victron energy EM24 Ethernet Energy Meter User Manual
- May 15, 2024
- victron energy
Table of Contents
victron energy EM24 Ethernet Energy Meter User Manual
1. Introduction
The Victron EM24 Ethernet is a standard device to measure the power and energy
of a 3-phase application, for example at the distribution box or to measure
the output of a PV Inverter, AC Genset or the output of an inverter and
inverter/charger.
Its data will be displayed on a GX device and our VRM portal.
1.1. Features
The EM24 Ethernet can be configured for four different roles in a GX device such as the Cerbo GX:
- As a Grid meter and used as control input for an ESS System.
- To measure the output of a PV Inverter.
- To measure the output of a AC Genset.
- As a AC meter to measure the output of an inverter or inverter/charger.
It offers one option for connection to a GX device:
- A wired ethernet connection to the local network in such a way that the GX device can reach it.
2. Installation and configuration
2.1. AC wiring
2.1.1. Configuration options
The configuration option of either Grid Meter, PV Inverter, Generator or AC
Meter is set in the GX device. For details on GX device configuration see the
GX device configuration [4] chapter. This selection will effect how the system
should be wired and how the information received from the meter is displayed
on the screen.
See below diagrams for the different wiring options:
2.1.2. System examples
Example diagrams
When used to measure a PV Inverter, terminals 1, 4 and 7 should face the PV inverter to ensure correct direction of current and power.
Single-phase, single function
Note the jumper between terminals 1 and 4. You do not need this connection if
you have the version AV2 of the sensor.
The diagrams show the wiring when used as a grid meter.
To measure a single-phase PV inverter in a 3-phase system, connect all 3
phases to the grid phasing terminals (3, 6 and 9). Now you can chose on which
phase you want the PV inverter by connecting the L1 line of the PV inverter to
terminal 1, 4 or 7.
Single-phase, dual function
If you want to use a three-phase meter in a single-phase installation to
measure the grid on one input of the meter and the output of the PV inverter
on another input of the energy meter, make sure that the energy meter uses L1
and the PV inverter uses L2.
Front selector
Change the front selector so it is not in the locked state. This allows it to
be automatically configured by the GX Device. The front selector is located
next to the display as indicated in the image above.
2.2. GX device configuration
3. FAQ
Q1: Can I combine three ET112s for a 3-phase system?
No. Use a real 3-phase meter.
Q2: Can I use other meters, for example from other brands?
No.
Q3: I already have a Fronius SmartGrid meter, can I use that?
No.
Q4: What are the differences between the various 3-phase meters?
- EM540 – REL200100100 – Carlo Gavazzi EM540DINAV23XS1X
- ET112 – REL300100000 – Carlo Gavazzi ET112-DIN.AV01.X.S1.X
- ET340 – REL300300000 – Carlo Gavazzi ET340-DIN.AV23.X.S1.X
Differences:
-
The ET meters have no display. The only thing they have is an LED, which blinks in case of active communication.
-
The ET meters have two RJ45 sockets, but they are not used with the Victron RS485 to USB interface. Note the possible confusion because of yet another RJ45 socket in the Victron world though. Don’t mix that with VE.Bus, VE.Can or VE.net.
Besides the RJ45 sockets, the meters still also have screw terminals access below the sockets for the RS485 wiring, which is how we advise to connect a meter to the RS485 to USB interface and then a GX device. -
Since there is no display, the modbus address can no longer be changed on the meter. Combining multiple of those meters on one RS485 network is therefore not supported by Victron. You are advised to use multiple RS485 to USB interfaces.
3-phase meter only: -
Measuring energy from single-phase PV Inverter on the second phase of a 3-phase meter actually works.
Q5: Will you keep shipping both 3-phase meters? (ET340 & EM540)
Yes. There are still situations suitable for each. See Q8.
Q6: Can I buy those meters directly from Carlo Gavazzi instead of from you?
Yes. That is also why we make no secret of the CG part numbers.
Q7: I want to use Current Transformers (CTs), is that possible?
Yes. You can buy a CG EM24DINAV53DISX or a CG EM530DINAV53XS1X directly from Carlo Gavazzi or one of their
distributors. Even though Victron does not stock that type of meter, we do support it in our software.
Q8: What’s the difference between ET340 and EM540 in 3-phase systems?
These meters have a different way of calculating the total of energy imported and exported.
In the ET340, the energy imported and exported is counted at each individual phase and then the Total is provided from the sum of those values.
In the EM540, the energy imported and exported is counted as a total power, with net differential readings from each phase cancelling each other out.
Which Energy Meter is most suitable depends on the measuring configuration in your country. It is most common in Austria and Germany for example to only be billed for the total in a 3-phase system. So it is more accurate to use an EM540 to match the billing.
So if you are exporting from one phase and importing from another phase after the energy meter, but before the billing meter, then you will not be charged for this, and the meter should not count it as an import and an export.
This is also how Victron’s phase compensation feature works, to make the most of the cost savings for an ESS system when there is a differential in generation and load across different phases.
Q9: Can I use an isolated USB-RS485 interface?
Yes. The interfaces we sell are non isolated; suitable for most use cases.
In case an isolated one is needed; purchase it directly from Hjelmslund Electronics. -
USB485-STIXL : Isolated USB to RS485 converter
Q10: Can I use Victron Energy Meters instead of a Victron Inverter/Charger to
make use of a GX device (e.g. Cerbo GX), VRM and other features?
Energy Meters are intended to supplement a Victron Inverter/Charger in the
system. Energy Meters are currently limited in their potential applications.
Each Energy Meter is only intended to provide a specific piece of additional
information – total loads on AC
input and grid import/export, or AC PV inverter and AC generator production
without network communications.
However, it is perfectly possible to initially use just a GX device together
with an Energy Meter to determine and record the consumption, for example of
houses/buildings, heating systems with heat pumps, ventilating and air
conditioning or production
facilities. Afterwards, the collected data can be evaluated and a decision can
be made about the dimensioning of the required Victron inverter/charger(s),
the solar system and the type, size and number of batteries.
With GX device firmware version 2.80 and later, they can also be used for
other purposes e.g. to measure specific, arbitrary AC loads or circuits for
example. But this should not be considered a replacement to having a Victron
Inverter/Charger. Attempting to
use other brand battery inverters and trying to substitute their lack of data
connectivity to the GX device by using Energy Meters will not work as
expected.
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>