Kaco blue planet PVI 1501i User manual

We reserve the right to technical alterations.
operator’s manual
full of energy

Grid-Tied String Inverter
Blue Planet PVI
KACO GERÄTETECHNIK GmbH
2
operator’s manual (AU)
Important Safety Information
Installation and maintenance of these inverters must be performed by skilled
personnel only. Lethal voltages are present inside the device - therefore, the
device must be opened by skilled and qualified electricians only.
Hazardous live voltages may be present even if the device has been
disconnected. This manual describes how to operate and handle the device
properly. Therefore, please read this manual carefully before putting it into
operation.
Warning symbols used in this manual:
To ensure optimal use of your Blue Planet PVI inverter, please take note of the explanations of the following
symbols used in this manual:
This symbol indicates a feature or circumstance that is important for optimal and convenient use.
Non-adherence to the associated instructions may adversely affect the proper functioning of the
system.
This symbol indicates a fact or feature that is very important for the safety of the user and non-
adherence to which may lead to damage of components or malfunctions or the risk of injuries.
Example: “Disconnect from grid before opening the device.“
This symbol indicates additional information.
Technical alterations reserved –Status: December 2004

Grid-Tied String Inverter
Blue Planet PVI
KACO GERÄTETECHNIK GmbH
3
operator’s manual (AU)
Table of Contents:
1. Short Description of Blue Planet PVI 1501i...............................................................................4
2. Inverter Operation........................................................................................................................5
2.1 Starting-up the inverter ...........................................................................................................5
2.2 Switching-off the inverter........................................................................................................6
2.3 Display Operation and Settings..............................................................................................7
2.4 Setting the Date and Hour:....................................................................................................12
2.5 Communication interface setup ...........................................................................................13
2.6 Operation of the RS232 Interface .........................................................................................14
2.7 Visualization with KACOViso................................................................................................16
3. Technical Data PVI 1501i...........................................................................................................18
4. Troubleshooting and Fault Diagnostics..................................................................................20
4.1 Troubleshooting.....................................................................................................................20
4.2 Transport damage..................................................................................................................22

Grid-Tied String Inverter
Blue Planet PVI
KACO GERÄTETECHNIK GmbH
4
operator’s manual (AU)
1. Short Description of Blue Planet PVI 1501i
With Blue Planet PVI 1501i the successful family of KACO photovoltaic line input inverters is now also
available with a performance range up to 2.0 kWp.
Technical features:
Continuous AC output 1.5 kW
AC peak power 1.8 kW
Working without transformer (electrically isolated)
Soundless
Degree of efficiency > 95%
Lightweight: only 10 kg
Small dimensions
Extremely easy to install by means of a mounting panel
Input voltage range 125 to 400 VDC
MPP range: 125-400VDC
RS232 interface as a standard
VDEW conformance
Optional remote Internet monitoring
LCD display showing the following operational data (permanent access):
Solar generator voltage
Date and hour
Solar generator current
Daily yield
Grid voltage
Annual yield
Grid-feeding current
Total yield
Grid-feeding power
Daily operating time
Daily peak output
Annual operating time
Temperature inside device
Total operating time
Operating status
Our name obliges. For more than 60 years, KACO Gerätetechnik has been developing and manufacturing a
variety of different current inverter types and techniques at its location in Germany. High product quality and
longevity are our hallmarks.

Grid-Tied String Inverter
Blue Planet PVI
KACO GERÄTETECHNIK GmbH
5
operator’s manual (AU)
2. Inverter Operation
2.1 Starting-up the inverter
IMPORTANT! The inverter can only be put into operation under daylight conditions (i.e. at a solar
generator voltage of > 100 V).
If no daylight or no solar generator voltage is present, the inverter can be activated by pressing
the gray key (see Page 21, Section 6.3 Operating the Display and Settings), but normal operation
will not be possible in this condition. (Only the values can be read off the display).
1. Switch on the grid voltage (via AC disconnect).
2. Switch-on the solar generator via the DC disconnect.
Response: the green LED “PV generator“ is illuminated (if the generator voltage is greater than 100V).
The display shows the actual generator voltage and the start message: “Start at 130V, measurement:
xxxV."
If the measured voltage is greater than 130V the device will start grid feeding after approx. 4 minutes.
This startup period of 4 minutes is necessary to ensure that the generator voltage is permanently above
the grid feeding limit of 130V.
A quick-start routine is provided for test purposes –this routine circumvents the start-up period. This
quick-start is menu-controlled and obtained from the set-up mode
(see Section 6.3, Display Operation and Settings).
3. During the normal start-up procedure the grid power relay is switched on after approx. 4 minutes (audible
acoustic “click”), and grid feeding is started. This is also signaled by the green “Grid Feeding“ LED. The
display now shows the delivered power. The “Display“ key can be used to indicate the various
measurement values
(see Section 6.3, Display Operation and Settings).
4. It may be necessary to reset the date and hour (please refer to Section 2.4, Setting the Date and Hour:).
5. The inverter is now fully in operation.

Grid-Tied String Inverter
Blue Planet PVI
KACO GERÄTETECHNIK GmbH
6
operator’s manual (AU)
2.2 Switching-off the inverter
To switch off the inverter follow the steps below:
1.) Switch off the DC-disconnect.
2.) Switch off the AC-disconnect
Attention –Lethal Hazard! Hazardous Live Voltage can be present in the inverter even if the
electrical connections have been switched off.
Please wait for 10 minutes before accessing the inverter.
If you have to carry out any work on the solar generator you must additionally disconnect all
connections of the DC main switch . It is not sufficient to switch off the grid voltage in this case!

