SEP RSD User manual

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NEP RSD System Installation
Quick Guide
Rev. 8/9/23
“Quick Guide” to assist installer during installation.
Prerequisites include; NEP site design review, Formal online training

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Summary of Steps
Part 2 –Gateway, Data, Connectivity
9. Connect to Internet
10. Scan Barcodes
11. Create Account
12. Build New NEPViewer Site
13. Commissioning and Mapping
Part 1 –Hardware
1. Mount PVG
2. Collect, Build S/N Sticker Map
3. Connect PVG to PV Modules
4. Mount Gateway Hardware
5. Connect Homeruns
6. Test String Voltages
7. Turn System On
8. Test System Voltages/RSD On/Off
Welcome to NEP!
If any questions, call NEP Hotline for Technical Support: 888-598-9901

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Part 1 | Hardware

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1: Mount PVG
Option 1: Frame Mount
●Carefully remove PVG from packaging. DO NOT pull on MC4 head leeds by
hand, carefully cut the zip ties without damaging wiring
●Attach module frame mount to PVG Mounting Bracket
●Friction fit the frame mount to the rear of the module frame
●A minimum 0.5 inch MUST be kept between any portion of PVG to the
backside of a PV panel, and label must face AWAY from module.
Press onto PV frameAttach clip Ensure air gap

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1: Mount PVG
Option 2: Rack Mount
●Mount PVG to rail using standard rail mounting hardware available from the
racking supplier

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2: Collect and Build S/N Sticker Map
●It is crucial to peel off the barcode from each PVG unit. Creat a sticker map showing
location and orientation of each module.
●This practice ensures accurate mapping of the system during the commissioning step.
Serial number stickers for
each PVG unit

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3: Connect PVG to Modules
●PVGs must be connected to PV modules before connecting homeruns
●When there is an odd number of modules in a string, there must be a module
connected to “PV-1” and any other inputs must be shorted to itself as shown below
left.
●While plugging or unplugging PVGs in a system, DC switch on the inverter must be
turned off
Unused port
shall be shorted
PV-1 must be
connected to a PV
panel to power
the unit

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4: Mount Gateway and Extra Hardware
Option 1: PVG-O
●Enclosure must be mounted within 10' of the string inverter, and each string inverter must
have its own dedicated PVG-M/O.
●Consider input voltage range (208Vac to 277Vac) when mounting PVG-M/O on the roof or
ground. Power should be supplied through "double lugging" the AC inputs in the string
inverter bottom cabinet or using a dedicated 2 or 3 pole breaker in the load center.
●Do not penetrate the enclosure top to avoid warranty voidance due to water intrusion.
●Some string inverters only require a 480V AC input without a neutral wire. In such cases, if the
string inverter is the only power source available for PVG-M/PVG-O, installation of a step-
down transformer (NEP part #NC0143-US) is necessary to lower the input voltage. This
application includes a PVG-M with a built-in transformer.

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4: Mount Gateway and Extra Hardware
Option 1: PVG-O

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4: Mount Gateway and Extra Hardware
Option 2: PVG-M
PVG-M Diagram with
Cellular Option
(if not wifi, or Ethernet)
Optional transformer
(if only 480Vac source to
Drop to 277Vac for
Gateway)

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4: Mount Gateway and Extra Hardware
Option 2: PVG-M

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5: Connect Home Runs
●RSD’s must be connected to PV modules before connecting home runs to avoid damage
●Ensure that the positive and negative conductors of homeruns belonging to the same PV
string are kept in close proximity, ideally within a twisted pair configuration in cable tray
●Ensure little-to-no tension at the terminals of the PVGs and the PV modules. (Implement
2” radius bends)
PVG and PVG controllers use advanced
signaling to eliminate crosstalk
interference between adjacent
systems. Separate raceways add an
extra layer of signal protection, but
does not affect NEP crosstalk mitigation

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6: Test String Voltages
●Plug string to test into String + and -
●Push and turn button counter-clockwise
●Test Voltage across Test Port + and -
●Turn on PVG-T with red rocker switch
●Voltage should not change
●Turn Button clockwise to pop it out
●Voltage should increase as string activates
●Push in button
●String should drop to safety voltage within
●30 seconds
●Turn off tester

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7: Turn on System
●After all strings of the site have been tested inverters may be turned on.
●String current should be checked to confirm correct operation after commissioning.
●RSD’s must be “ON” in order to test string voltages, and the correct operation of the
inverters.

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7: Test voltages/RSD on/off For entire system
●Test each string one by one at the inverter. This may be done while the RSD’s are
connected.
●Since PVG’s are not activated, string voltage should be: (Voc of PV module * # of panels
in the string)
●If voltage is reading low, check connections with rapid shutdown devices

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Part 2 | Gateway, Data, and Connectivity
Screenshot
“NEPViewer”
Module and RSD Functioning

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8: Connect to Internet
Plug in Booster
near router, and
connect an
ethernet cable
between them.
Connect an
ethernet cable
between your
router and the
bottom of the
BDG-256
Optional
cellular is pre-
configured out
of the box.

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9: Scanning Barcodes
●To use the scanner, plug it into the
gateway's USB port and
●navigate to the COM ID screen in the
setting menu.
●Scan the barcode of the desired
module into the Inverter1 cell, and
repeat until all serial numbers have
been input.
●Make sure to note which module
corresponds to each serial number for
easier identification later on.
●Once all serials have been input, the
gateway will prompt for a reboot.

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10: Create Account
●If you are new to using NEP products, please
visit our registration page at
https://user.nepviewer.com/pv_manager/re
gister.php?lang=en to create an account for
yourself or your company.
●Once you have registered, please contact
NEP Support via email at
support@northernep.com or by calling (888)
598-9901 to have your account upgraded to
an installer account.
●Send the client to the same site and create
an account as well.
●Client will not have module level view by
default. If you need that changed, contact
NEP Support.

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11: Build New NEPViewer Site
●Access your installer account on the
NEP website using your registered
email and log in to your account.
●Click on the "Add Site" button to
create a new site.
●Fill out all the necessary fields in the
site creator, including the serial
number of the gateway, which can
be found on the top-left of the
gateway bezel or by navigating to
Menu > Software on the gateway.
●If you have multiple gateway serial
numbers, click the "Add" button
above the serial number field to add
more.
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