ABB VSN700 User manual

ABB solar monitoring
Product manual
VSN700 Data Logger

VSN700 Data Logger Product Manual
Operators are required to read this manual and scrupulously follow the indications reported
in it, since ABB cannot be held responsible for damages caused to people and/or things, or
the equipment, if the warranty conditions are not observed.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This manual contains important safety instructions that must be followed during
installation and maintenance of the equipment.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
This manual must be considered as an integral part of the equipment, and must
be available at all times to everyone who interacts with the equipment.
Symbols and signs
In the manual, the danger or hazard zones are indicated with signs, labels,
symbols, or icons.
Generic hazard -
Important safety information. This points out operations or
situations in which staff mustbe very careful.
Hazardous voltage - This points out operations or situations in which staff must be
very carefuldue to hazardous voltage.
This points out that it is mandatory to carry out the described operations using the
clothing and/or personal protective equipment providedby the employer.
Positive pole and negative pole of the input voltage (DC)
This points out that the examined area must not be entered or that the described
operation must not be carried out.

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Not included in the supply
ABB accepts no liability for failure to comply with the instructions for correct installation and will not
be held responsible for systems upstream or downstream the equipment it has supplied. It is
absolutely forbidden to modify the equipment. Any modification, manipulation, or alteration not
expressly agreed with the manufacturer, concerning either hardware or software, shall result in the
immediate cancellation of the warranty.
The Customer is fully liable for any modifications made to the system.
Given the countless array of system configurations and installation environments possible,
it is essential to check the following: sufficient space suitable for housing the equipment;
airborne noise produceddepending on the environment; potential flammability hazards.
ABB will NOT be held liable for defects or malfunctions arising from: improper use of the
equipment; deterioration resulting from transportation or particular environmental
conditions; performing maintenance incorrectly or not at all; tampering or unsafe repairs;
use or installation byunqualified persons.
ABB will NOT be held responsible for the disposal of: displays, cables, batteries,
accumulators etc. The Customer shall therefore arrange for the disposal of substances
potentially harmful to the environment in accordance with the legislation in force in the
country of installation.
Field of use, general conditions
ABB shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever that may result from incorrect or careless
operations.
You may not use the equipment for a use that does not conform to that provided
for in the field of use. The equipment MUST NOT be used by inexperienced
staff, or even experienced staff if carrying out operations on the equipment that
fail to comply with the indications in this manual and enclosed documentation.
Intended or allowed use
This device is monitoring equipment designed for data collection and low-voltage connection to
inverters, weather stations, string combiners, and other photovoltaicequipment.

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Contents
System overview......................................................................................................................5
VSN700 Data Logger models...............................................................................................................6
Installation................................................................................................................................7
Preparation............................................................................................................................................7
VSN700 installation...............................................................................................................................8
Inverter address configuration ..........................................................................................................11
Commissioning......................................................................................................................12
Connect to the Internet.......................................................................................................................12
Configure the data logger...................................................................................................................13
Configure for devices.........................................................................................................................14
Set a static IP address.............................................................................................................14
Verify Internet connectivity to Aurora Vision servers......................................................................14
Asset registration................................................................................................................................15
End-to-end data check........................................................................................................................15
Plant Viewer access for end users....................................................................................................15
Adding an ABB weather station............................................................................................18
Configuration for a weather station device.......................................................................................19
Interfacing VSN700-05 with SCADA systems.......................................................................21
Power-One SunSpec Adapter............................................................................................................21
Modbus TCP server ............................................................................................................................21
Data logger configuration for SCADA or other monitoring systems..............................................22
Set a Static IP Address for the data logger..............................................................................22
Configure the serial interfaces .................................................................................................22
Communication with devices by SCADA ormonitoring system................................................23
Adding 3rd party devices...................................................................................................................24
Modbus TCP client..............................................................................................................................25
Troubleshooting.....................................................................................................................26
Troubleshooting guide.......................................................................................................................26
Troubleshooting/Resetting a data logger.................................................................................27
How to contact ABB technical support.............................................................................................28
Data logger specifications.....................................................................................................29

