APsystems ECU-B Energy Communication Unit User Manual

: June 6, 2024
: APsystems

Table of Contents

Introduction
Interface Explanation
Hardware Installation
ECU-B User Interface
Do-It-Yourself Registration
Technical Data
Contact Information
References
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ECU-B Energy Communication Unit
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Introduction

The APsystems Energy Communication Unit (ECU-B) is the information gateway for our inverters.ECU-B has been specially developed to monitor small PV systems up to 4 PV modules. The unit collects module performance data from each individual inverter and transfers this information to an Internet database in real-time, requiring only a single data and power cable.
Through the APsystems Energy Monitoring and Analysis software, the ECU-B gives you precise analysis of each inverter and module in your solar installation from APP. The user-friendly interface lets you access your solar array in seconds.

Features

Collects individual PV module and microinverter statistics
Communicates in real-time
Requires no additional wiring

The APsystems ECU-B is used in utility-interactive grid-tied applications,
typically consisting of five key elements:

APsystems microinverter(s)
APsystems Energy Communication Unit (ECU-B)
EMA Manager APP: for the installer to set up the ECU-B
EMA APP: to enable end-users to have access to the data and performance of their system anytime, anywhere
APsystems Energy Monitoring and Analysis (EMA): web-based monitoring and analysis system, for both end-users and installers

Interface Layout
The ECU-B interface includes, (figure 2) from left to right

Reset button
Wifi antenna connector (WLAN communication between ECU and router)
power connection port
Zigbee antenna connector (communication between ECU and microinverters)

On the side ECU: from top to bottom are:

USB port: the USB interface is reserved.
AP button: in case there is need to activate the ECU-B hotspot (see later in the document)

Interface Explanation

Reset
Press the Reset button for three seconds or longer, and the ECU-B will automatically return to the default settings.

NOTICE
The wireless password will be changed to “88888888”.
Power Connection Port
The power connection port connects power through the power adapter.
Antenna
The antennas in the package should be connected to ECU-B. One antenna is used for the communication between ECU-B and inverters, the other antenna is used for the Wi-Fi connection between ECU-B and router.

USB port
The USB interface is reserved.

AP
The AP button enables you to turn on the ECU wifi hotspot. When setting up the ECU, the installer needs to first connect to the ECU hotspot via his smartphone or tablet.
Press the AP button for a few seconds: the ECU hotspot will be live for one hour. If more time is needed to set up the ECU, press the AP button to reactivate the hotspot. APsystems ECU B Energy Communication Unit - figure
4

LED1
LED1 will be ON (green light) when the ECU is powered ON.

LED2
LED2 will be ON (green light) when the ECU is exchanging data with the EMA server.
When you haven’t entered microinverters UID into the ECU-B, or The ECU cannot connect to the EMA server, LED2 is OFF.

Hardware Installation

Preparation
Make sure you have the following components ready before beginning to install the ECU-B:

A dedicated standard AC electrical outlet (located as close as possible of the PV array to ensure good communication between ECU and microinverters).
A wireless router.
A smartphone or tablet with EMA Manager APP ready to use (see page 10).

Selecting an Installation Location for the ECU-B

Choose a location that is as close as possible to the PV array.
The ECU-B is NOT rated for outdoor use. If installing outdoor, ensure that the ECU-B is put in a waterproof box and that the antenna (wifi and ZigBee) are placed outside of the box to ensure optimum communication. In case you need to use extension antennas to be closer to the PV array, please make sure the extension antennas are Wifi 2.4GHz with SMA connectors male/female. These extension antennas are not supplied by APsystems but can be purchased at any electrical/PV shop.

Installation

Using a Wall Mount
When mounting the ECU-B to a wall, make sure to select a cool, dry indoor location.
• Depending on the wall surface you are mounting the ECU-B to, use either two drywall screws or wall anchors, installed 100 mm apart (The drywall screws and wall anchors are not included in the ECU-B kit).
• Align and slide the ECU-B onto the mounting screws.
if the ECU-B is not mounted on a wall mount, you can put it anywhere on a flat surface or furniture, close to a power outlet.

