Raydec MT5 User manual

MT5 Multi-Tracer
Operating Manual
Raydec, Inc.
10255 Corona Ave. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122
Doc Version 2.04
Jan 2022 [phone]
[email protected]
www.raydec.com

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1. Contents
1. Contents...................................................................................................................2
2. Introduction ..............................................................................................................6
3. Setup........................................................................................................................7
3.1. Hardware Installation ........................................................................................7
3.1.1. Mounting....................................................................................................8
3.1.2. AC Power...................................................................................................8
3.1.3. Ventilation................................................................................................10
3.1.4. Connections.............................................................................................10
Load Control.......................................................................................................10
PV Module Connections.....................................................................................11
Wire Size and Voltage Drop ...............................................................................14
Aux Input Connections .......................................................................................15
Thermocouple Connections................................................................................16
Keyboard and Video Monitor..............................................................................17
3.1.5. Power Up.................................................................................................18
3.1.6. Network....................................................................................................18
3.1.7. Setting the Time.......................................................................................18
4. MT5 System Configuration and Use ......................................................................19
4.1. Real-Time Data Tab........................................................................................20
4.2. IV Curve Data Tab..........................................................................................21
4.3. Settings Tab....................................................................................................22
4.3.1. Global Load & IV Curve Control...............................................................22

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Global Load Mode..............................................................................................22
Global IV Curve Mode........................................................................................23
4.3.2. Module Channel Settings.........................................................................24
Module Channel & Description Fields.................................................................25
Load Mode..........................................................................................................25
Enable Auto IV Curves .......................................................................................26
Integration Period...............................................................................................26
Aperture & Total Area.........................................................................................27
Advanced Power Tracking..................................................................................27
Associated Temperatures, Irradiance and Aux Data..........................................28
4.3.3. Aux Input Scales......................................................................................31
4.3.4. Temperature Setup..................................................................................33
4.3.5. IV Curve Setup ........................................................................................34
4.3.6. Data Logging ...........................................................................................35
4.4. System Tab.....................................................................................................36
4.4.1. Date & Time.............................................................................................36
Manual Time & Date...........................................................................................36
Automatically Set Time.......................................................................................37
4.4.2. Network Settings......................................................................................39
4.4.3. Users .......................................................................................................40
4.4.4. Calibration................................................................................................40
4.5. Help Tab .........................................................................................................41
4.6. Direct Hardware Interface...............................................................................43
5. Multi-Tracer Data ...................................................................................................44

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5.1. Performance Data...........................................................................................44
5.1.1. Data Logging Interval...............................................................................44
5.1.2. Load Mode...............................................................................................45
5.2. IV Curve Data .................................................................................................46
5.3. Accessing Data Files ......................................................................................47
6. Network Connection...............................................................................................49
6.1. Networking Basics ..........................................................................................49
6.1.1. Network Change via Keyboard and Monitor ............................................50
6.1.2. Network Change via Temporary Network................................................51
6.2. Testing Network Connection...........................................................................53
6.3. Advanced Network Settings............................................................................55
6.3.1. Gateway Address ....................................................................................55
6.3.2. DNS 1 & 2................................................................................................55
6.3.3. MAC Address...........................................................................................55
6.4. Network Security, Usernames and Passwords...............................................56
6.4.1. Web Interface Access Control .................................................................56
6.4.2. FTP Access .............................................................................................58
6.4.3. Resetting Passwords...............................................................................59
6.4.4. Security Limitations..................................................................................59
7. Calibration..............................................................................................................60
7.1. Module Voltage Calibration.............................................................................61
7.2. Module Current Calibration.............................................................................64
7.3. Aux Input Calibration.......................................................................................66
8. Changing Module Grounding .................................................................................67

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9. Status Indicators ....................................................................................................70
9.1. MT5 Controller Status LED’s...........................................................................70
9.2. MT5 Load Unit Status LED’s...........................................................................71
10. System Expansion and Configuration....................................................................72
10.1. Connecting a new load ...................................................................................72
10.2. Learning The System Configuration................................................................73
10.3. Show System Configuration............................................................................74
11. Maintenance ..........................................................................................................75
11.1. MT5 Controller................................................................................................75
11.1.1. MT5 Load Unit.........................................................................................75
Appendix A - Multi-Tracer Connectors.....................................................78
Appendix B - Peak-Power Tracking.........................................................79
Appendix C - Module Fuse Replacement ................................................81
Appendix D - Replaceable Parts..............................................................83
Appendix E - Specifications.....................................................................84
Appendix F - Network Access and Ports..................................................88