VSN700 Data Logger Product Manual
System overview
The VSN700 series data loggers are a lightweight solution for remote data acquisition, which
enables PV system owners to benefit from advanced energy reports. The data logger collects and
analyzes energy generation data from all connected ABB (and legacy Power-One) solar inverters
and other supported devices. System performance and energy information are logged into a
database on the Aurora Vision® Plant Management Platform where it can be retrieved and used
for analysis via any standard web-browser on an Internet connected device.
The installer logs on to the Aurora Vision website to register the VSN700 series data logger and
ensures that the logger is correctly passing informationto the servers. The installer provides a URL
to the end user for access to Aurora Vision Plant Viewer. The installer can also monitor all of their
sites through a web-browser using Aurora Vision Plant Portfolio Manager.
The VSN700 in conjunction with the Aurora Vision solution bringsthe following benefits:
•Safeguard Your Investment and Maximize Your Return
•Improved Solar Energy System Efficiency
•Lower Life Cycle Costs
•Real-time and HistoricData Presented Using Web-based Devices
•Alarm Functions and Device Communication Failure
•Remote Access to allData Using Internet Technology

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Commercial and Utility Application with VSN700-05
The information in this document applies to all VSN700 Data Logger models. This guide provides
instructions for installing the data logger hardware
to work directly with ABB (or legacy Power-One)
solar inverters and for setting up the Aurora Vision management system for remote data access.
The VSN700 consists of a data logger/gateway and a universal AC/DC power supply adaptor and
optionally comes with a DIN rail mounting kit. The data logger connects to a Local Area Network
(LAN) with an Ethernet RJ45 connection. Typically it connects to a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or
Cable modem through a router to get access to the Internet. In summary, any kind of Internet
connection will work.
VSN700 Data Logger models
The data logger comes in three models. The feature differences are provided in the table below.
Model
Supported Devices and Features
Residential
(VSN700-01-XX)
Monitor up to 5 ABB (or legacy Power-One) single-phase and/or small three-
phase (Trio 5.8/7.5/8.5) string inverters.
Commercial
(VSN700-03-XX)
Monitor up to 10 ABB (or legacy Power-One) string inverters and one ABB
weather station. String inverters can be single-phase or three-phase.
Max
(VSN700-05-XX)
Monitor any ABB (or legacy Power-One) solarinverters. Monitor other supported
ABB and 3rd party devices; including, meters, combiners, and weather stations.
Includes a Modbus TCP server and converts proprietary Power-One inverter
data maps into SunSpec compliant maps for easier SCADAsystem interface.

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Installation
Qualified personnel with appropriate training and experience must perform installation of the
VSN700. Follow standard safety precautions during all procedures. Appropriate personal protection
equipment (PPE), such as safety gloves and safety glasses is recommended.
During normal operation, dangerous voltages flow through many parts of the
system, including: terminals, all I/O Modules (Inputs and Outputs) and their
circuits. All Primary and Secondary circuits can, at times, produce lethal voltages
and currents. Avoid contact with any current-carrying surfaces. Installation may
also require close proximity to high-voltage high-current wires, so proper caution
should be exercised when installing these devices.
Make sure all power is switched off before performing installation. These servicing
instructions are for use by qualified personnel only. To reduce the risk of electric
shock, do not perform any servicing other than that specified in the operating
instructions unless you are qualified to do so.
Preparation
Make sure youhave the following tools and materials prior to starting installation.
Tools
•Standard Electrician’s Toolkit
•PersonalProtective Equipment (Gloves, Goggles, Clothing)
Materials and Test Equipment
•Twisted-Pair RS-485 Wire (Belden#3106A or equivalent).
DO NOT USE CAT5/6 CABLE FOR THE RS-485 DATA WIRE.
•Ethernet Cable to make Network Connection
•Laptop Computer with Internet Browser
•Second Ethernet Cable for Logger configuration
•Mounting Screws and/or Brackets
It is also useful to know if you need to perform Asset Registration or final End-to-End Data Checks
after physical installation is complete. If so, you will need a User ID/password to log in to Aurora
Vision, and additionally you will need Administrator privileges to access the Administration tool in
Aurora Vision. See the Commissioning section for details.