Cable Connection

Using a Wall Mount
• Connect the adapter to the power connection port on the top of the ECU-B.
NOTICE
The antennas used for the Zigbee port and WI-FI port are exactly the same type, no need to distinguish.
Power Distribution Cabinet Installation
• Install the socket on the guide rail (The socket will not be supplied by APsystems Please prepare it yourself).
• Connect the adapter to the power connection port on the top of the ECU-B.

NOTICE
ECU antennas must be left outside of the cabinet, even if the cabinet is made of plastic. Please make sure the extension antennas are Wifi 2.4GHz with SMA connectors male/female. These extension antennas are not supplied by APsystems but can be purchased at any electrical/PV shop.

Internet Connection

APsystems ECU B Energy Communication Unit - figure 8 Use ECU-B internal WLAN (see Manage the WLAN connection ).

ECU-B User Interface

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EMA Manager APP: for installers
• Professional installers: all features available
• DIY (Do It Yourself) installers: only ECU_APP features available
EMA APP: for end-users only

Connecting to the ECU-B via the Local Wireless

Make sure you have downloaded the EMA Manager APP on your smartphone or tablet
Make sure the ECU-B hotspot is activated (if not, press the AP button for a few seconds)
Open Settings > Wi-Fi in your smartphone or tablet
Select ECU-B hotspot: name is ECU_B_2163XXXX (mimicking ECU-B serial number)
Connect your smartphone or tablet to the ECU-B hotspot. The default password is “88888888” (8 times 8)
Once the connection is established with the ECU-B hotspot, open the EMA Manager APP.
Select “ECU APP” to enter into the commissioning tool (you can access to ECU APP without any login or password).

Enter microinverters UID (serial numbers) into the ECU-B

Click “Workspace”, select “ID Management”,
input the microinverters UID (serial number: 12 digits starting with a 4, a 5, a 7, or an 8) manually, or scan the UID with your smartphone or tablet scanner.
Once the microinverters UID have been entered, please press “Sync”

NOTICE
Please do not enter the ECU UID into the ID management menu (serial number of 12 digits starting with 2163-).
APsystems ECU B Energy Communication Unit - figure 10 Historical ID

If the ECU accidentally emptied the inverter list, you can use the same mobile phone to quickly restore the inverter id list.

Delete UID

In case of wrong entry or typo, select the microinverter UIDs, click “Delete” then click “Sync”. The selected UID(s) will be removed from the ECU-B.
Note: when deleting, please press also “Sync”. Otherwise, the microinverter will not be removed from the ECU-B. Once the microinverter’s UID has been successfully entered into the ECU-B, you need to select the grid profile and define the time zone of your ECU.

Grid Profile

From the workspace, select “Grid profile”
First, select the country and then the city.

NOTICE
If you select the wrong grid profile, the microinverters may not start or may not produce as per optimal performance.

Time management

From the workspace, please select the menu “ECU Date Settings” manual set-up, click “Date”, “Time” and “Timezone” to modify.
Automated set-up: Click “Time quick setting”: the APP will synchronize on the time and time zone as per smartphone or tablet settings.

ECU Network Settings
WLAN

From the Workspace menu, select “ECU Network settings”
Swipe down the screen, the available SSIDs will be displayed
Select the network of your choice and enter its password
When connecting to the local Wifi, the smartphone or tablet may lose its connection to the ECU hotspot and connect to other wifi network or 4G.
If more operations are needed to finish up the ECU commissioning, please make sure to reconnect your smartphone or tablet to the ECU hotspot (may have to press the AP button to re-activate the hotspot)
When your smartphone or tablet is connected to the ECU hotspot again, you can open the ECU APP home page and check the internet connection status.
The first bullet (with ECU UID) when green shows that the smartphone/tablet is properly connected to the ECU hotspot.
The 2nd bullet shall be green if the wifi connection has been successfully established.

Checking the commissioning of the ECU-B

Once the ECU-B has been commissioned, the installer can check status on the home page of the ECU APP:
Several info is displayed
– Systems info (ECU UID, serial number)
– a number of microinverters communicating with the ECU / total number of microinverters entered in the ECU (with ID Management menu).
Status of connectivity
The traffic light (on the left) in front of the ECU UID shows connectivity status between smartphone or tablet and ECU hotspot:
• Smartphone or tablet is connected to the ECU hotspot.
• Smartphone or tablet is not connected to the ECU hotspot. Please try again by pressing the AP button.
The traffic light (on the right) shows the connectivity status between the ECU and the local internet
• The ECU is connected to the local internet.
• The ECU is not connected to the internet.

