ampt X3R-31570025 Communication Unit Installation Guide
- May 15, 2024
- ampt
Table of Contents
amp X3R-31570025 Communication Unit
Copyright 2023 Ampt LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, retransmitted, or copied in any form without the expressed and written permission of Ampt LLC. This document contains information needed to install and commission an Ampt optimizer (including Smart String Technology® optimizers, String Stretch® optimizers, Ampt Mode® optimizers, String View® optimizers, V-match® optimizers, and Direct-to-Battery® optimizers) within a photovoltaic (PV) installation. The result? Energy realized®.
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Disclaimer of Liability
Ampt makes no representations, expressed or implied, concerning this
documentation or any of the equipment and/or software it may describe,
including (with no limitation) any implied warranties of utility,
merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. All such warranties
are expressly disclaimed. Ampt shall not be liable for any indirect,
incidental, or consequential damages under any circumstances. (The exclusion
of implied warranties may not apply in all cases under some statutes, and thus
the above exclusion may not apply.)
The following information is subject to change without notice, even though every attempt has been made to make this document complete, accurate and up to date. Readers are cautioned, however, that Ampt reserves the right to make changes without notice and shall not be responsible for any damages, including indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, caused by reliance on the material presented, including, but not limited to, omissions, typographical errors, arithmetical errors or listing errors in the content material.
WARNING
Any use of the Ampt String Optimizer that is not expressly authorized in this
manual or associated documentation is expressly prohibited by Ampt. Ampt
disclaims any responsibility or liability for such prohibited use.
General Safety
Installation and maintenance should be performed only by qualified persons.
Installers and maintenance personnel assume the risk of all injury that might
occur during installation or maintenance including, without limitation, the
risk of electric shock. Follow your safety procedures and protocols.
All electrical installations must be done by the local and National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA 70; Canadian Electrical Code, Part I; or the applicable standards, codes, and regulations for your region. Failure to follow this manual will void the warranty. The Ampt product contains no user-serviceable parts. All repairs and maintenance should be handled according to the instructions and terms contained in the product warranty.
The Ampt communication unit is used with Ampt optimizers. Before installing or using the Ampt optimizer, read all instructions and safety messages on the optimizer and in this manual. Follow the safety precautions for this product as well as the other components in the PV system. Keep this manual.
Safety Message Types
The following messaging is used to identify a hazard to equipment or
personnel:
DANGER
Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in minor or
moderate injury.
NOTICE
Indicates information considered important but not hazard, or personal injury,
related – for example, property damage.
Chapter 1: Product Overview
The Ampt Communication Unit (Ampt CU) provides wireless two-way communication
with Ampt String Optimizers.
Ampt String Optimizers are DC/DC converters that are used to lower the cost and improve the performance of new PV systems, repower existing systems to produce more energy and enable lower-cost DC-coupled storage systems. Ampt String Optimizers perform maximum power point tracking on each string while eliminating half of the electrical balance of system components and enabling lower cost-per-watt inverters and battery-related power components. Learn more at www.ampt.com.
The Ampt Communication Unit (Ampt CU) is paired with Ampt String Optimizers to provide optional string-level data for enhanced commissioning and O&M capabilities. Ampt optimizers transmit this StringView® optimizer data via two-way wireless communications to an Ampt CU. The Ampt CU uses Modbus/TCP to pass records to SCADA or data monitoring systems – making the information available in the field, at your remote operations center, or through a third- party monitoring service.
Physical Overview
Dimensional Drawings
Ampt CU
The dimensions for the Ampt CU are shown below.
Ampt CU Mounting Holes and Hardware
The dimensions for the Ampt CU mounting holes, pole mount bracket, and pole
mount belt are shown below.
Specifications
Data Communications|
---|---
Interface with Ampt optimizers| Two-way wireless
Number of Communication Units per MW| 1 – 2
Interface with data monitoring system| Modbus/TCP
Connection with data monitoring| Ethernet 10/100 Base T
Measurement accuracy| ±0.25%
Data interval| 1 minute
Local data storage| 45 day rolling buffer
Electrical|
Power supply| Power over Ethernet (PoE) power consumption < 4.5W
Power over Ethernet (PoE)| Class 0, 802.3af Modes A and B, 802.3at Type 1
(RJ-45 connector)
Mechanical|
Weight| 1.23 lbs. 556 g
Dimensions1 (H x L x W)| 12.99 in x 5.91 in x 2.18 in (330 mm x 150 mm x 55.4
mm)
Ingress protection| IP67
Ambient temperature operating range| -4 °F to +140 °F (-20 °C to +60 °C)
General|
Compliance
| FCC Part 15, class B ETL to IEC/UL 62368 CSA C22.2 62368-1
The height dimension includes a fully extended antenna. The width dimension increases by 0.47 in (12 mm) when a pole mount bracket is used.
Modbus Register Map
Ampt’s StringView® optimizer records use the SunSpec protocol for device ID
and variable record length to enable site-specific operation. Register blocks
for string data follow. Repeat the block for each string.
| Start offset | Size | Name | Type | R/W | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | SID | uint32 | R | A well-known value 0x53756e53, uniquely identifies this |
as a SunSpec Modbus Map
3| 1| ID| uint16| R| A well-known value 1, uniquely identifies this as a
SunSpec Common Model
4| 1| L| uint16| R| Well-known # of 16-bit registers to follow: 66
5| 16| Manufacturer| string| R| A well-known value registered with SunSpec for
compliance: “Ampt”
21| 16| Model| string| R| Manufacturer specific value “Communication Unit”
37| 8| Reserved| –| –|
45| 8| Version| string| R| Software Version
53| 16| Serial Number| string| R| Manufacturer specific value
69| 1| Device Address| int16| R/W| Modbus Device ID
71| 1| ID| uint16| R| Ampt SunSpec Vendor Code 64050
72| 1| L| uint16| R| Variable number of 16-bit registers to follow: 12 + N*16
73| 1| DCA_SF| int16| R| Current scale factor
74| 1| DCV_SF| int16| R| Voltage scale factor
75| 1| Reserved| –| –|
76| 1| DCkWh_SF| int16| R| Energy Scale Factor
77| 1| Reserved| –| –|
78| 1| N| uint16| R| Number of strings
79| 6| Reserved| –| –|
Register blocks for string data follow. Repeat block for each string.
