Chauvin Arnoux Green TEST-FTV 100 User manual

 Testing instrument for photovoltaic installations
ENGLISH
User’s
manual

GREEN TEST-FTV 100 English
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FOREWORD
Thank you for purchasing this GREEN TEST FTV 100.
For best results from your instrument:
• read this operating manual carefully
• observe the safety precautions
Meanings of the symbols used on the instrument
Selective disposal for the recycling of electric
and electronic material required in the European
Union.
Under directive WEEE 2002/96/EC, this
equipment must not be treated as a household
waste.
CAUTION - DANGER! Refer to the operating
instructions. Failure to correctly observe or
perform instructions in this manual preceded by
this symbol may result in bodily injury or
damage to the device and to the installations.
Compliant with European Union directives.
Device entirely protected by double insulation or
reinforced insulation.
USB port
PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
The instructions that follow are mandatory for correct use of the instrument. Failure to comply with these
precautions may result in an electric shock, explosion, or fire.
♦ The user is invited to refer to these instructions whenever the symbol appears.
♦ Improper use of the instrument impairs its protection functions and may create a hazardous
situation.
♦ When removing and installing the battery, make sure that the test leads, sensors, and power
supply units are disconnected. The instrument must be disconnected and locked off.
♦ Responsibility for the safety of any installation built using this tool lies with the system
assembler.
♦ For your safety, use only the compatible accessories and cables supplied with the instrument,
in conformity with IEC standard 61010-031 (2002). When sensors or accessories having a
lower voltage rating and/or category than the device are used, the lower voltage rating and/or
category applies to the system so constituted.

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♦ Before each use, check that the cables, housings, and accessories are in perfect condition.
Any cable, sensor, or accessory of which the insulation is damaged (even partially) must be
repaired or scrapped.
♦ Comply with the environmental conditions.
♦ We recommend using the personal protection equipment appropriate to the environmental
conditions of use of the instrument.
♦ This tool can be used on class IV installations at voltages (AC or DC) not exceeding 600V
referred to earth (IEC 61010-1) or on category III installations, at voltages not exceeding
1000V. Never use the instrument on networks of which the voltage or category exceeds those
mentioned.
♦ Use the instrument only with the mains power supply unit or the battery pack supplied by the
manufacturer. These units include specific safety devices.
♦ Observe the limits of physical protection of the equipment and sensors. Keep your hands away
from unused terminals.
MEASUREMENT CATEGORIES
Definitions of the measurement categories according to EN-61010-1:
CAT I: Measurement category I corresponds to measurements taken on circuits not directly connected to
the network.
CAT II: Measurement category II corresponds to measurements taken on circuits directly connected to the
network.
Example: measurements on electrodomestic units, portable tools, and similar devices
CAT III: Measurement category III corresponds to measurements on building installations.
Example: measurements on distribution panels and wiring.
CAT IV: Measurement category IV corresponds to measurements taken at the source of low-voltage
installations.
Example: meters and measurements on overvoltage protection devices.
REMARKS CONCERNINGTHIS MANUAL
♦ The information in this manual is subject to change without notice. The manufacturer cannot
be held liable for any errors it may contain.
♦ Great care has been taken in the preparation of this manual, but should you, even so, have
remarks to make, encounter difficulties in using our product, or have questions about it, please
get in touch either with your dealer or with us.
♦ Make sure that you fully understand the conditions of use of the product, such as its hardware
and software characteristics and its constraints of use. We cannot be held liable for damage
caused by improper use of the device.
♦ Reproduction of this manual or of any part of it without our prior written permission is
forbidden.\
♦ The names of products mentioned in this manual may be the trademarks, registered or not, of
their respective owners.