Grid-Tied String Inverter
Blue Planet PVI
KACO GERÄTETECHNIK GmbH
7
operator’s manual (AU)
2.3 Display Operation and Settings
General Information:
In the normal operating mode you will only need the “Display” key 1 to toggle between the individual
measuring values and data. The “Set” key 2 is required for setting the date and hour and to select the
quick-start routine and clear the internal power meter of the inverter.
Display Screen and Operation:
After starting-up the inverter (see Page 17 in Section 6.1, Starting-Up the Inverter), various measuring values
and data are shown on the display. Use the “Display“ key to toggle between the different values and data.
Keep the “Display“ key pressed until the next value is shown. If the “Display” key on the inverter has not
been in use for an extended period of time, the display will automatically indicate the currently delivered
power. The following values and data may appear on the display:
No.
Display message
Explanation
1
Display shown during the starting-up period (in the morning),
after a malfunction or prior to night shutdown. No grid
feeding in this mode of operation. The inverter waits until the
voltage has exceeded a value of 130 V. If this value is
exceeded for longer than 4 minutes the grid feeding will be
started. An audible sound is generated when the grid isolation
relay is enabled.
2
Actual voltage of the solar generator connected to the
inverter. Shown in volts and amps; voltage tolerance 3 %;
current tolerance 5% at rated power. Greater tolerances are
possible when smaller generator currents are displayed.
3
Actual grid voltage, grid current and power (measurement of
the phase into which power is delivered); displayed in volts,
amps and watts; voltage tolerance: 2%; current tolerance:
3 %.
4
Short-team peak grid feeding capacity of the day,
displayed in W.
Daily peak
capacity xxxx W
Line xxxx W
xxx.x V xx.xx A
Solar generator
xxx.x V xx.xx A
Start at 130 V
meas. xxx.x V

Grid-Tied String Inverter
Blue Planet PVI
KACO GERÄTETECHNIK GmbH
8
operator’s manual (AU)
No
Display message
Explanation
5
Display of the actual heat sink temperature, in °C. The
inverter will limit grid feeding if the temperature exceeds
65°C. If the device temperature exceeds 80°C it will be
switched off automatically.
6
Display of the various operating statuses:
Normal grid feeding operation. Power is fed into the
grid.
Waiting for sufficient solar generator power. The
generator voltage is not sufficiently high for grid feeding,
or the grid feeding process was stopped and the system
is re-started after a failure.
Waiting for night shutdown. The generator capacity is
no longer sufficient for grid feeding, and the device
waits for the night shutdown.
The connected solar generator has fed-in more power
than the inverter was able to adjust (short-term). As a
result, a safety shutdown was initiated.
The connected solar generator has supplied excessive
voltage.
There is a problem with the grid voltage, which prevents
grid-feeding.
The display indicates which phases are affected
(overvoltage or low voltage).
The devices changes over to night shutdown.
Temperature
inside xx °
Status:
Overload
Status: Device shut-
down
Line failure
Status:
Overvoltage
Status: Waiting for
shut-down
auf Abfahren
Status: Waiting for
start-up
Status:
Delivering power
operation

Grid-Tied String Inverter
Blue Planet PVI
KACO GERÄTETECHNIK GmbH
9
operator’s manual (AU)
No
Display message
Explanation
7
Indicates date and hour
8
Power delivered since sunrise. Display in watt hours
(not kWh!)
9
Power delivered during the current calendar year (January 1
to-date)
10
Power delivered since the time of inverter startup.
11
Today’s operating hours since sunrise. Displayed in hours
and minutes.
12
Operating hours during the past calendar year (January 1
to-date).
13
Operating hours since the time of inverter start-up.
Operating hours
Today xxxxx:xx
Total operating
hours xxxxx:xx
Annual operating
hours xxxxx:xx
Total yield
xxxxx kWh
Annual yield
xxxx.x kWh
Yield today
xxxxx Wh
Date xx.xx.200x
Hour xx:xx:xx

Grid-Tied String Inverter
Blue Planet PVI
KACO GERÄTETECHNIK GmbH
10
operator’s manual (AU)
Reading the daily values after shutting-down the inverter in the evening:
The device shuts down when it begins to get dark in the evening. After that, there are no further display
messages. To read the values of the current day in the evening or at night, you can activate the device by
pressing the gray key (see our illustration). Press the key at the underside of the device for approx. 30
seconds until the message is shown on the display. You can now scroll through the menu and view the
values of the current day.
If the key is not activated for a period exceeding one minute the device will automatically shut-down again.
The inverter only saves the actual values of the day. The annual operating hours, total operating hours,
annual grid feeding, total grid feeding, etc. are saved and accumulated. These data will not be lost –even if
the device has not been in operation for an extended period of time. However, if the device has not been in
use for several days it may be necessary to re-entry date and hour.
Fig. 1 Start button
Please note:
The displayed measuring values, i.e. generator current, generator voltage, grid current, grid voltage, etc.
all have a certain tolerance. This will of course affect the values derived, i.e. delivered power, daily peak
capacity and yield data.
The inverter display is designed to monitor the general operation of your system and to provide data about
Its functionality. However, the actual yield of your PV installation should be determined on the basis of a
calibrated power meter, which is provided by your Utility company (admissible tolerance of your electric
meter: ± 2%).
Accuracy of Measuring Data Acquisition
All measurements and, consequently, all displayed measuring values are subject to tolerances, i.e. measured
values do not correspond exactly to actual values. Depending on the specific requirements the appropriate
measuring elements and circuits are selected.
The measuring elements and measuring circuits of PVI were selected in a way allowing optimum operation
and maximum solar yield. Measuring errors that are within tolerance limits will not reduce the solar yield. Due
to tolerances the daily yields as displayed by the inverter may deviate up to 15% from the power meters
provided by the Electrical Power Company.