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VSN700 installation
1. Check packaging for all components:
•Data Logger
•Power Supply Adapter (not included
with VSN700-05-00 model)
•DIN rail mounting kit for 35mm DIN
rails (VSN700-05-00 model only)
2. Determine the indoor location of the VSN700. For reliable operation, it is required that the
data logger be located within 100m (330 ft.) of an Ethernet connection and within 1200m
(4000 ft.) ofthe inverter(s).
3. Mount the data logger. The logger comes with flanges with pre-drilled holes for easy
mounting. A DIN rail mounting kit comes with the VSN700-05-00 model and can be
optionally ordered with other models. All data logger versions require a weather protected
site. The included power supply requires an ambient temperature between 0oC and 40oC
but the loggercan operate between -40oC and 85oC.
4. Connect shielded twisted-pair wire to the RS-485 terminals on the inverter(s). If there are
multiple inverters, wire the inverters in a daisy chain configuration. Refer to your inverter
manual for information on terminal locations and daisy chaining inverters. Use RS-485
data wire with one twisted pair, one ground conductor, and a shield with drain wire
(Belden#3106A or equivalent). DO NOT USE CAT5/6 CABLE FOR THE RS-485 DATA
WIRE.
5. For systems with multiple inverters, the RS-485 network must be terminated at the final
inverter by a switch near the RS-485 terminal block. The farthest inverter in the daisy
chain must be terminated by setting the inverter termination switch to ON. For all other
inverters in the daisy chain, turn OFF the termination switch. Below are pictures of RS-485
terminals in various inverters, as well as locations of the termination switch.1If you need
more information, consult your inverter’s manual for locating the RS-485 terminals and the
termination resistor switch.
1In some environments you may experience poor RS-485 signal quality due to noise. If signal quality is a
problem, double-check that the last inverter in the chain is terminated and other inverters are not terminated. If
problems persist, it may prove helpful to attach a 120 Ohm 0.5 Watt resistor across screw terminals 1 and 2 on
the data logger.

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6. Connect the other end of the shielded twisted-pair wire to Secondary RS-485 terminals on
the data logger. Use the table below and the figure on page the next page to make the
proper connections. See the section on Adding anABB Weather Station for information on
connectionsfor an attachedweather station.
RS-485
Connection
Data Logger RS-485
Screw Terminal
Connector
Example Inverter RS-485
Pin Label
RS-485 Negative (-)
1
-TR (Port 5)
RS-485 Positive (+)
2
+TR (Port 4)
RS-485 Negative (-)
3
-----
RS-485 Positive (+)
4
----
Ground
5
RTN (Port 3)
VDC Power Only
6
----
PVI-xxxx Indoor Series
PVI-x.x Outdoor Series
PVI-x.x Outdoor Series
(U.S.)
Termination Switch
Eth0 -- For Internet Connection
RS-485
Screw Terminal
Eth1 -- For Device Configuration

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7. Most VSN700 models come packaged with an AC/DC power adapter. The DC output
wires are pre-stripped and tinned for connecting to the screw terminal of the data logger.
Attach the conductor with the white label, which is positive 12 volts DC, to Port 6 of the
data logger’s screw terminal. Attach the other solid black DC ground conductor to Port5 of
the data logger’s screw terminal. See the figure below.
VSN700-05-00 models come with a DIN Rail kit for mounting directly on a DIN rail within
an inverter. After DIN Rail mounting, connect the data logger directly to a 9V-24V (±10%)
DC voltage source capable of supplying greater than 7.2VA. The logger will typically only
consume about 3VA during normal operation.
8. For models with an AC/DC adapter, connect the adapter to a standard power outlet. The
power supply accepts a Universal AC input for use worldwide and will come with a plug
adapter that is specific for your region. An appropriate travel adapter can be used if
connecting toa different socket type.
9. Check the data logger’s power. There is a pair of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the side
of the logger, opposite the RS-485/DC power terminal block. The LEDs flash during
system boot and then LED2 turns solid green when power is supplied and the system is
ready.
To Network via
Switch or Router
Screw Terminal Block
on Data Logger
Example Inverter
Terminal Block
Positive (+)
Negative (-)
100-240VAC/12VDC
Converter/Adapter
Data Logger
+12VDC Power
Use Twisted Pair Wire
Adapter
+12VDC Power
DC Ground