and modem options.
Change the name of a port if necessary to eliminate the problem.
What is the difference between the Datalogger “pro” and the Datalogger “easy”?
The Datalogger “easy” manages the data from just one inverter and one Sensor Card, while the Datalogger “pro” can manage up to 100 inverters and 10 Sensor Cards / Boxes.
What points should I note when using a Datalogger?
The addresses of the components used must be set to 1, otherwise they cannot be displayed in the Fronius Solar.access software.
What will happen if I don’t download from my Datalogger for a long period?
The Datalogger has a certain storage capacity that depends on the retrieval period that is set. Once the maximum storage capacity is reached, the oldest data is overwritten by new data on an ongoing basis.
The green LED on my Datalogger or DATCOM component does not light up.
This means that the power supply is insufficient. The individual components are supplied by the Com Cards, and one Com Card can supply up to three further components. If there are too many components in the system to be supplied by the Com Cards or if the cable links are very long, then additional power must be supplied with a plug-in power supply unit. The system can only be guaranteed to work correctly if the power pack available from Fronius is used.
Why do the red and green LEDs light up on my Datalogger?
This means there is a conflict on the LocalNet ring (the same address occurs several times; termination plug not attached, not wired from “IN” to “OUT” or cable break).
Is the Datalogger Card also available with a USB port?
No, the Datalogger Card is only available with an RS232 port since the maximum length of a USB cable is limited to 3 metres.
Why am I unable to connect to my PC with my USB Datalogger?
You probably do not have the right driver on your PC. If you have installed Fronius IG.access, then you will find the driver at:
Local data medium / Programs / Fronius Austria/ IG.access/ Driver/ USB.
Why am I unable to connect to my Datalogger even though I have connected everything correctly and have had a perfect connection in the past?
In this case, please check whether another program (e.g. mobile telephone software, synchronisation program for your PDA, etc), is accessing the specified port in addition to Fronius Solar.access.
With laptops, the problem may also be caused by an active IR interface.
I have heard about a Datalogger update. Why do I need it and when should I run it?
The Datalogger update is sometimes needed when the software is converted from Fronius IG.access 3.0, for example, to Fronius IG.access 4.0. The latest version of this update can be downloaded free of charge from here.
Please note the following points when you run the update:
· You must use a standard AT-AT null modem cable with full pin-out to connect the PC and Datalogger.
· The connecting cable must be connected to the Datalogger’s modem port.
· The jumper on the Datalogger must be moved from the “RUN” position to “UPDATE”.
The message “Have you reset the CPU?” appears when I update the Datalogger.
This means that the connecting cable you are using does not have a full pin-out. Although it is possible that the data transfer between the PC and Datalogger worked perfectly with such a cable, you will in fact need further wires for the Datalogger update than those for the data transfer alone. A continuity tester can be used to determine whether you have a connecting cable with full pin-out. On a cable with full pin-out, continuity can be measured between pin 1 on one connector and pin 7 on the second connector.
Can I connect any modem to my Datalogger?
We generally recommend the "U.S. Robotics Courier V.Everything 56K” modem for the Fronius Soalr.access system monitoring software. This is an industrial modem that operates very reliably. A perfect connection to the LocalNet ring can only be guaranteed in conjunction with this modem.
A list of modem distributors is available upon request from pv@fronius.com.
Which sensors are available for the Fronius Sensor Card / Box?
A wind sensor, an insolation sensor, two temperature sensors (external and module temperatures) and a current meter may be connected to the Fronius Sensor Card / Box. There is also a current-sensitive input available.
Exactly when does my Signal Card output a display and how can I check whether my Signal Card is working correctly?
The Fronius Signal Card allows two different settings:
If the jumper is set to “all” mode, a signal is output for both permanent and temporary errors.
If the jumper is set to “perm.”, only permanent errors will trigger the Signal Card.
As a rule, the display does not appear until a permanent error is present for longer than 4:15 hours, or if more than 50 temporary errors occur in a day.
The Signal Card can be checked using the inverter setup in the “DATCOM” menu option. If the buzzer is activated, a brief signal is issued if the test is successful.
Which signalling devices can I connect to the Signal Card?
Any visual or audible signalling devices may be connected to the Signal Card.
It should simply be ensured that the following limits are not exceeded with respect to the electrical data:
Maximum DC voltage .................. 50 V DC
Maximum DC current .................. 1 A DC
Maximum AC voltage .................. 250 V AC
Maximum AC current .................. 4 A AC
How can I acknowledge an error displayed by the Signal Card?
The output signal is acknowledged by pressing any button on the inverter or by switching the DC supply off and on again. This can cause the relay to remain switched, even after the DC voltage is lost (evenings). For this reason, Fronius recommends that you fit an ON/OFF switch.