IN0065 - SP PRO Fronius Verto SCERT

Installation Note: IN0065 - Rev 01 Image Placeholder

Introduction

The SP PRO Managed AC Coupling provides a method of linking Selectronic Certified (SCERT) Fronius Verto grid-tie inverters to the SP PRO via the AC Load supply. Regardless of whether the grid or a generator is connected, the SP PRO can manage and control Fronius SCERT inverters.

Each SP PRO Manager can control a maximum of five Fronius SCERT inverters by commanding each one to output the required amount of power to simultaneously supply the load, export to the grid, and charge the battery bank as required at any particular point in time. This is achieved via a communications link between the SP PRO and the Fronius SCERT inverter.

This document applies to Fronius Verto SCERT inverters which have been pre-configured and programmed by Selectronic and details the steps required to install a managed AC-coupled system. SCERT inverters can be identified by a sticker on the front of the product.

Each inverter must be installed in accordance with their specific installation instructions, with additional provision made for communications cabling linking all inverters together.

Note: This document should be read in conjunction with the SP PRO Instruction Manual and the

Fronius Verto Instruction Manual.

The diagram below shows a managed AC coupled system with five Fronius Vertos. Image Placeholder

This document only applies to Verto SCERT inverters that have been programmed by Selectronic. Verto 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.

Compatibility and Requirements

SP PRO System	Verto 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 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 inverters with hardware revision 23 and higher, or SP PRO Series II inverters with revision 20 and higher when fitted with a Comms Card 2017 upgrade kit are supported for Fronius Verto SCERT.

*On-Grid systems with the following models are not compatible with the Verto SCERT:

SPMC240-AU
SPMC241-AU
SPMC1201

Also:

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 Verto cannot be connected to the same SP PRO phase.
The SP PRO and Fronius Verto SCERT Managed AC coupling cannot be used with a Fronius Smart Meter.
The SP PRO & Comms Card must have minimum firmware versions. Refer: SP LINK and Firmware Requirements
The Fronius inverter must be Selectronic Certified (SCERT). Other Fronius inverters will not operate correctly.
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 Verto cannot be connected to the same SP PRO phase.
The SP PRO and Fronius Verto SCERT Managed AC coupling cannot be used with a Fronius Smart Meter.

Unit Applications

On-Grid:

The Verto is compatible with SP PROs configured as On-Grid AS/NZS 4777.2:2020, from 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 the 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 Verto is compatible with any SP PRO Series 2i model or SP PRO Series II with 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 the SP PRO model, the battery type and the total rating of all the connected Fronius Verto inverters.

System Requirements

To successfully install an SP PRO Series 2i Fronius SCERT managed system, there are particular system requirements that need to be met.

· SP LINK Site Configuration Wizard must be used to verify:

1. Combined maximum Fronius AC output does not exceed twice the SP PRO continuous power

2. Battery bank size to suit the SP PRO model and Fronius Output power

· The SP PRO must have a firmware version as per: SP LINK and Firmware Requirements

· The Fronius inverters must be Selectronic Certified (SCERT).

· Maximum of five Verto SCERTs per SP PRO Manager in a system. Worker units are not able to control SCERT inverters.

· Maximum of fifteen (five SCERTs per SP PRO Manager) Fronius SCERTs in a three phase system. Worker units are not able to control SCERT inverters.

SP LINK and Firmware Requirements

The latest www.selectronic.com.au/splink 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.
SP LINK 16.11 contains SP PRO firmware 16.11 and Comms Card firmware 5.31, which are the minimum required.
Older revisions of firmware must be updated.
Do not change any configuration settings until the firmware is updated.

To check firmware revision run SP LINK, connect to the SP PRO and go to Data View – Technical Data – “SP PRO Revision” and “Software Version”.

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.

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

Installation

The SP PRO and Fronius SCERT inverters must be installed as per their respective installation instructions. Particular instructions directly related to Managed AC Coupling are listed below.

You must number each Fronius SCERT from 1 up to 5 so that each inverter can be easily referenced within SP LINK.

In a multiphase system, label each Verto SCERT connected to L1, from L1-1 to L1-5. Do the same for each of the Verto SCERT connected to L2, from L2-1 to L2-5, and so on.

The numbers 1 to 5 are used for the communications link addressing.

Refer to: SP PRO Configuration

Fronius Verto AC Wiring

Install Fronius Verto 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.

It is important that the phase rotation of the Fronius Verto inverters match that of the SP PRO three phase system. L1 to L1, L2 to L2 and L3 to L3.

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Wiring guide for Fronius Verto SCERT in a grid connected three phase system with SP PRO 2i

Wiring guide for Fronius Verto SCERT in an Off-Grid three phase system with SP PRO 2i

Series 2i connection to Verto SCERT

Using a ‘cat5’ network cable connect one end to the RS485 Port 2 RJ45 connector on the SP PRO’s Comms Card. At the Verto SCERT connect the CAT5 cable to the RS485 adapter cable that is connected to the Verto RS485 Adapter cable.

Note: The RS485 adapter cable comes connected the Data Manager Connector within the Fronius SCERT

SP PRO RS485-2 Connection

Fronius SCERT Connections (inside unit) – RS485 Adapter Wires terminated into the Fronius Connector.

Wire Colour	Fronius Connector Label
Red	M1 - RS485
Black	M1 + RS485
White	GND

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.

SP PRO Configuration

The Site Configuration wizard must be used to configure the SP PRO settings. Using the wizard will ensure all SP PRO settings are compatible with the managed AC coupled system.

Only the settings required to enable Fronius Managed AC Coupling are shown.

The SP PRO must be configured before any of the Fronius SCERTs are energised.

Make sure in the SP LINK tab Configuration Settings > System, the follow settings are set.

Set Solar Inverter to Fronius and Verto

Number of Devices is set to the number of Fronius SCERTs installed on each phase. (On Advanced Multiphase systems, each phase has its own Number of Devices setting.)
In the example below, two Fronius SCERTs are connected to the SP PRO.

Note: Port 2 Communication settings will not be available once Fronius has been enabled. This is normal operation.

SP LINK - Configuration Settings – System tab

Fronius Configuration
The Fronius SCERT is fully programmed and ready for operation in a SP PRO managed AC coupled system.

Verification of Data Link

In SP LINK, check Data View > Now.

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.

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%.

Fronius SCERT “Backup Ready” Connection

The following steps are for when Fronius SCERT 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.

Access the Fronius web interface using Solar.start App.
Login as Technician with the password provided with each Fronius Verto.
Navigate to “Safety and Grid Regulations” -> “Country Setup”
Enter the code which may be obtained by contacting Fronius directly.
Set the Country / Region to Australia and the Grid Code appropriately.

Export Power Limit

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

Set the country code as instructed as above but DO NOT fit the wire link. Set the country code as instructed as above but DO NOT fit the wire link.

Access the Fronius web interface using Solar.start app.
Login as Technician with the password provided with each Fronius SCERT.
Navigate to “Safety and Grid Regulations” -> “Export Limitation”.
Set the export limitation as required.
Navigate to “Safety and Grid Regulations” -> “I/O Power Management”.
Disable Rule 1.
Save the settings.

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.

Knowledge Base