Xantrex Technology Inverter Communications Adapter manual

Inverter Communications Adapter (ICA) M ICA Owner’ s Manual[...]

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Inverter Communications Adapter Owner’s Manual[...]

About Xantrex Xantrex T echnology In c. is a world-leading suppl ier of advanced power electronics and controls with product s from 50 watt mobile units to one MW utility-scale systems for wind, solar , ba tteries, fuel cells, microturbines, and backup power applications in both gri d-connected and stand-alone systems. Xantrex products include inve[...]

iii About This Manual Purpose The purpose of this Owner ’ s Manual is to provide explanations and procedu res for installing, operatin g, maintaining, and troubl eshooting the Inverter Communications Adapter (ICA). Scope The Sine W ave Plus Inverter Communications Adapter (ICA) Owner ’ s Manual provides safety guidelines, planning and setup inf[...]

About T his Manual iv 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Conventions Used The following conv entions are used in this guide. Illustrations Since software levels can change frequently to incorporate upgrades and improvements, it is recommended that you visit www .xantrex.com for the latest version of this software. Therefore, please keep in mind that software lev[...]

About T his Manual 975-0052-01-01 Rev A v Abbreviations and Acronyms AC Alternating Current ASC Authorized Service Center AHJ Authority Having Jurisdi ction COM COMmunications Port DC Direct Current DOS Disk Operating System ICA Inverter Communications Adapter ICAP Inverter Communicati ons Adapter Program (software) ICM Inverter Control M odule ID [...]

About T his Manual vi 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Related Information Y ou can find more informatio n about Xantrex T echnology Inc. as well as its prod ucts and services at www .xantrex.com.[...]

vii Important Safety Instructions 1. Before installing the ICA, read all instructions and cautionary markings on th e ICA, the inverter , the batteries, and all appropriate sections of this guide. 2. Do not expose the ICA to rain, snow , or spray . 3. Use only attachments recommended or sold by the manufacturer . Doing otherw is e may result in a r[...]

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ix Important Safety Instructions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - vii 1 Installation Introduction - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 Features/Components - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 Connecting the ICA Cable - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 Connecti[...]

Contents x 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Help - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30 LEDs and LCD Display - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30 Multiple-Unit Drop-Down Box - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30 Navigation Buttons - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31 ICAP Keyboard and[...]

xi Figure 1-1 Inverter Communications Ad apter (ICA) - - - - - - - - - - 3 Figure 1-2 Connecting Directly to the In verter - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 Figure 1-3 Con necting the ICA to a Computer using a Modem - - - 7 Figure 1-4 Connecting Multiple ICAs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9 Figure 1-5 Enlargements of pin assignments and color[...]

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xiii Table 3-1 Keyboard Commands - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 32 Table 3-2 Keyboard Commands (ICAP Only) - - - - - - - - - - - - - 32 Table 3-3 Keyboard Comman ds (Terminal Emulation Programs Only) - - - - - - - - - - - 33 Table 3-4 Troubleshooting the ICA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 40 Ta b l e s[...]

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1 Installation Chapter 1, “Installation” de scribes how to install the ICA cable with or without a modem. The following topics are covered in this chapter . F or this topic... See ... “Introduction” page 2 “Features/Components” page 2 “Connecting the ICA Cable” page 4 “Connecting the ICA to a Computer using a Modem” page 6 “Co[...]

Installation 2 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Introduction The Inverter Communications Ad apter (ICA) allows any Sine W ave Plus Inv erter/Charger to be connected to a computer serial port or directly to a modem to be controlled and monitored over long distances. It uses the Inverter Communications Adapter Prog ram (ICAP) to communicate with the inverters an[...]

F eatures/Components 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 3 Figure 1-1 Inverter Communicati ons Adapter (ICA) ICA adapter DB-9 Serial port adapter 25’ phone cable[...]

Installation 4 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Connecting the ICA Cable The ICA converts the REMOTE port on the Sine W ave Plus Inverter/Charger into a standa rd RS232 type communications port interface. See Figure 1-2 for the location of the Remote Port on the Si ne W ave Plus Inv erter/Charger. T o install the ICA: 1. Connect the ICA adapter to the Sine W a[...]

Connec ting the ICA C able 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 5 Figure 1-2 Connecting Directly to the Inverter AC Side of Sine Wave Plus inverter R EMOTE Port ICA Adapter (LED and RJ11 port) LED illuminates when the ICA is able to communicate with the inverter. 1 2 3 4[...]

Installation 6 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Connecting the ICA to a Computer using a Modem The ICA can be connected directly to a modem for use in remote sites where a computer may not be available or desired. Any computer that has an available serial communications port and term inal emulatio n software can communicate with the SW Plus series inverter thr[...]

