Ampt Ampt-CU User manual



Manual
AmptCommunicationsUnit
InstallationManual
57070008‐120141110

Copyright2014AMPT,LLC3
InformationandDisclaimer
Copyright 2014 AMPT, LLC. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced, retransmitted, or copied in any form without the
expressed and written permission of Ampt.
Ampt makes no representations, expressed or implied, that with respect to this documentation
or any of the equipment and/or software it may describe, including (with no limitation) any
implied warranties of utility, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. All such
warranties are expressly disclaimed. Ampt shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or
consequential damages under any circumstances. (The exclusion of implied warranties may
not apply in all cases under some statutes, and thus the above exclusion may not apply.)
The following specifications are subject to change without notice, even though every attempt
has been made to make this document complete, accurate and up-to-date. Readers are
cautioned, however, that Ampt reserves the right to make changes without notice and shall not
be responsible for any damages, including indirect, incidental or consequential damages,
caused by reliance on the material presented, including, but not limited to, omissions,
typographical errors, arithmetical errors or listing errors in the content material.
Ampt LLC
4850 Innovation Drive
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
Tel [phone]
www.ampt.com

4
ImportantSafetyInformation
Warnings
A warning identifies a hazard to equipment or personnel. It calls attention to a procedure or
practice, which, if not correctly performed, could result in damage to or destruction of part or
all of the Ampt equipment and/or other equipment connected to the Ampt equipment or
personal injury.
The following boxes are used to alert you to important safety information.
Warning:
Indicatesahazardoussituationwhich,ifnotavoided,couldresultindeathorseriousinjury.
Caution:
Indicatesahazardoussituationwhich,ifnotavoided,couldresultinminorormoderate
injury.
Notice:
Indicatesasituationthatcanresultinpropertydamageifnotavoided.
Note:
Thissymbolaccompaniesnotesthatcallattentiontosupplementaryinformationthatyou
shouldknowandusetoensureoptimaloperationoftheAmptsystem.


Copyright2014AMPT,LLC5
TableofContents

InformationandDisclaimer.............................................................................................................3
ImportantSafetyInformation..........................................................................................................4
Warnings..............................................................................................................................................................4
Chapter1:Introduction...........................................................................................................7
GeneralDescription.........................................................................................................................7
Specifications...................................................................................................................................8
ModbusRegisterMap......................................................................................................................9
DimensionalDrawing.....................................................................................................................10
PhysicalOverview..........................................................................................................................10
Labels.................................................................................................................................................................10
Internal...............................................................................................................................................................11
UnderstandingtheStatusLEDs......................................................................................................12
Chapter2:InstallingtheAmpt‐CU........................................................................................13
InstallingtheEthernetCableFeed‐through....................................................................................14
MountingtheEnclosure.................................................................................................................16
ConnectingPoweroverEthernet...................................................................................................17
ConfiguringtheAmpt‐CUNetworkSettings...................................................................................18
RestoringFactoryDefaults.............................................................................................................19
Appendix...............................................................................................................................21
Compliance....................................................................................................................................21
FCCCompliance..................................................................................................................................................21

Chapter 2: Installing the Ampt-CU
Copyright2014AMPT,LLC.7


Chapter1:
Introduction
GeneralDescription
The Ampt communications unit (Ampt-CU) provides
wireless two-way communication with every Ampt
converter
The Ampt-CU links to your SCADA or monitoring
system via Modbus to provide highly accurate and
synchronous data. This solution eliminates the need
for smart combiners which lowers costs.
With Ampt communication, system designers,
operators, owners, and financiers gain a level of
transparency and predictability unmatched by
conventional monitoring solutions.
This improved system planning and decision-making capability lowers PV project risk and
increases return on investment.
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8
Specifications
SystemLayout 
PVblocksize Upto3200 kWpDC
AmptconvertersperAmpt‐CUUpto2000
Exampleoflayout 125stringsx16modules/string =2000Amptconverters
Maximumradiocommunications
operatingrange200mradius
DataCommunications 
InterfacewithdatamonitoringsystemModbus/TCP
ConnectionwithdatamonitoringEthernet10/100Base
T
InterfacewithAmptconvertersTwo‐waywireless
Resolution 
MeasurementaccuracyAmperage:±0.25%
Reportingrate,typical5minutes,2000converters
Localdatastorage45 dayrollingbuffer
Electrical 
PowersupplyPoweroverEthernet(PoE)
PoweroverEthernet(PoE)Class0,802.3afModesAandB,802.3atType1(RJ‐45connector)
Mechanical 
EnclosureIP‐66
Dimensions13.82”x10.54”x5.35”
(35.10 cmx26.77cmx13.59cm)
Weight5.6lbs(2.5kg)
Ambienttemperature,operating‐40
°
Fto+185
°
F(‐40
°
Cto+85
°
C)
General 
ComplianceFCCPart15,classB
IEC60950‐1,61000‐6‐1,61000‐6‐3