85| 1| String ID| int16| R| String number
86| 2| Reserved| –| –|
88| 2| String data timestamp| uint32| R| UTC timestamp of the measurements
90| 1| OutDCA| int16| R| String output current in mA
91| 2| OutDCV| uint32| R| String output voltage in mV
93| 2| In1DCV| uint32| R| String input 1 voltage in mV
95| 2| In2DCV| uint32| R| String input 2 voltage in mV
97| 2| DCWh| uint32| R| Daily integrated string output energy in Wh
99| 1| In1DCA| int16| R| String input 1 current in mA
100| 1| In2DCA| int16| R| String input 2 current in mA
Repeat block for additional strings| | |
Chapter 2: Installing the Ampt CU
Overview
This chapter addresses the following: Mounting Considerations, Mounting
Example, Connecting Power over Ethernet, Configuring the Ampt CU Network
Settings, and Restoring Factory Defaults.
Mounting Considerations
Ampt CU Radio Wave Ranges
The nominal communication range for the Ampt CU is 50 meters (160 feet) and up
to 70 meters (230 feet) if there are no obstructions between the Ampt CU and
String Optimizer. The actual ranges depend on the mounting position of the
String Optimizers relative to the Ampt CU, obstructions between the String
Optimizer and the Ampt CU, and other variables common with wireless
communications. To maximize radio wave range, avoid mounting the Ampt CU near
large metal objects like inverters, combiner boxes, tracker arms, etc.
String Optimizer Antenna Location
Ampt String Optimizers have an antenna on the opposite side of the connectors.
Keep the plastic cover clear from obstructions – including cables, mounting
hardware, and PV modules, to allow radio waves from the Ampt CU.
Mounting Methods
Use the included mounting bracket and belts to mount to a pole or use the
mounting holes under the top and bottom blind covers to mount the Ampt CU to a
flat surface.
Pole Mounting Examples
The mounting examples below minimize obstructions to the antenna. To maximize
radio wave range, avoid mounting the Ampt CU near large metal objects like
inverters, combiner boxes, tracker arms, etc.
Connecting Ethernet
Follow the diagram to connect the Ethernet to the Ampt CU. The sealant, cinch
nut, and fitting are included with the Ampt CU.
- Remove plastic on both sides of the sealant.
- Apply the sealant as shown and mould around the cable.
- Slide the cinch nut over the cable.
- Slide the fitting over the cable with the orientation shown.
- Plug the Ethernet cable into the connector.
- Tighten the cinch nut.
Connecting Power over Ethernet
Use a Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector that meets the requirements in the
Specifications section. The diagram below illustrates the basic installation
of a PoE injector; however, be sure to follow the installation instructions
that come with your PoE device.
CAUTION
- Live voltages may be present on the PoE cables.
- Do not connect or disconnect the RJ45 connector if the PoE is powered on.
Configuring Network Settings and Establishing Communications
NOTICE
The tasks in this section should be performed by a Network Administrator. Use
a laptop with an ethernet connection and an internet browser to configure the
Ampt CU.
Please note the following
- The CU is configured for Static IP routing by default on the LAN
- The web interface to configure the Ampt CU is accessed via port 8080
- Modbus data is accessed via port 502
To configure the Ampt CU network settings:
- Ensure the laptop’s LAN settings are configured for a gateway setting of 10.60.80.1, netmask 24 (255.255.255.0) and a static IP of 10.60.80.90 (any IP in the range, as long as it is not .91).
- Connect the Ampt CU to a PoE switch or injector then power on the switch or injector. This should be done before connecting through a LAN, since your LAN setting may create a conflict.
- Open the laptop’s web browser and enter http://10.60.80.91:8080/ in the address bar. This may take several minutes after powering the PoE source.
- Complete the fields on the login page
- Login: admin, Password: password
- Once logged in, the Ampt CU home screen is displayed. Follow the onscreen instructions to establish communications with Ampt String Optimizers.
Overview of Ampt CU menu options
After logging in to the Ampt CU, the menu provides access to various features
and functionality. Follow the onscreen instructions for each option. Figure
12: Ampt CU user menu
Home
- At initial startup, this page provides on-screen instructions to establish communications with the Ampt String Optimizers.
- Once communications are established, this screen provides the string-l data being reported by the optimizers.
Settings
- Configure network settings
- Set the time zone and configure the time
- Reboot the system
Modbus
Provides a reference for the Modbus map
Download
- Provides access to download data reported from Ampt String Optimizers in CSV format.
- A new CU will not have any data available until it has been online for at least a day with Ampt String Optimizers reporting.
admin
- Allows access to change password and log out, once logged in
Appendix
FCC Compliance
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment
complies with radiation exposure limits set forth for uncontrolled
environments and must be installed to provide a separation distance of at
least 20 cm from all persons.
IMPORTANT! Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Ampt LLC
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Model: 31570025
FCC ID: X3R-31570025
IC: 8399A-31570025
RSS-GEN
This device contains license-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply
with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s license-exempt
RSS(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
- This device may not cause interference.
- This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
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