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2. Introduction
The Multi-Tracer 5 System (MT5) provides a complete, self-contained, electrical load
and data acquisition system for collecting performance data of photovoltaic modules.
The MT5 collects two types of data; continuous performance under load, and IV curves.
When not taking IV curves, the MT5 operates the PV modules under load conditions
defined by the user. While under load, the MT5 samples module voltage and current.
Additionally, the system samples temperatures and a set of auxiliary (Aux) inputs (e.g.,
pyranometers). The MT5 samples all values once per second and averages these
values over a period defined by the user.
The MT5 also takes periodic IV curves of each module. The period is set by the user.
For example, the system can be setup to take curves once each hour.
An MT5 System consists of one MT5 Controller and one to four load units. An MT5
Controller operates the load units and also samples data from the temperature and
auxiliary input connections. A standard MT5 Controller has 24 temperature
(thermocouple) inputs and 8 Aux inputs. An MT5 Load Unit provides an electrical load
and data acquisition for up to 16 photovoltaic (PV) modules. The actual load
configurations are defined by the user when their MT5 is ordered.
The MT5 system is self-contained and once setup, the MT5 will collect and store data
internally without any other external equipment. The MT5 is a network device. This
means that it connects to an existing computer network via common Ethernet cables
and uses standard TCP/IP protocols.
A web browser provides the primary user interface for configuring and monitoring the
MT5 system. Currently, the MT5 system only supports the Mozilla Firefox browser. The
MT5 runs an internal web server. No special software is needed to interact with the MT.

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3. Setup
Basic setup of the MT5 System is straight forward and requires a few key steps:
1) Hardware Installation.
2) Establish a network connection.
3) Configure operating parameters.
Each of these is discussed, in detail, in the following sections
3.1. Hardware Installation
Follow these basic steps for proper installation:
1) Mount the MT5 Controller and Load Unit(s).
2) Connect AC power (but leave units turned off).
3) Connect MT5 Load unit(s) to MT5 Control Unit using provided cable.
4) Connect PV modules, temperature sensors, and other signals.
5) Power up the MT5 Load and Control units.
6) Allow approximately 2 minutes for the MT5 System to boot.
7) Test Network Connection.

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3.1.1. Mounting
Mount the MT5 Controller and Load units in standard 19-inch equipment rack or on a
stable surface. Each controller and load requires AC power and each load must connect
to the controller with a load control cable. See Appendix E - Specifications, for detailed
power requirements.
The load unit dissipates energy as warm air. Fans are mounted on the bottom of the
load unit. Make sure the airflow is not blocked. See the discussion of ventilation below
for more details. The cooling fans are relatively noisy when running at full power (up to
86 dB). Therefore, consider fan noise when locating the system.
3.1.2. AC Power
Both the MT5 Controller and Load units require AC power. Raydec strongly
recommends powering the MT5 Controller and Load units through an uninterruptible
power supply (UPS). The MT5 System includes an internal computer and, as with any
computer, clean and stable power helps to ensure trouble-free operation. In addition to
helping to prevent system damage, a UPS also reduces the possibility of losing data.
Each load unit requires an external electrical ground. Although the AC power cord
connects the Load unit chassis to AC power ground, this ground connection cannot
handle the potential worst-case ground-fault currents from the connected PV modules.
Therefore, additional grounding is used to ensure safe operation of the unit under worst-
case conditions. Figure 1, shows the grounding lug mounted on the MT5 Load units.
This lug accommodates wires from #4 to 1/0 AWG.

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Figure 1. Grounding lug.
Raydec recommends connecting the largest gauge wire possible in your installation
from this external ground point to earth ground. Note: That this external ground is not
needed for proper operation, nor is the unit unsafe without this connection. However,
this connection provides additional safety if the MT5 Load Unit experiences a
catastrophic failure requiring that all module currents be shunted to ground.

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3.1.3. Ventilation
The MT5 Load Units dissipate the electrical energy from the modules as heat in the
form of warm air. It is critical that the MT5 Load unit have adequate ventilation that
allows cool ambient air to enter the front and exit the back of the load unit with minimal
airflow restriction. Raydec recommends a minimum of 1 foot (12 “or 30 cm) of clearance
between the load fan intakes and exhaust, and surrounding surfaces.
Take care to avoid allowing the warm exhaust air to re-circulate to the fan intake. This
will cause the MT5 Load Unit to overheat requiring that it shutdown, and possibly
damage the unit.
Note: If operating the MT5 System inside an air conditioned area, the heat from the MT5
will add to the load on the air conditioning system. This will require the cooling system
work harder to remove this heat from the room. Or conversely, this heat will help warm
a room in winter months. The MT5 load dissipates all of the PV module power as warm
air, plus some small additional power from the load unit circuitry.
The MT5 Control unit dissipates little power and no special precautions or ventilation is
needed.
3.1.4. Connections
The MT5 has several specific connections and each is described below. The MT5
system comes with all the connectors needed. The manufacturer and part numbers of
each connector are listed in Appendix A.
Load Control
Each MT5 Control unit can control up to four MT5 Load Units. For a typical system with
one controller and one load, connect the load unit to the Load 1 port of the controller.
Use the 1-meter load control cable provided. Longer cables may be used if necessary.
Contact Raydec if you need a longer load control cable.