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Chapter 2: Installing the Ampt-CU
Copyright2014AMPT,LLC.9
ModbusRegisterMap
Ampt StringViewrecords use the SunSpec protocol for device ID and variable record
length, enabling site-specific operation. The SunSpec Common Model precedes the map
below. Contact Ampt or one of our monitoring partners for more information.
Start
offset
SizeNameType R/W Description
11IDUint16 RAmptSunSpecVendorCode64050
21LUint16 RVariablenumberof16bitregisterstofollow:
12+N*16
FixedBlock(15
)

31DCA_SFInt16 RCurrentscalefactor
42Reserve
d
‐‐
61DBWh_SFInt16 REnergyscalefactor
71Reserve
d
‐‐
81NUint16 RNumberofstrings
96Reserve
d
‐‐
Registerblocksforstringdatafollow.Repeatblockforeachstring.Twostringsareshownasanexample.
151StringIDInt16 RThestringnumber.
162Reserve
d
‐ ‐
182StringdatatimestampUint32 RTheUTCtimestampofthemeasurements.
201OutDCA Int16 RStringoutputcurrentinmA
216Reserve
d
‐ ‐
272DCWhUint32 RDailyintegratedstringoutputenergy
292Reserve
d
‐ ‐
311StringIDInt16 RThestringnumber.
322Reserve
d
‐‐
342StringdatatimestampUint32 RTheUTCtimestampofthemeasurements.
361OutDCA Int16 RStringoutputcurrentinmA
376Reserve
d
‐‐
432DCWhUint32 RDailyintegratedstringoutputenergy
452Reserve
d
‐‐
Repeatblockforadditionalstrings

10
DimensionalDrawing
Figure1:Ampt‐CUdimensionaldrawing
PhysicalOverview
Labels
Figure2:Serialnumber,modelnumber,andMACaddresslabels
Serialandmodel
numberlabel
MACaddresslabel

Chapter 2: Installing the Ampt-CU
Copyright2014AMPT,LLC.11
Internal
Figure3:Interfacepanel
ComponentDescription
EthernetportRJ‐45connectorforPoweroverEthernet(PoE)andEthernetcommunication.
RS‐485portReservedforengineeringuse
TerminationswitchReservedforengineeringuse.
ResetbuttonPressingthisbuttonforcestheAmpt‐CUtoreboot.
RestorebuttonThisbuttonrestoresthenetworksettingsandpasswordbacktotheirfactorydefault
values.SeeRestoringFactoryDefaultsonpage19formoredetail.
PowerLEDThisgreenLEDisoncontinuously whentheinputvoltageis abovetheminimum
threshold.
ComLEDThisLEDdisplaysbootstatus.
FaultLEDThisredLEDcommunicatesfaultconditions.
CablelocksRoutetheinputpowerandcommunicationcables throughtheseguides.
Ethernetport
RS‐485portand
Termswitch
Resetbutton
Restorebutton
PowerLED
ComLED
FaultLED
Cablelocks

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UnderstandingtheStatusLEDs
The Ampt-CU has three status LEDs. When input power is first applied to the Ampt-CU, all
LEDs are on continuously for several seconds. Then the Com LED flashes amber while
software is booting. Once boot up is complete and the Ampt-CU is operating normally, both
the Power and Com LEDs are on solid green.
NameStateDescription
PowerContinuousGreenInput powersupplyvoltageexceedsthe minimumthreshold.
ComFlashingAmberSoftwareisbootingup.
ContinuousGreenBootprocessiscomplete.
FaultContinuousRedWhenthisLEDisonsolidred afterthebootupprocess,afaultcondition
hasbeendetected.Cycletheinputpower.IfthisLEDisstillonafterthe
ComLEDfinishesflashing(duringthebootprocess),thencontactAmpt
support.
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Chapter 2: Installing the Ampt-CU
Copyright2014AMPT,LLC.13

Chapter2:
InstallingtheAmpt‐CU
This chapter addresses the following topics:
Installing the Ethernet Cable Feed-through
Mounting the Enclosure
Connecting Power Over Ethernet
Configuring the Field Computer Network Settings
Restoring Factory Defaults

