victron energy EM24 Energy Meter Three Phase Current Instructions

June 20, 2024
victron energy

victron energy EM24 Energy Meter Three Phase Current Instructions

Introduction

The Victron EM24 Ethernet is a standard device for measuring power and energy in a 3-phase application, such as in a distribution box or to measure the output of a PV inverter, alternator or inverter and inverter/charger.
Its data will be displayed on the GX device and on our MIA portal.

functions

The EM24 Ethernet can be configured for four different roles in a GX device such as the Cerbo GX :

  1. As a network counter and used as a control input for the ESS system.
  2. Measure the output of the PV inverter.
  3. Measure the output of the alternator.
  4. As an AC meter to measure the output of an inverter or inverter/charger.

It offers one option to connect to the GX device:
A wired Ethernet connection to the local network so that the GX device can access it.

Installation and configuration

AC cables

Configuration options

The GX unit has the option of grid meter, PV inverter, generator or AC meter configuration. For more information on GX device configuration, see GX device configuration [4]. This choice will affect how the system should be wired and how the information from the meter will be displayed on the screen.
See below for schematics of the various wiring options:

 System examples

Example charts

When used to measure a PV inverter, terminals 1, 4, and 7 must point to the PV inverter to ensure correct current and power direction.

Single phase, single functions

Note the jumper between terminals 1 and 4. This connector is not needed if you have the AV2 version.
The diagrams show the wiring when used as a network meter.
To measure a single-phase PV inverter in phase 3 of the system, connect all 3 phases to the mains phase terminals (3, 6 and 9). Now you can choose which phase you want the PV inverter to be in by connecting the L1 line of the PV inverter to terminals 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 the other input of the energy meter, make sure that the energy meter uses L1 and the PV inverter uses L2.
Front selector
Replace the front selector to prevent it from locking. This allows it to be automatically configured by the GX device. The front selector is located next to the screen as shown in the image above.

2.2. GX device configuration

3. FAQ

Question 1: Can I connect three ET112 in a 3-phase system?
No. Use a real 3-phase meter.
Question 2: Can I use other gauges, for example from other brands?
No.
Question 3: I already have a Fronius SmartGrid meter, can I use it?
No.
Question 4: What is the difference 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:

  • ET meters do not have a display. The only thing they have is an LED that blinks in case of an active connection.

  • ET meters have two RJ45 sockets, but they are not used with the Victron RS485 to USB interface. However, note the potential confusion of yet another RJ45 socket in the Victron world. Do not mix this with VE.Bus, VE.Can or VE.net.
    In addition to the RJ45 sockets, the meters still have screw terminals under the RS485 cable sockets, so we advise you to connect the meter to the RS485 to USB interface and then to the GX device.

  • Since there is no display, the modbus address can no longer be changed in the counter. Victron therefore does not support combining multiple of those counters on a single RS485 network. Multiple RS485 to USB interfaces are recommended.
    3 phase counter only:

  • Energy metering from a single-phase PV inverter in the second phase of a 3-phase meter actually works.
    Q5: Do you still ship both 3 phase meters? (ET340 and EM540)
    Yes. There are still situations for everyone. See Q8.
    Question 6: Can I buy those counters directly from Carlo Gavazzi instead of you?
    Yes. It’s also why we don’t hide CG part numbers.
    Question 7: I want to use current transformers (CT), is this possible?
    Yes. You can buy the CG EM24DINAV53DISX or CG EM530DINAV53XS1X directly from Carlo Gavazzi or one of their
    distributors. Although Victron does not have this type of counter, we do support it in our software.
    Question 8: What is the difference between ET340 and EM540 in 3-phase systems?
    These meters calculate the total amount of imported and exported energy differently.
    The ET340 calculates the imported and exported energy at each individual stage and then sums those values ​​to give a total.
    In the EM540, the energy imported and exported is calculated as total power, and the net differences in each phase cancel each other out.
    Which energy meter is most suitable depends on the metering configuration in your country. This is most common in Austria and Germany, e.g. in a 3-phase system only the full amount will be charged. So it’s more accurate to use EM540 to fit the bill.
    So if you export from one phase and import from another phase after the energy meter but before the billing meter, you will not be charged for it and the meter should not count as import and export.
    So does Victron’s phase compensation feature to maximize ESS system cost savings when there is a difference in generation and load between phases.
    Question 9: Can I use an isolated USB-RS485 interface?
    Yes. The interfaces we sell are not isolated; suitable for many uses.
    If you need insulated; buy it directly from Hjelmslund Electronics.

  • USB485-STIXL: Isolated USB to RS485 converter

Question 10: Can I use Victron energy meters instead of a Victron inverter/charger to use a GX device (eg Cerbo GX), VRM and other features?
The energy meters are designed to complement the Victron inverter/charger in the system. Energy meters are currently limited. Each energy meter is designed to provide only certain additional information – total AC load
input and grid import/export, or AC PV inverter and alternator production without grid connections.
However, initially it is entirely possible to use only the GX device in conjunction with an energy meter to determine and record consumption, e.g. of buildings/buildings, heating systems with heat pumps, ventilation and air conditioning or production
facilities. The collected data can then be evaluated to decide the type, size and number of Victron inverter/charger(s), solar system and batteries required.
With GX device software version 2.80 and above, they can also be used for other purposes, such as measuring specific, arbitrary AC loads or circuits such as ample. However, this should not be considered a replacement for a Victron inverter/charger. Tried
using other brands of battery converters and trying to replace the lack of data connection with the GX unit using power meters will not work as expected.

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