Installation Note: IN0061 - Rev 05


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Introduction

The SP PRO Managed AC Coupling, provides a method of linking Selectronic Certified (SCERT)  Solar Inverters 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 SCERT inverters.

Each SP PRO Manager can control a maximum of five 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 done via a communications link between the SP PRO and the SCERT.

This document applies to SCERT GEN24 Fronius Primo inverters which have been pre-configured and programmed by Selectronic, as well as the steps needed to install a managed AC Coupled system. 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.

NoteThis document needs to be read in conjunction with the SP PRO Instruction Manual


Contents
1. Compatibility Table  
2. Overview
3. System Requirements
4. Installation
5. Fronius AC wiring Primo
6. SP PRO 2i Communications Link to Fronius SCERT 
7. Connection to GEN24 SCERT Series 2i 
8. Fronius SCERT Network Configuration
9. Fronius SCERT Setting Time Zone
10. Fronius SCERT System Commissioning
11. Verification of Fallback Mode
12. Fronius SCERT “Backup Ready” Connection
13. Export Power Limit


1. Compatibility Table  

 SP PRO System
 Primo GEN24 SCERT
 SP PRO Series I single phase
 No
 SP PRO Series II single phase
 No
 SP PRO Series II three 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*
* On-Grid: The GEN24 Primo is compatible with SP PRO Series 2i configured as On-grid AS/NZS 4777.2:2020, with the following models only - SPMC480-AU, SPMC481-AU, SPMC482-AU, SPLC1200 and SPLC1202.
Off-grid: The GEN24 Primo is compatible with any SP PRO Series 2i model configured as Off-grid.

  • Only make adjustments to the Primo GEN24 configuration as indicated in this document.
  • The Fronius SnapINverter Primo and GEN24 cannot be connected to the same SP PRO.
  • The SP PRO and Fronius GEN24 SCERT Managed AC coupling cannot be used with a Fronius Smart Meter.

Minimum battery capacity for Solar Hybrid & Off Grid Systems
Each application will have a minimum battery capacity and a maximum allowable PV. Please refer to the battery manufacturers data sheet as well as the guidance given in the SP LINK Site Configuration Wizard.


Note: 
  1. 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.
  2. 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.

The following table summarizes the steps taken to set up a Fronius SCERT in a Managed AC Coupled system. Once the system has been installed, use the table to check that each step has been completed.

Refer to the pages following the tables for detailed information on each of the installation steps.

1.  Install SP PROs as per manual
2.  Install and configure batteries
3.  Install Fronius GEN24 SCERTs as per Fronius manual
4.  SP PRO / Comm card Firmware Requirement - V15.23 / 5.01 or higher
5.  Fronius Primo GEN24 AC Wiring
6.  RS485 Communication connection between SP PRO and all Fronius SCERTs
7. Use Site configuration wizard to configure SP PRO
8.  Configure RS485 port on each Fronius SCERT.
9. Test system function


2. Overview – Single Phase Series 2i

The diagram below shows a managed AC coupled system with five Fronius GEN24 Primos.

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3. System Requirements

To successfully install a SP PRO Series 2i Fronius GEN24 SCERT managed system, there are particular system requirements that need to be met.

  • The maximum SCERT Solar Inverter capacity should be no greater than 2 x the SP PRO continuous rating. This may be reduced further depending on your battery size or Electricity company allowances for On Grid systems.
  • The SP PRO / Comm board must have firmware version 15.23 / 5.02 or higher.
  • The Fronius inverters must be Selectronic Certified (SCERT).
  • Fronius Primo "Snap On" and Gen24 cannot be controlled by the same System or Phase manager.
  • Maximum of five Fronius Primo Gen24 SCERTs per SP PRO Manager in a single phase system.  Worker units are not able to control SCERT inverters.
  • Maximum of fifteen (five SCERTs per SP PRO Manager) Fronius Gen24 SCERTs in a three phase system.  Worker units are not able to control SCERT inverters.

To configure the SP PRO - Fronius system, the Site Configuration Wizard in SP LINK’s Easy Start Guide must be used.

Only SP PRO 2i (Revision 22) and above or Revision 20 and above when fitted with Advanced Comms Cards, are supported for Fronius GEN24 Primo SCERT.

  1. On-grid: The GEN24 Primo is compatible with SP PRO Series 2i configured as On-grid AS/NZS 4777.2:2020, with the following models only - SPMC480-AU, SPMC481-AU, SPMC482-AU, SPLC1200 and SPLC1202. Off-grid: The GEN24 Primo is compatible with any SP PRO Series 2i model configured as Off-grid. 
  2. SP PRO / Comm card Software Version 15.23 / 5.02 or higher is required. 
  3.  Older revisions of firmware must be updated. 
  4. Carry out a Reset to Factory defaults on all SP PRO inverters after a firmware update.
  5. Configure the SP PRO inverters after the Reset to Factory defaults.


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                                                          Data View – Technical Data screen



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. 
Note: For latest SP LINK software with the SP PRO firmware included go to:  SP LINK Software 

Fronius Gen24 must be Selectronic Certified

The Fronius inverter must be Selectronic Certified. Other Fronius inverters will not operate correctly.

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

4. Installation
The SP PRO and Fronius GEN24 SCERTs must be installed as per their respective installation instructions.  Particular instructions directly related to Managed AC Coupling are listed below.








It is good practice to number each Fronius GEN24 SCERT from 1 up to 5 so that each inverter can be easily referenced within SP LINK.

In a multiphase system, label each Fronius GEN24 Primo SCERT connected to L1, from L1-1 to L1-5. Do the same for each of the Fronius Primos connected to L2, from L2-1 to L2-5, and so on.

This number 1 to 5 is used for the communications link addressing. See Configuration section.

5. Fronius AC wiring Primo
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 Grid connected installation





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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.


6. SP PRO 2i Communications Link to Fronius SCERT 

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


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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. Access the Fronius web interface – see Fronius instruction manual. Login as Technician with the password provided with each Fronius Gen24. Navigate to “Communication” then “Modbus”. Set each Modbus address to an incrementing value matching the number configured for the system up to a maximum of 5. Note: ignore the warning prompt in yellow. 


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Each device has a terminating resistor switch. This switch must be ON for the last device on the chain and OFF for all others. If just one device the switch must be ON.

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7. Connection to GEN24 SCERT Series 2i 

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.


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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.

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For chaining units the RJ45 splitter (supplied) is required as shown below:

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8. Fronius SCERT 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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9. Fronius SCERT 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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10. Fronius SCERT System Commissioning

  1. Check that all the communication cables have been connected correctly.
  2. In the Service Settings tab click the 'Reset Counters' button
    Wait 2 minutes and check that the error count remains at zero for all the connected Fronius SCERTs. 

An error count of 5 or less per minute is acceptable but, in this case, it is good practice to check the wiring and that the termination resistors 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.


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11. 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 10 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%.

12. 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. Access the Fronius web interface – see Fronius instruction manual. Login as Technician with the password provided with each Fronius Gen24. Navigate to “Safety and Grid Regulations” -> “Country Setup” and enter the code which may be obtained by contacting Fronius directly. Set the Country / Region to Australia and the Grid Code appropriately. 


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13. 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 described in section xxx but DO NOT fit the wire link. 

Access the Fronius web interface – see Fronius instruction manual. Login as Technician with the password provided with each Fronius Gen24. 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 and click “Save”. 

 

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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.