Installation Note: IN0061 - Rev 06

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Introduction

The SP PRO's Managed AC Coupling functionality links Selectronic Certified (SCERT) Solar Inverters to the SP PRO via the AC Load supply. Compatible SP PRO models can manage and control SCERT inverters for both on-grid or off-grid applications.

Each SP PRO Phase Manager can control up to five SCERT inverters and twice the total continuous rating of the SP PROs in the phase. The SP PRO commands each inverter to output the required power to simultaneously supply the load, export to the grid, and charge the battery bank as needed. This is done via a communications link between the SP PRO and the SCERT inverters.


Single-phase managed AC coupled system with five Fronius GEN24 Primos

This document only applies to SCERT GEN24 Fronius Primo inverters that have been programmed by Selectronic. GEN24 SCERT inverters can be identified by a sticker on the front of the product.



Each inverter must be installed as per their individual installation instructions with the additional allowance for communications cables linking all of the inverters together.


Contents

  1. Compatibility and Requirements  
  2. SP PRO Configuration
  3. AC Wiring
  4. Communications Link 
  5. GEN24 Configuration
  6. Network Configuration
  7. Setting Time Zone
  8. Verification of Data Link
  9. Verification of Fallback Mode
  10. Fronius SCERT “Backup Ready” Connection
  11. Export Power Limit

1. Compatibility and Requirements 

 SP PRO System
 Primo GEN24 SCERT
 SP PRO Series I single phase
 No
 SP PRO Series II single phase
 No
 SP PRO Series II multi phase (legacy)
 No
SP PRO Series II with Advanced Comms Card, single, split or three phase Powerchain.
 Yes*
SP PRO Series 2i single, split or three phase Powerchain.
 Yes*
*Only SP PRO Series 2i with hardware revision 22 and above or Series II with revision 20 and above when fitted with Advanced Comms Cards (obtainable from Comms Card 2017 upgrade kit) are supported for SCERT Fronius GEN24 Primo.
*On-grid systems with the following models are NOT compatible with the SCERT Gen24 - SPMC240-AU, SPMC241-AU and SPMC1201.

  • Each SP PRO Phase Manager can control up to five SCERT inverters and twice the total continuous rating of the SP PROs in the phase. This may be reduced further depending on your battery size or Electricity company allowances for On Grid systems.
  • Phase Worker SP PROs cannot control SCERT inverters.
  • The Fronius SnapINverter and GEN24 cannot be connected to the same SP PRO phase.
  • The SP PRO and Fronius GEN24 SCERT Managed AC coupling cannot be used with a Fronius Smart Meter.
  • The SP PRO & Advanced Comm Card must have firmware version 15.23 & 5.02 or higher.
  • The Fronius inverter must be Selectronic Certified. Other Fronius inverters will not operate correctly.
Unit Applications

  • On-Grid: The GEN24 Primo is compatible with SP PRO configured as On-grid AS/NZS 4777.2:2020, with the following models only - SPMC480-AU, SPMC481-AU, SPMC482-AU, SPLC1200 and SPLC1202.

    • NOT compatible - SPMC240-AU, SPMC241-AU and SPMC1201. 

    • For a Solar Hybrid (grid connected) system, the minimum capacity of the battery connected to the SP PRO varies depending on SP PRO model and the battery type.  When the system is islanded (e.g. during a grid outage) the SP PRO will limit the output of the AC coupled solar based on the installed battery size.

  • Off-grid: The GEN24 Primo is compatible with any SP PRO Series 2i model or SP PRO Series II with Advanced Comms card, configured as Off-grid.
    • For an Off-Grid system, the minimum capacity of the battery connected to the SP PRO varies depending on SP PRO model, the battery type and the total rating of all the connected Fronius GEN24 SCERT inverters.

2. SP PRO Configuration

The latest SP LINK Software must be used. This document should be read in conjunction with the SP PRO Instruction Manual which will contain more detailed instructions for SP LINK.

Check the firmware of the SP PRO

Go to Data View > Inverter Details. The Software Version and Comm Card SW Version must be 15.23 & 5.02 or higher respectively.
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A settings backup of the SP PRO and reset to factory defaults needs to be performed if upgrading from AS4777:2015 software version 14.58 or prior. This needs to be done prior to a firmware update.
Tip: Performance Data > Download All will download the system logs in addition to a backup copy of the current configuration file.
The firmware of an SP PRO can be updated through File > Firmware Update.

Configure the SP PRO with the help of the Site Configuration Wizard in SP LINK’s Easy Start Guide. File > Site Information > New. Follow the instructions at the end to upload the configuration file.

Note: Do not update Fronius GEN24 SCERT firmware unless instructed by Selectronic.

Check the settings of the SP PRO
Make sure the correct type of inverter, and number of inverters are selected under Configuration Settings > System.

If the 'Fronius GEN24 Primo' is not selectable, then the software version must not be compatible.

3. AC Wiring

Install Fronius GEN24 SCERTs as per the installation guides.

For correct and safe operation, the Fronius AC output wiring must be connected to the AC Load terminals of the SP PRO in accordance with local wiring rules.


