FRO­NIUS 63A-1 User manual

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 1/19
Quick Guide:
How to install a Fronius Smart Meter 63A-1 and
63A-3
*for 63A 1, 63A 3 whole current Fronius Smart Meters only. For the 50kA Fronius Smart Meter, the 240V/480V
Fronius Smart Meters UL or the Fronius Smart Meter TS refer to their respective guides.
Quick Guide
© Fronius International GmbH
Version 4.0/2020
Fronius reserves all rights, in particular rights of reproduction, distribution and translation.
No part of this work may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of Fronius. It must not be saved, edited,
reproduced or distributed using any electrical or electronic system.
You are hereby reminded that the information published in this document, despite exercising the greatest of care in its
preparation, is subject to change and that neither the author nor Fronius can accept any legal liability
Gender specific wording refers equally to female and male form.

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 2/19
1. GENERAL
Fronius Smart Meters are Energy Meters which can be used to measure
consumption data of a site or for export limitation of a PV system with the
Fronius SnapINverter or GEN24 inverters.
The meter measures the energy flow to the loads or to the grid and feeds
the information to the Fronius inverter via ModBus RTU/RS485. On the
SnapINverter, this communication interface is the Datamanager 2.0 which
is installed as standard in Fronius Galvo, Primo, Symo and Eco
SnapINverter. Light versions are an exception. Datamanager 2.0 can also
be retrofitted to all older Fronius inverters. In the GEN24 inverters, the necessary communication interface is
always built in as standard (there is no light version).
This document describes how to install and set up only the 63A-1 single phase or 63A-3 3-
phase Fronius Smart Meter range. Please use the below lin s if using a different model of
Fronius Smart Meter.
Further information about the entire range of Fronius Smart Meters can be found in our Fronius Smart Meter
Application Guide:
https://www.fronius.com/~/downloads/Solar%20Energy/Whitepaper/SE_WP_Fronius_Smart_Meter_Application
_Guide_EN_AU.pdf
For installation and setup instructions of the 240V1 UL or 480V3 UL Fronius Smart Meters refer to the following
document:
https://www.fronius.com/~/downloads/Solar%20Energy/Operating%20Instructions/42%2C0410%2C2289.pdf
For installation and setup instructions of the 50kA 3 Fronius Smart Meter refer to the following document:
https://www.fronius.com/~/downloads/Solar%20Energy/Technical%20Articles/SE_TEA_Quick_Guide_How_to_i
nstall_and_commission_a_Fronius_Smart_Meter_50kA 3_EN_AU.pdf
The document for setting export limitation with the Fronius Smart Meter can be found here:
https://www.fronius.com/~/downloads/Solar%20Energy/Technical%20Articles/SE_TEA_Quick_Guide_How_to_
set_up_Export_Limiting_using_the_Fronius_Smart_Meter_EN_AU.pdf
Product information / Operating instructions Fronius Smart Meter TS 65A 3
https://manuals.fronius.com/html/4204260349
Product information / Operating instructions Fronius Smart Meter TS 100A 1
https://manuals.fronius.com/html/4204260350
Product information / Operating instructions Fronius Smart Meter TS 5kA 3
https://manuals.fronius.com/html/4204260348

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 3/19
1.1 Location of the Fronius Smart Meter
With the Fronius Smart Meter there are 2 possible energy paths/ locations where it can be installed.
In almost all cases, the Fronius Smart Meter will be installed in the feed-in path. This is also the default setting
in the Datamanager’s METER section.
/ Feed-in point
In this position the Solar Supply Main Switch is on the load side of the Fronius Smart Meter
/ Consumption path
In this position the Solar Supply Main Switch is on the grid side of the Fronius Smart Meter
Fronius
Utility
meter
Fronius Smart Meter
Loads
Loads
Fronius
Utility
meter
Fronius
Smart Meter
Loads
Loads

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 4/19
2. NSTALL NG AND ACT VAT NG A FRON US SMART METER
2.1 Schematics and Wiring Requirements
/ Wiring between Fronius Smart meter and inverter should use a CAT5 or CAT6 cable.
mportant: To be compliant with the AS3000 standards, it is recommended to have the CAT5/CAT6 cable
in a heat shrink tubing (probably 10mm) when it enters the switchboard part or alternatively use a 240V
rated CAT5/CAT6 cable (e.g. Clipsal CBUS cable).
/ Connection is a data line for Modbus RTU / RS485 using screw terminals on the meter
/ Maximum distance: 300 m (980 feet)
/ Use a single core per terminal connection between Fronius Smart Meter and the inverter. For D+ and D use
the single cores from the same colour (e.g. D+ is orange/white, D is orange)
Meter connection on the Datamanager 2.0
The meter needs to be connected to the Datamanager’s terminal block using terminals D+, D and .