Other info visible from the home page ower output of the day

Total power output since installation
CO₂Reduction since installation.

Module

This page displays the microinverters entered in the ECU (Menu ID Management) and properly registered by the ECU
A dual microinverter will be shown by default with 2 PV modules, while a quad microinverters will be shown by default with 4 PV modules. if some DC channels are not connected on purpose, the ECU_APP will display the maximum number of panels that can be connected to a given microinverter
Removing unused channels needs to be done from the EMA installer account when creating an end-user account.
On the module page, the installer can visualize the performance of microinverters registered into the ECU.
Click “Panel”: the detailed information of the microinverter is displayed, including inverter UID, PV module DC power, grid voltage, frequency and temperature.

Data

In this Menu, you can view the detailed data at system level:
-Per day
-Per month

Inverter Connection Progress

This menu shows the connection progress and communication quality between the microinverter and ECU, 100% means the connection is over.
The inverters with “OK” have connected ECU

Automatic System Check

Once the ECU has been commissioned, the menu “Automatic System Check” can help you to check the proper communication and production of each microinverters.
This menu also gives some basic troubleshooting tips.

ECU AP Settings

This menu can be used if you would like to change the default password of the ECU-B hotspot.
Please connect to the ECU hotspot first, open the menu “ECU APP settings” and change the password at your convenience.
If doing a reset of the ECU, the password will be reinitialized as 88888888.

Do-It-Yourself Registration

This menu is only for DIY installers: it will allow the DIY installer to create their EMA account by themselves. They can later on access to their account via the EMA APP.
Once the ECU has been properly commissioned, make sure to connect your smartphone or tablet to the local internet.
Enter “Do it Yourself Registration Menu” and follow instructions to create your own EMA account.

Settings

This basic menu allows you to change the Language: 6 languages are available: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese.

Technical Data

Communication Interface

Integrated Wi-Fi| 802.11g/n
Communication| ZigBee 2.4 GHz
Wireless security| WEP, WPA2-PSK
USB Interface| 5Vdc-0.5A Output
Power Requirements
AC Adapter| 5V, 2A
Power Consumption| 1.7W
Maximum Communicating PV Module Qty| 4
Mechanical Data
Dimensions (W×H×D)| 122mm×87mm×25mm(4.8’’×3.4’’×0.98’’)
Weight| 150g (0.33lbs)
Ambient Temperature Range| -20°C to +65°C (-4℉ to +149℉)
Cooling| Nature Convection; No Fans
Enclosure Environmental Rating| Indoor – NEMA 1 (IP20)
Features
Compliance| IEC 60950-1, EN60950-1, IEC 60529, EN
60529, ANSI/UL 60950-1,
CAN/CSA C22.2 No.60950-1, UL50E, FCC
part 15, EN61000-6-1,
EN61000-6-3, ICES-003, AS NZS 60950-1,
GB/T17799

Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Please ensure you are using the most recent update found at www.APsystems.com.
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 Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

WEEE (for Europe)

Disposal of your old appliance

When this crossed-out wheeled bin symbol is attached to a product, it means the product is covered by the European Directive 2002/96/EC.
All electrical and electronic products should be disposed of separately from the municipal waste stream via designated collection facilities appointed by the government or the local authorities.
The correct disposal of your old appliance will help prevent potential negative consequences for the environment and human health.
For more detailed information about disposal of your old appliance, please contact your city office, waste disposal service, or the shop where you purchased the product.

CAUTION
The professional person is allowed to replace the battery.
Do not ingest battery, Chemical Burn Hazard.
This product contains a coin/button cell battery. If the coin/button cell battery is swallowed, it can cause severe internal burns in just 2 hours and can lead to death. Keep new and used batteries away from children. If you think batteries might have been swallowed or placed inside any part of the body, seek immediate medical attention.