Connec ting the ICA C able 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 7 Figure 1-3 Connecting the ICA to a Computer using a Modem ICA Adapter[...]

Installation 8 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Connecting Multip le ICAs to a Single Computer Up to eight ICAs can be used with a single computer serial port. The four phone cable c onductors are simply run in parallel using standard pho ne cable line “splitters”. T o connect multiple adapters to a single serial port: 1. Connect each ICA adapter in dividu[...]

Connec ting the ICA C able 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 9 Figure 1-4 Connecting Multiple ICAs ICA Adapter (8 maximum)[...]

Installation 10 975-0052-01-01 Rev A P ositive Ground or PV Gr ound F ault Protection Installations When using the ICA in inverter installations that have DC ground fault protection (PVGFP-CF) or where the inverter is connected in a “positive ground ” configuration, an opto- isolator mus t be connected some where between the ICA a nd the comput[...]

Connec ting the ICA C able 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 11 RJ 11 connector on ICA Serial Port Adapter RJ 11 connector on 25-foot (4-conductor, telephone standard) cable RJ 11 connector on ICA Adapter Figure 1-5 Enlargements of pin assignme nts and color coding on ICA cable and connectors 5 4 3 2 1 6 BLACK (Y ELL OW *) RED ( GREE N*) GREEN (RED*) YE LLO W ([...]

Installation 12 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Additional P ossible Requirements The modem at the inverter lo cation may n eed to be DC powered if it is necessary to conn ect to the inverter during a fault condition where the inverter has shut of f its AC output. Advanced Monitoring Software The ICA was developed to change the Sine W ave Plus Inverter/Charge[...]

2 Configur ation Chapter 2, “Configuration” de scribes how to install the ICAP software provided with the ICA and how to set up a modem (if used). The following topics are covered in this chapter . For this topic ... See ... “Installing the ICA Software: ICAP” page 14 “T o install the software with Autorun enabled on your CDROM drive:” [...]

Configuration 14 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Installing the ICA Software: ICAP The Inverter Communications Adapter software program (ICAP) is included on the CD in the ICA package. It allows a personal computer to operate as a virtual control panel for up to eight Sine W av e Plus Inverter/Chargers. For other computer platform s, See “Setting Up a Modem[...]

Installing the ICA Software: ICAP 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 15 2. Click on the NEXT button to start the setup program. The License Agr eement screen should appear next. 3. Click on the ACCEP T button to accept the License Agreement and continue with the installation. The Important Information screen will appear next. 4. Review the list of req uired comp[...]

Configuration 16 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 5. The ICAP installation folder will default to the location shown in Figure 2-4. If you do not want th e software installed at the default locatio n, enter the de sired location in the window below “Install f iles to this location” or use the BROWSE button to navigate to the desired location. 6. Click on t[...]

Installing the ICA Software: ICAP 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 17 8. The Ready T o Install screen sh ould appear next. If you want to have a sh ortcut put on your desktop, click in the small box next to the question “D o you want a shortcut on your desktop?” A small ch eck mark should appear in the box. If you do not want a shortcut placed on your desk[...]

Configuration 18 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 10. After the setup program has updated your system, the Installed screen will appear to confirm that the installation was succe ssful. Click on the NEXT button to proceed to the final step. 1 1. When the setup program ha s finished installing the software the Readme Option screen will appear . If you do not wa[...]

Installing the ICA Software: ICAP 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 19 Starting Setup Manually T o start the program fr om the CD if Autorun is disabled on your computer: 1. Insert the ICAP CD into your CD ROM drive. 2. Open W indows Explorer (or Click o n My Computer) and navigate to the CDROM drive to view the contents of the disk. 3. Either: a) Double-click [...]

Configuration 20 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Starting Setup From a Command Pr ompt T o start the program fr om a command prompt: 1. Insert the ICAP CD into your CD ROM drive. 2. Click on ST AR T and select “RUN”. 3. Enter the drive letter assig ned to your CDROM an d the name of the installation program as shown in Figure 2- 10. 4. Follow the setup wi[...]

Setting U p a Modem Conn ection 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 21 Setting Up a Modem Connection Modem connection requires the use of a terminal emulation program. A modem is required at both the inverters and at the computer , with a phone line available to make the connection. The ICA supports use with most “terminal emulation” programs. Any computer th[...]

Configuration 22 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Establish the T ype of Connection T o establish the type of modem connection: 1. In the Phone Number dialog box (Figure 2-12), enter the following information. 2. Select one of the following in the “Connect Using” drop down list: 3. Click OK . The Pho ne Number dialog is closed. Country code: (e.g., United [...]