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 5/19
2.1.1 - Wiring detail for Single Phase Fronius Smart Meter 63A/1PH and Datamanager 2.0
2.1.2 - Wiring detail for 3-Phase Fronius Smart Meter 63A/3PH and Datamanager 2.0

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 6/19
2.1.3 Wiring detail for Single Phase Fronius Smart Meter 63A/1PH and GEN24 inverter
2.1.4 Wiring detail for 3-Phase Fronius Smart Meter 63A/3PH and GEN24 inverter
**
GEN24
GEN24
**

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 7/19
Modbus termination switch on the Datamanager 2.0 and the GEN24 inverter:
The internal bus termination 120 Ohm resistance (for Modbus RTU) needs to
be switched to ON. This switch is set to ON by default.
Please Note:
The termination resistance must be activated for the first and last device in an RS485 bus.
2.2 Activating the Fronius Smart Meter on the Snap Nverter
2.2.1 Activating the Fronius Smart Meter in the Snap Nverter Web nterface
The PV Inverter homepage can be accessed in two ways:
1. Via the Wi Fi Access Point:
Activate the Wi Fi Access Point on the Datamanager card (inverter screen under Setup) or
Datamanager Box 2.0
Connect your computer/table/smart phone to the Fronius_240.XXXXXX network
Open a web browser and go to http://192.168.250.181.
Alternatively you can use the Fronius SolarWeb App (Tablet/Smart Phone), open the Solar.web app
and select Settings. Then select “PV Inverter Homepage” or “Your System Monitoring” depending
on your device.
2. Via the LAN Port:
Connect your computer to the Datamanager via LAN cable
Switch the Datamanager IP Switch to Position ‘A’
Open a web browser and go to http://169.254.0.180
Once connected follow the below steps:
It is recommended to complete the Solar.web Wizard first and get the system online. Once
completed please go to Section 2.2.1 for the Fronius Smart Meter activation.
If the system is not being set up for online monitoring the Fronius Smart Meter can be
activated within the Technician Wizard as per Section 2.2.2.
120 Ω termination
switch

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 8/19
Step 1
Select ‘Settings’
Step 3
Set a service password.
Minimum 8 characters with
numbers and letters
111
Step 2
Select “PASSWORDS”
Step 4
Select the tick to save
the new password

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 9/19
Step 5
Select “METER” tab Step 6
Login with Username: service
and the password from Step 3
Step 7
Select Fronius Smart Meter
from the drop down menu
Step 8
Select the Settings button

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 10/19
Step 9
Leave this window open until
the State changes to OK or
Timeout
Step 10
If State is OK then set meter
location. Refer to Section 1.1
of this guide for explanation of
locations
Step 11
Select Ok to go back to the
Meters Overview page
Step 12
Select the tick to save the
Meter Settings
Older software versions do not
have the ist of Configured
Meters or Secondary Meter
If the State is Timeout then retry
the process. If it still times out
refer to troubleshooting steps at
the end of this guide

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 11/19
2.2.2 Activating the Fronius Smart Meter in the Technician Wizard
The Technician Wizard can be accessed in two ways:
1. Via the Wi Fi Access Point:
Activate the Wi Fi Access Point on the Datamanager card (inverter screen under Setup) or
Datamanager Box 2.0
Connect your computer/table/smart phone to the Fronius_240.XXXXXX network
Open a web browser and go to http://192.168.250.181.
Alternatively you can use the Fronius SolarWeb App (Tablet/Smart Phone), open the Solar.web app
and select Settings. Then select “PV Inverter Homepage” or “Your System Monitoring” depending
on your device.
2. Via the LAN Port:
Connect your computer to the Datamanager via LAN cable
Switch the Datamanager IP Switch to Position ‘A’
Open a web browser and go to http://169.254.0.180
Once connected follow the below steps:
Step 13
Select Current General View to
go to real time data
Step 14
Site Consumption and grid
export/import should now be shown