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InstallingtheEthernetCableFeed‐through
A liquid-tight wire grip is recommended for the Ethernet cable feed-through. The markings on
the bottom of the unit show where to make a hole for the wire grip.
Figure4:Bottomviewofthecommunicationunit
1. Make sure the communication unit is not powered up.
2. Use a drill or punch to create a hole for the wire grip within the marked area.
Notice:
Drillingoutsideofthedesignatedareamaydamageinternalelectronic
components.
Figure5:Drillholeforthewiregripwithinthemarkedarea
Installliquid‐tight
wiregripinthisarea

Chapter 2: Installing the Ampt-CU
Copyright2014AMPT,LLC.
15
3. Install your wire grip. An example is shown below.
Figure6:Exampleofaninstalledliquid‐tightwiregrip


16
MountingtheEnclosure
Connect the hardware as shown in the figure below, or using a similar method, to mount the
Ampt-CU enclosure.
Figure7:MountinghardwareforAmpt‐CU
Note:
The1‐5/8”washer(number5above)isrecommendedforstrutandunevenmounting
surfaces.
Note:
IfaverticalpoleisusedbehindtheUnistrut,itshouldbeplacednearthehorizontalcenter
oftheAmpt‐CU.
IDDescription
1 4 each ¼-20 x 1.25” 18-8 SS Hex Head Cap Screw (McMaster Carr 92240A544 or
equivalent)
2 4 each ¼ STD split lock washer 18-8 SS (Grainger 1NY97 or equivalent)
3 4 each ¼ STD flat washer 18-8 SS (Grainger 1NU48 or equivalent)
4 1 each Ampt-CU
5 4 each 1 hole washer, flat plate fitting (1-5/8” series) Unistrut P1062 EG or
equivalent (McMaster Carr 3133T11 or equivalent)
6 2 each Unistrut or Kindorf 1-5/8” x 13/16” x 16” galvanized slotted channel
7 4 each ¼-20 strut spring nut, galvanized (McMaster Carr 3259T17or equivalent)


Chapter 2: Installing the Ampt-CU
Copyright2014AMPT,LLC.17
ConnectingPoweroverEthernet
You will need to use a PoE injector that meets the requirements in the Specifications section
on page 8. The diagram below illustrates the basic installation of a PoE injector; however, be
sure to follow the installation instructions that comes with your PoE device.
Caution:
LivevoltagesmaybepresentonthePoEcables.
Figure8:GenericPoweroverEthernet(PoE)connectiondiagram–followtheinstructionsforyourdevice
1. Route the Ethernet cable through the feed-through and cable locks. An example is
shown below.
Figure9:Ethernetcableroutingandconnection
2. Connect the cable to the Ethernet port.
3. Twist the ends of the cable locks together to hold the cable in place.
Note:
Keepwiresoutoftheantennaareaasnotedonthepanel.

18
ConfiguringtheAmpt‐CUNetworkSettings
Note:
CompletingthetasksinthissectionshouldbecompletedbyaNetworkAdministrator.
Please note the following:
Default IP address of the field computer is 192.168.1.249
Web interface to configure the field computer is accessed via port 8080
Modbus data is accessed via port 502
To configure the Ampt-CU network settings:
1. Configure the TCP/IP settings of your laptop to:
a. IP Address - 192.168.1.248
b. Netmask - 255.255.255.0
2. Ensure the Ampt-CU is powered up. The Power LED should be on and solid green.
3. Connect your laptop to the field computer using the Ethernet ports of each device. If using
PoE, the PoE injector must be connected between the laptop and the Ampt-CU.
4. Open your web browser and enter the default IP address (http://192.168.1.249:8080/) in
the address bar.
5. Complete the fields on the login page
a. Login: admin
b. Password: password
6. Once logged in, use the menu on the left to:
a. Change your password
b. Configure network settings
c. Set time zone and network time servers
d. Manage the layout file
e. Setup communications
f. Reference the Modbus map
g. View string/inverter currents, voltages, power
h. Download string data in CSV format - new hardware will not have any data
available until it has been online at least a day with a live system.
i. Perform a system test
j. Enable Ampt support access
k. Reboot the system

Chapter 2: Installing the Ampt-CU
Copyright2014AMPT,LLC.19
Figure10:NetworkSettingsHomeScreen
7. Follow the onscreen directions for each task.
RestoringFactoryDefaults
The network settings and password can be restored to factory default values by pressing and
holding the Restore button during the boot process. If you are using this feature to restore the
password, be sure to record your network settings first. See Configuring the Ampt-CU
Network Settings on page 18 for more details.
To restore the network settings and password:
1. Press the Restart button
2. The LEDs will be on continuously for several seconds.
3. When the Com LED flashes, press and hold the Restore button until the Com and Fault
LEDs alternate flashing.
4. The network settings and password are restored and the unit automatically reboots.

20