Setting U p a Modem Conn ection 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 23 Enter COM P ort Property V alues T o enter the COM port values: 1. In the COM1 Properties dialog (Figure 2-13) enter the following: *This setting must be “fixed”. Some programs will over-ri de this setting and will attempt to find the fastest speed. Ensure the accuracy of these settings. O[...]

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3 Oper ation Chapter 3, “Operation” desc ribes how to operate the ICAP software, change the ICAP settings, test, and troubleshoot the connection. The following topics are covered in this chapter . For this topic ... See ... “Starting ICAP” page 26 “User Interface Features” page 27 “Changing ICAP Settings” page 34 “T esting th e IC[...]

Operation 26 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Starting ICAP The ICA program can be started with either of the following methods. Method 1: If you allowed the setup program to put an application shortcut on your desktop: • Double click on the shortcu t icon on your desktop. Method 2: If you did NOT allow the setup program to put an application shortcut on you[...]

User Interface Features 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 27 User Interface F eatures The ICAP User Interface has the following features. The user can either click on the virtual buttons or u se keyboard commands to navi gate through the program. • The ICAP Menu Bar is used for setting ICA parameter s (such as number of connecte d inverters, port usage, custo[...]

Operation 28 975-0052-01-01 Rev A ICAP Menu Bar Use the features of the ICAP Menu Bar to access and/or alter programmable para me ters for the ICA Ad apter . The ICAP Menu bar consists of the following commands: •E x i t • Go Past END MENU • ICA Commands • Communications •H e l p Exit Exit the ICAP program by using one of the following me[...]

User Interface Features 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 29 Go P ast END MENU This command provides the mean s for the user to move past the END MENU of each menu map for the SW Plus Inverter . Pressing the virtual Navigation Buttons in ICAP will not take the user past the End Menu in each Menu Map like the ICM does. Menu maps include the User Menu, the Setup [...]

Operation 30 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Communications This drop-down menu item provides a means to reset the RS232-port used by the ICA and select the number of ICAs attached. H ELP Access help information by using one of the following methods: • Click here on the Menu Bar • Press F1 • Press AL T + H + H T o leave HELP , press ESC. LEDs and LCD Di[...]

User Interface Features 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 31 Navigation Buttons Use the virtual Navigation Buttons to move around within the Menu Maps. Navigation bu ttons are grouped into fou r categories: • INV or GEN button s access Inverter or Generator features. • The Menu Heading buttons access the Menu Headings for each menu map. • The Menu Item b [...]

Operation 32 975-0052-01-01 Rev A T able 3-1 Ke y b o a r d C o m m a n d s K eystroke Function L, l Menu Headings (Previous Menu Heading) R, r Menu Headings (Next Menu Heading) U, u Menu Item (Previous Menu Item) D, d Menu Item (Next Menu Item) + Set Point (higher value) – Set Point (lower value) I, i Inverter O N / OFF Menu (same as the RED but[...]

User Interface Features 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 33 T able 3-3 K eyboard Commands (T erminal Emulation Programs Only) K eystroke Function 1-8 Select inverter: 1 through 8 is the invert er ’ s ID number , 1 is the default. S Setup Menu - Accesses either “BEGIN BASIC SETUP” or “BEGIN ADV ANCED SETUP” Menus. ? or / Sends ASCII LED S tatus. The i[...]

Operation 34 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Changing ICAP Settings ICAP enables you to change ce rtain settings to accommodate your specific configuration. Th is is done by using the ICA C OMMANDS and C OMMUNICATION commands on the ICAP Menu Bar . Use the ICA Command s to change configuration parameters for the ICA adapte r . Use the Communications Commands [...]

Changing ICAP Settings 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 35 Identifying Single or Mult iple ICAs T o establish multiple inverters in ICAP , start ICAP and follow the steps illustrated in Figure 3-3. Figure 3-3 Identifying th e Number of ICAs attached 2. Click this dr op down box to display the opti ons. 3. Select the approp riate number for the number of ICAs c[...]

Operation 36 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Assigning ID Numbers to the ICA If you are installing a multiple-i nverter system, you will need to identify each inverter to be monitored and assign an ID number to that inverter and IC A. It is recommended that you label each cable as well for ease of identification at a later date. T o change ID Number on the IC[...]

Changing ICAP Settings 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 37 Figure 3-4 Assigning ID Numbers to the ICA Important: Y ou must click on the W RITE New ID button to save changes made to the Advanced Configuratio n Settings. Clicking on the OK button will only exit the window wi thout saving the changes. 1. Click on ICA C OMMANDS Menu, then select R EAD C ONFIGURATI[...]