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 12/19
Step 1
Select Technician
Wizard to begin
Step 2
Set System Name, Yield
and Date/Time then
select Forward

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 13/19
Step 3
Set the DC array Watt Peak
(Wp) value for all inverters
then select Forward
Step 4
Set a service password to limit
access. Minimum 8 characters with
both numbers and letters. Then
select Forward

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 14/19
Step 5
Login with username: service and
the password created in Step 4
Step 6
Skip Forward over IO Mapping

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 15/19
Step 7
Select Fronius Smart Meter
from the dropdown box and
then select Settings
Older software versions do not
have the ist of Configured
Meters or Secondary Meter
Step 8
Leave this window open until
the State changes to OK or
Timeout

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 16/19
Step 9
If State is OK then set meter
location and select OK. Refer
to Section 1.1 of this guide for
explanation of locations
Step 10
Select Forward
Older software versions do not
have the ist of Configured
Meters or Secondary Meter
If the State is Timeout then retry
the process. If it still times out
refer to troubleshooting steps in
Section 4 of this guide

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 17/19
Step 11
Select Forward
If an export limit needs to be
set please refer to our separate
export limiting guide
The Technician Wizard is now
complete and the meter has been
setup. Online monitoring can be setup
via the Solar.Web Wizard

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 18/19
2.3 Activating the Fronius Smart Meter on the GEN24 inverter
The web interface of the GEN24 can be reached in two ways:
1. Via Wi Fi Access Point:
Open the access point by pressing once on the sensor of the GEN24.
Connect to the inverter's network
o Name: FRONIUS_Pilot Serial Number
o Password: 12345678
Enter IP address 192.168.250.181 in the browser.
2. Via LAN connection:
Connecting the computer to the inverter via LAN cable
o Use the LAN 1 port on the GEN24
Open browser and enter IP address 169.254.0.180
When you access the dashboard, you must unlock the submenus with the technician password if this has not
already been done at start up.
Open the "Configure Device" submenu and navigate to the "Components" menu. Here you can "add another
component".
Select whether the Smart Meter
is positioned at the feed in point
or the consumption path.

(c) Fronius International GmbH, 2020 19/19
3. FRON US SMART METER TROUBLESHOOT NG
4.1 – Timeout, meter not detected
If the Fronius Smart Meter is not being detected in the Technician wizard or PV Inverter Homepage try the
following steps in order. After each step try to activate the meter again
1) Restart the inverter, shutdown both AC and DC to the inverter to switch it off and then power it back up.
Reconnect to the wifi access point and attempt to activate the meter again.
2) Check that the 120 Ω resistor is installed correctly across the meter terminals as per the wiring
diagrams in Section 2.1.
3) Confirm that the cable used between smart meter terminals and inverter terminal block are properly
terminated.
4) Confirm that the RS485 wiring between meter terminals and inverter terminal block are correct as per
the wiring diagrams in Section 2.2.
5) If cable is short enough complete a continuity test on the cores used to ensure no breaks in the cable
6) Update the GEN24 inverter/Datamanager 2.0 software. After software update restart the GEN24
inverter/Datamanager 2.0 as per Step 1 of this section. Refer to our update guide for more information:
https://www.fronius.com/~/downloads/Solar%20Energy/Technical%20Articles/SE_TEA_Quick_guide_H
ow_to_update_Fronius_Datamanager_firmware_EN_AU.pdf
4.2 – Data is not accurate in Solar.web
1) Meter is set in the incorrect path compared to actual installation. Refer to Section 1.1 of this guide and
correct as per the above set up steps in 2.2.1 and 2.2.2.
2) Meter is installed in the wrong location in the switchboard. It must be installed after the Normal Supply
Main switch and before the rest of the site loads including the Solar Supply Main Switch for feed in
path. Refer to the single line diagrams in Section 1.1
3) If getting minimal load consumption values the meter may be in parallel with the Normal Supply Main
Switch. Ensure they are in series or the meter will be mostly bypassed.