5 Communication and System Planning, Inverter Manager
5.1 Ethernet
Communication
5.1.1 System Overview
The system consists of 4 components:
•
PC with LCS software
•
Router/DHCP for plant network
•
Inverter Manager
•
MLX inverters
Illustration 5.1 Commissioning of Inverters Using LCS Tool
1
LCS Tool
2
Router/DHCP
3
MLX Inverter Manager
4
MLX inverter
5
LAN 2
6
LAN 1
This section describes how the system works and the
function of the individual components.
The system is divided into 2 Ethernet networks; Plant
network and inverter network (see
). The
plant network is the communication interface to the plant
and can operate together with other IT equipment, while
the inverter network must only be used for MLX series
inverters.
The plant network must have a router/DHCP server as the
Inverter Manager requires automatic IP assignment. It is
recommended to use professional grade routers and
switches.
NOTICE
When designing the plant network it is important to
consider network security in order to ensure that only
authorised personnel can access the plant network. This
is especially important when the plant network is
connected to the internet.
WARNING
SMA accepts no liability for damage or losses due to
unauthorised access to the plant.
The inverters are equipped with a 2 port Ethernet switch
allowing for daisy chaining. The Inverter Manager hosts the
DHCP server for the up to 42 inverters that can be
connected per Inverter Manager. In order to commission
the plant, all inverters must be connected to the Inverter
Manager. If the inverters loose connection they will
disconnect from the grid. Plants requiring more than 42
inverters can use multiple Inverter Managers in the plant
network.
5.1.2 Inverter Manager
The Inverter Manager separates the plant network and the
inverter network and handles the following plant level
tasks:
•
Allows access through SunSpec Modbus TCP
profile (acts as gateway to the inverters)
•
Distributed control of active and reactive power
(for example through reactive setpoint curves and
Power Level Adjustment)
•
Portal upload to FTP server
•
Access to plant configuration and service through
LCS
Communication and System Pl...
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L00410648-02_02 / Rev. date: 2014-10-03
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