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CONTENTS
FOREWORD................................................................................................................. 2
Meanings of the symbols used on the instrument......................................................................................... 2
PRECAUTIONS FOR USE..............................................................................................2
MEASUREMENT CATEGOR I ES ...................................................................................... 3
REMARKS CONCERNING THIS MANUAL ...................................................................... 3
CONTENTS .................................................................................................................. 4
1. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 6
2. CONTENT OF THE DELIVERY ................................................................................... 6
3. PRESENTATION ...................................................................................................... 7
4. SWITCHING ON/OFF .............................................................................................. 8
. PREPARING THE SCREEN ........................................................................................ 9
6. POWER SUPPLY .................................................................................................... 12
6.1 BATTERY LIFE BETWEEN CHARGES........................................................................ 12
6.2 CHARGING THE BATTERY ..................................................................................... 12
6.3 POWER S PPLY................................................................................................... 12
7. MENU TREE ........................................................................................................... 13
8. DESCRIPTION OF THE MENUS............................................................................... 16
8.1 SING THE ALPHAN MERIC KEYPAD ..................................................................... 16
8.2 SITE MEN ......................................................................................................... 16
8.2.1 NEW SITE DATA ......................................................................................... 16
8.2.2 A LOOK AT THE THEORY.............................................................................. 16
8.2.3 SELECT A SITE ........................................................................................... 17
8.2.4 MODIFY A SITE........................................................................................... 17
8.3 MEAS REMENT MEN .......................................................................................... 17
8.3.1 MEASUREMENT ACQUISITION ...................................................................... 17
8.3.2 MEASUREMENT ACQUIRED........................................................................... 18
8.4 ADJ STMENTS MEN ........................................................................................... 19
8.5 CONFIG RATION ................................................................................................ 20
8.6 REMOTE MEAS REMENT ...................................................................................... 20
8.7 LOCATIONS OF THE MEAS REMENT POINTS ON THE PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS............ 21
8.8 MEAS REMENT ACQ ISITION............................................................................... 22
8.9 LOCATIONS OF THE MEAS REMENT POINTS ON A SINGLE-PHASE INVERTER ............. 23
8.10 MEAS REMENT ACQ ISITION............................................................................. 24
8.11 CONNECTIONS OF THE MEAS REMENTS OF THE COMPLETE SITE WITH SINGLE-PHASE
O TP T................................................................................................................... 25
8.12 MEAS REMENT ACQ ISITION............................................................................. 26
8.13 LOCATIONS OF THE MEAS REMENT POINTS ON A THREE-PHASE INVERTER............. 27
8.14 MEAS REMENT ACQ ISITION............................................................................. 28
8.15 CONNECTIONS OF THE MEAS REMENTS OF THE COMPLETE SITE WITH THREE-PHASE
O TP T................................................................................................................... 29
8.16 MEAS REMENT ACQ ISITION............................................................................. 30

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8.17 MEAS REMENT OF THE COMPLETE SITE IN TWO SEPARATE STAGES....................... 30
8.18 COMM NICAT I ON INTERFACE............................................................................. 31
8.18.1 RS232 INTERFACE - TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS.................................... 31
8.18.2 USB INTERFACE - TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS ....................................... 31
8.19 "GREEN REPORT" SOFTWARE.............................................................................. 31
8.19.1 REEN REPORT SOFTWARE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE .............................. 32
8.19.2 FUNCTIONS OF THE REEN REPORT SOFTWARE ......................................... 32
8.19.2.1 CONFIGURATION..................................................................................................................... 32
8.19.2.2 CONNECTION OF THE INSTRUMENT TO THE PC:............................................................... 32
8.19.2.3 "REPORT".................................................................................................................................. 33
8.19.2.4 "REAL TIME".............................................................................................................................. 33
8.19.2.5 "DATA ACQUIRED"................................................................................................................... 33
8.19.2.6 "INSTALLATIONS" .................................................................................................................... 33
8.19.3 EXAMPLES OF RAPHS CREATED BY " REEN REPORT" SOFTWARE................ 34
9. REPORT ON STATUSES AND MEASUREMENTS ....................................................... 34
10. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INSTRUMENT ........................................ 36
11. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REMOTED MODULE................................................... 37
11.1 PROCED RE FOR CONNECTION AND CONFIG RATION OF THE REMOTED FTV 100
MOD LE .................................................................................................................. 38
12. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE "BLUETOOTH" COMMUNICATION KIT.... 39
13. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE "CABLE" KIT ......................................... 40
13.1 PROCED RE FOR CONNECTION AND CONFIG RATION OF THE "BL ETOOTH" OR
"RS232 CABLE" COMM NICATION KIT ........................................................................ 40
14. PRODUCING A CABLE USING THE RS232 CONNECTORS PROVIDED WITH THE
OPTIONAL REMOTED FTV 10 0 M ODULE .................................................................... 41
1 . TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PYRANOMETER...................................... 41
15.1 INTROD CTION ................................................................................................ 41
15.2 OPERATING PRINCIPLE ...................................................................................... 41
15.3 INSTALLATION AND ASSEMBLY OF THE PYRANOMETER.......................................... 42
15.4 TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS........................................................................... 43
16. WARRANTY......................................................................................................... 43
17. MAINTENANCE.................................................................................................... 44
17.1 CLEANING ........................................................................................................ 44
17.2 METROLOGICAL CHECKS.................................................................................... 44
17.3 REPAIRS .......................................................................................................... 44
17.4 REPAIR O TSIDE WA R R A N TY......................................... E RREUR ! S IGNET NON DEFINI .
18. TO ORDER........................................................................................................... 4