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Fronius AC Wiring guide for Off Grid installation

Note: The system will not function correctly if the Fronius Primos are installed on the AC Source side of the SP PRO.



4. Communications Link 

The communication link always starts at the SP PRO, then daisy-chains to all Fronius SCERTs in the system using RJ45 splitters.  

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Using the supplied CAT5 network cable connect one end to the RS485 Port 2 RJ45 connector on the SP PRO’s Communications Card. 

At the Fronius SCERT 01, connect the CAT5 cable to the RS485 adapter cable that is connected to the Fronius communications connector.



Note: The RJ45 adapter cable comes connected to the Data Manager Connector within the Fronius SCERT.

For a single unit or the last unit on the chain the Cat5 (RJ45) cable is inserted as below.


                                      

For other units the RJ45 splitter (supplied) is required as shown below.




5. GEN24 Configuration

Access the Fronius web interface using the Solar.start app. 

Follow the on-screen prompts and connect to the GEN24.

Complete the setup wizard. Importantly, select the correct country code and connect the system to Solar.web if there is an internet connection. Leave other fields as default if unsure.

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Note: It is important that the Fronius inverter is connected to Solar.web so that Fronius may access the system remotely to perform problem diagnosis and resolution, and access data that is not obtainable through the SP PRO.
The Fronius GEN24 SCERT is configured to use Modbus 1 for communication. For multiple Fronius GEN24 SCERT inverters connected to an SP Pro the Modbus address for each must be set.

Tap on the profile icon and login as Technician with the password found behind the cover of all SCERT Fronius GEN24.
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Tap on collapsible menu icon and navigate to Communication > Modbus.

Set the Modbus address of each GEN24 to an incrementing value starting from 1.

Settings aside from the Inverter Address should be left as shown in the pictures here (and on the supplied Installation Overview poster). Modbus RTU Interface 1 needs to be 'slave' on all units.

Each device has a terminating resistor switch. This switch must be ON (right) for the last device on the chain and OFF for all others. For a single inverter the switch must be ON. WSD also needs to be ON for all.

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6. Network Configuration

Configuration of the network settings allows for access to web interface without using access point and for integration to Solar.web.

To setup network configuration open the access point as described in the Fronius GEN24 manual and connect with ethernet or WLAN. Ethernet cable should be plugged into LAN1 socket.

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For ethernet connection Automatic and Static IP address can be selected.
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For Wi-Fi connection select required SSID. 

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Enter password for selected SSID and IP address allocation method.

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7. Setting Time Zone

With connection to web interface from the dashboard navigate to System -> General and set the time zone and location. Click save to update.








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8. Verification of Data Link

In SP LINK, check Data View > Now.
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You should see the model name of each inverter.

In the Service Settings tab click the 'Reset Counters' button.

Wait and check the error count. An error count of 5 or fewer per minute is acceptable but if in doubt it is good practice to check the wiring and that the termination switches are set correctly in the SP PRO and Fronius SCERTs.

Once the Communications link has been verified for each Fronius SCERT, switch the DC feeds to each inverter on and perform the verification steps below.


9. Verification of Fallback Mode

When a Fronius SCERT loses communications with the SP PRO, the output of the Fronius SCERT will drop to zero power after a few seconds.

To verify this function, disconnect the communications lead between the SP PRO and Fronius SCERT, wait 10 seconds.

Go to INFO > Readings menu on the front display of the first Fronius SCERT and check that the external limit (ext. Lim.) drops to 0%.


10. Fronius SCERT “Backup Ready” Connection


The following steps are for when Selectronic Certified SCERT Fronius units are installed without an SP PRO,  

A link must be fitted to the orange “Digital I/Os Connector” from the “V+” pin to IO “2” pin so that Fronius SCERTs can produce full power. 

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The country code must be set to AU – Australia.


  1. Access the Fronius web interface using Solar.start app, as instructed in Section 5.
  2. Login as Technician with the password provided with each Fronius GEN24.
  3. Navigate to “Safety and Grid Regulations” -> “Country Setup”
  4. Enter the code which may be obtained by contacting Fronius directly.
  5. Set the Country / Region to Australia and the Grid Code appropriately. 


11. Export Power Limit


The following steps are for when Export Limitation is required for a Selectronic Certified SCERT Fronius units installed without an SP PRO. Refer to the Fronius instruction manual for details of export power limitations. 

Set the country code as instructed in Section 10 but DO NOT fit the wire link. 

  1. Access the Fronius web interface using Solar.start app, as instructed in Section 5.
  2. Login as Technician with the password provided with each Fronius GEN24.
  3. Navigate to “Safety and Grid Regulations” -> “Export Limitation”.
  4. Set the export limitation as required.  
  5. Navigate to “Safety and Grid Regulations” -> “I/O Power Management”.
  6. Disable Rule 1.
  7. Save the settings.  

 

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If the system is later installed with an SP Pro this rule MUST be re-enabled. 

Additional Information:
Visit the Selectronic: Knowledge Base or contact Selectronic via the Customer Portal.