Operation 38 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Advanced Configuration Settings The Advanced Configura tion settings include the C ONFIGURATION PARAMETER , the D ESELECT T IME , and the S ERIAL N UMBER and should only be changed as directed by Xantrex personnel. T o make changes to the Advanced Configuration settings: Figure 3-5 Changing the Advanced Configurati[...]

Changing ICAP Settings 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 39 Changing the PC’ s COM P ort Number T o change the COM port number , start ICAP and follow the procedure illustrated in Figure 3 -6. COM Port options range from 1 to 8. Figure 3-6 Changing the PC’ s COM P ort Number 2. Click in this box to display ports 1 through 8 3. Select the appropriate number [...]

Operation 40 975-0052-01-01 Rev A T esting the ICA In order to test the ICA, it must be plugged into an inverter that is powered up on batteri es or other suitable power supply . Press the first unit’ s ID number (1 is the default) on your computer keyboard. If everything is correct, the inverter ’ s display will change (and reflect) the same a[...]

T roubleshooting the I CA 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 41 T roubleshooting if No Resp onse comes from the ICA Check ID If the ICA is not responding, en sure you have the correct “ICA unit number” selected on the ICAP user interface window , see figure 3-2. If you selected “ICA Unit 1” and nothing happened, then try sel ecting “ICA Unit 2” and s[...]

Operation 42 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Reset Program Reset the program by closing the ICAP program. Then disconnect the ICA adapter and p lug it back in, making sure the phone cord is secu rely plugged in. When you plug in the ICA, the green LED on the ICA adapter sh ould light up. Phone Connections Be sure that the phone cable is the correct type. The [...]

T roubleshooting the I CA 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 43 Check Configuration W ith the ICAP software, only have one ICA adapter connected. Check the ICA adapte r ’ s configuration code (02) and deselected time (03). Reset if needed and retry . If multiple ICA adapters are connected, disconnect them and try each individually with a single cable and no ot[...]

Operation 44 975-0052-01-01 Rev A On the other hand, if the SW Plus inve rter ’ s display is parked on a static menu item, then wh en you startup, the software window may show a blank display for a few seconds. This condition is nothing to wo rry about and should correct itself in about 1 minute. When the ICAP software shuts down, it will try to [...]

45 W arranty and Return Information Wa r r a n t y What does this warranty cover? This Limited W arranty is provided by Xantrex T echnology , Inc. ("Xantrex") and covers defe cts in workmanship and materials in your Inverter Communications Adapte r. This warranty period last s for two (2 ) years from the date of purchase at the point of s[...]

W arranty and Return 46 975-0052-01-01 Rev A What proof of purchase is r equired? In any warranty claim, dated proof of purchase must accompany the product and the product must not have been disassembled or modified without prior writte n authorization by Xantrex. Proof of purchase may be in any one of the following forms: • The dated purchase re[...]

W arranty and Return 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 47 IN NO EVENT WILL XANTREX BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT , INDIRECT , INCIDENT AL OR CONSEQUENTIAL D AMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS OR EXPENSES HOWEVER ARISING WHETHE R IN CONTRACT OR TOR T INCLUDING WITHOUT RESTRICTION ANY E CONOMIC LOSSES OF ANY KIND, ANY LOSS OR DAM AGE TO PROPER TY , ANY PERSONAL INJUR Y , [...]

W arranty and Return 48 975-0052-01-01 Rev A Return Procedur e 1. Package the unit safely , preferably usi ng the original box and packing materials. Please ensure that your produc t is shipped fully insured in the original packaging or equivalent. This warranty wi ll not apply where the product is damaged due to improper packaging. 2. Include the [...]

W arranty and Return 975-0052-01-01 Rev A 49 Information About Y our System As soon as you open your Inverter Communi cations Adapter package, record the following information and be sure to keep your proof of purchase. If you need to contact Customer Service, please record th e following details before calling. This information will help our repre[...]

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A Abbreviations and A cronyms v C CD with ICAP Software 2 changing the COM port number 39 color coding for ICA phone cabl e 11 connecting multiple ICAs to a single computer 8 Customer Service preparing to call 49 I ICAP software configuring 34 installing 14 keyboard commands in 31 using advanced monitoring software with 12 Information about Y our S[...]

Index 52 975-0052-01-01 Rev A W warranty out of warranty service 48 terms and conditions 45 X Xantrex web site vi[...]

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Xantrex Technology Inc. 1 800 670 0707 Tel toll free NA 1 360 925 5097 Tel direct 1 360 925 5143 Fax direct customerservice@xantrex.com www.xantrex.com 975-0052-01-01 Revision A PC Printed in USA[...]