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1. INTRODUCTION
The GREEN TEST FTV 100 is a measuring instrument designed and built to meet the needs of technicians
during the installation, testing, certification, and maintenance of photovoltaic systems.
Photovoltaic systems comprise two parts:
♦ A photovoltaic generator, comprising one or more series of photovoltaic panels that generate
a direct current.
♦ The inverter that converts the direct current generated by the panels into an alternating
current that is supplied to the network for use.
The GREEN TEST FTV 100 has three inputs for measurements of the voltage (V
DC
) and current (I
DC
)
delivered by the photovoltaic generator, making it possible to measure up to three series of solar panels at a
time. Depending on the needs of the installation, you may use one input, two, or all three.
The other side of the instrument has three inputs for measurements of AC voltages (V
AC
) and three for
measurements of alternating currents (I
AC
), making possible measurements on one, two, or three phases.
Make sure that the voltage and current connections are in phase, to avoid the acquisition of errored
measurements.
The measurements available on the GREEN TEST FTV 100:
♦ measurement of solar radiation by pyranometer (up to 2000W/m²);
♦ measurement of outdoor temperature using a Pt100 probe (up to 80°C);
♦ measurement of the temperature of the solar panels using a Pt100 probe (up to 120°C);
♦ calculations of the theoretical power available;
♦ measurement of the voltage (1000V
DC
), of the current (PAC10-FTV current clamps 200A
DC
,
PAC20-FTV current clamps 1400 A
DC
) and of the power delivered by the solar panels;
♦ measurement of the voltage (600V
AC
), of the current (MN-FTV current clamps 200A
A
C
, C107-
FTV current clamps1000A
AC,
D43-FTV current clamps 3000A
AC
) and of the output power of the
inverter;
♦ calculation of the efficiency of the solar panels with display of the values and highlighting of the
test result;
♦ calculation of the DC/AC energy conversion (inverter) efficiency with display of the values and
highlighting of the test result;
♦ Memory used to store customer data and system measurements;
2. CONTENT OFTHE DELIVERY
Basic equipment Optional equipment
Description Qty Description
Pyranometer for solar radiation + connecting
cable 1 D43-FTV ammeter clamps for measurement of the alternating current (3000A
AC
)
Pt100 probe for the ambient temperature 1 C107-FTV ammeter clamps for measurement
of the alternating current (1000A
AC
)
Pt100 probe for the temperature of the panels 1 PAC10-FTV ammeter clamps for
measurement of the direct current (200A
DC
)

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MN-FTV ammeter clamps for measurement
of the alternating current (200A
AC
) 3 PAC20-FTV ammeter clamps for measurement of the direct current (1400A
DC
)
PAC10-FTV ammeter clamps for
measurement of the direct current (200A
DC
) 1 FTV 100 remoted module + 2 male/male RS232 connectors
Set of 3m leads (red/black) 4 Bluetooth communication kit
(transmitter/receiver)
Pairs of test probes (red/black) 4 15m serial cable with male/male RS232
connector
4.5Ah Li-Ion battery 1 RS232/USB adapter
Power supply unit 1 Alligator clips
USB cable 1 No. 22 carrying bag
Transport accessories 1
Certificate of validation of the instrument 1
CD-ROM containing:
Operating manual of the Green Test FTV 100
Green Report V2.5 + instructions
UpLoader 2.1 + instructions
USB serial driver + instructions
1
3. PRESENTATION
16
17
19
22
20
18
13
14
1
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
11
12
4
6
21

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1. input 1: ammeter clamp A
AC
2. input 2: ammeter clamp A
AC
3. input 3: ammeter clamp A
AC
4. input 2: ammeter clamp A
DC
5. input 2: ammeter clamp A
DC
6. input 3: ammeter clamp A
DC
7. input 1: voltage V
AC
8. input 2: voltage V
AC
9. input 3: voltage V
AC
10. input 1: voltage V
DC
11. input 2: voltage V
DC
12. input 3: voltage V
DC
13. ambient temperature probe input
14. pyranometer input
15. solar panel temperature probe input
16. USB serial port (to PC)
17. RS232 serial port –to remoted unit)
18. multi-function alphanumeric keypad having the following keys:
▲ "up" navigation key
ENTER selection validation key
▼ "down" navigation key
On/Off button
ESC menu exit key
DEL entry deletion key
19. input of external power supply (15V DC, 2A maximum consumed)
20. PWR ON/CHARGE FULL (only when an external power supply is connected); lights during
recharging of the internal batteries or when they have reached full charge.
21. BAT Ch (only when an external power supply is connected); lights during the charging of the
batteries.
4. SWITCHING ON/OFF
Pressing the button for 1 second switches the instrument on.
Pressing the button for 3 seconds when the instrument is on switches it off.
REMARK: Pressing for more than one second when switching on may resulting in faulty lighting of the
screen.
If this happens, hold the button down for more than 3 seconds, then switch the instrument back on.
The instrument can operate on battery power alone (without the external supply) if it is adequately charged,
or when connected to the power supply unit.

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5. PREPARINGTHE SCREEN
The GREEN TEST FTV 100 has a 5.7" LCD screen that displays all measurements and the results of the
efficiency calculations in real time.
SYSTEM 1POWER [kW]:]:7.50 MIN RAD [W/m2]:600.00
PANEL EFFICIENCY
--.-%
INVERTER EFFICIENCY
--.-%
ENVIRONMENT MEASUREMENT
Radiation W/m
2
: 0.00
environm temp. °C: ---.--
panel temp. °C: ---.--
temp. coeff.: -.--
THEORATICAL
AVAIL POWER [kW]: 0.00
DC MEASUREMENT ERROR
V1: - ∗
∗∗
∗- I1: - 37.9A
V2: - ∗
∗∗
∗- I2: - 38.1A
V3: - ∗
∗∗
∗- I3: - 38.9A
DC POWER [kW]: 0.00
AC MEASURE ERROR
V1: - ∗
∗∗
∗- I1: 0.00A
V2: - ∗
∗∗
∗- I2: 0.00A
V3: - ∗
∗∗
∗- I3: 0.00A
AC POWER [kW]: 0.00
FUNCTION MENU
 INSTALLATION
MEASURE
ADJUSTMENT
CONFIGURATION
REMOTE MEASURE OFF
WARNING
1. IMP: indicates the number of the photovoltaic installation selected
2. POWER [kW]: indicates the nominal power of the photovoltaic installation (value entered by the
user).
3. MIN RAD [W/m²]: indicates the minimum insolation required for the performance calculations
(see ADJUSTMENTS MENU). The default value is 600 W/m².
4. ENVIRONMENT MEASURES:
Radiation W/m²: indicates the insolation measured by pyranometer (located on the
panels and having the same inclination) (see also the directions
for use of the pyranometer).
temp. environm °C: indicates the value of environment temperature measured by a
Pt100 probe.
temp. panels °C: indicates the temperature of the solar panels measured by a
Pt100 probe.
temp. coeff.: indicates the panel performance correction parameter.
This value changes when the temperature is above the data
entered (NOCT).
It is a constant 0.85 when the temperature is between 0°C and
the NOCT (normal operating cell temperature).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
14
13
15

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When it exceeds the NOCT, the coefficient falls below 0.85 and
the panel loses efficiency (see page 34, §15.2).
The variation of the temperature coefficient also depends on the
values entered for Gamma and for NOCT.
REMARK: For all of the atmospheric measurements above, when the screen displays “---,--“ with the text
LOST (in red) at bottom right, communication has been broken off between the GREEN TEST instrument
and the remoted module. This interruption may be because the batteries of the remoted module are
discharged or because the signal has been lost (no Bluetooth link).
5. THEORETICAL AVAILABLE POWER [kW]: theoretical power for an insolation of 1000 W/m²
(value entered by the user, see SITE MENU – NEW SITE DATA).
6. DC MEASUREMENTS:
Display blank
V1: DC voltage or “- * -“ I1: direct current or -37.9A (-279.3A in 1.4kA version)
V2: DC voltage or “- * -“ I2: direct current or -38.1A (-279.8A in 1.4kA version)
V3: DC voltage or “- * -“ I3: direct current or -38.9A (-276.2A in 1.4kA version)
- ∗
∗∗
∗-: alert for each individual input (V1, V2, or V3):
 No connection to the PV system
 Voltage < 10V
DC
 DC polarity reversed
 AC voltage on DC inputs (connection error)
The “- * -” symbol also flashes WARNING is displayed at bottom right of the screen
7. DC POWER [kW]: indicates the measured direct current power from the solar generator.
8. ALTERNATING CURRENT MEASUREMENTS:
Display blank
V1: AC voltage or “- * -“ I1: alternating current (2.0A for the 3kA version)
V2: AC voltage or “- * -“ I2: alternating current (1.0A for the 3kA version)
V3: AC voltage or “- * -“ I3: alternating current (1.1A for the 3kA version)
- ∗
∗∗
∗-: alert for each individual input (V1, V2, or V3):
 No connection to the PV system
 Voltage < 25V
AC
The “- * -” symbol also flashes WARNING is displayed at bottom right of the screen
REMARK: when connecting to the PV system, check that the phases correspond (V1-I1, V2-I2, etc.)
9. AC POWER [kW]: indicates the measured AC output power of the inverter.
10. EFFICIENCY OF PANELS: indicates the efficiency of the photovoltaic generator as a
percentage (%), along with all of the test results.
REMARK: if Italian is the language selected for this device, under the provisions of standards applicable in
Italy (DM19/02/2007, IEC guide 82-25), the results of the "Good/Bad" tests appear alongside the %
efficiencies.