ZERO Export
“Universal ZERO export controller”
Manual
Version 0.1
elgris GmbH
Langerweher Str. 10
D-52459 Inden
Germany
www.elgrispower.com
info@elgrispower.com
Version: 3. Januar 2018 18:49
www.elgrispower.com
Page 2 of 10
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ___________________________________________________________________________ 3
2. INSTALLATION ____________________________________________________________________________ 4
2.1 Safety instructions ____________________________________________________________________ 4
2.2 Device overview______________________________________________________________________ 4
2.3 Pin description _______________________________________________________________________ 5
2.4 Wiring diagram ______________________________________________________________________ 5
2.5 RS 485 pin out _______________________________________________________________________ 6
2.6 Dipswitches _________________________________________________________________________ 6
3 COMMISSIONING __________________________________________________________________________ 7
3.1 First time power on ___________________________________________________________________ 7
4 GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE __________________________________________________________ 8
4.1 Overview ___________________________________________________________________________ 8
4.2 Inverter settings ______________________________________________________________________ 8
4.3 elgris cloud __________________________________________________________________________ 9
4.4 System settings _____________________________________________________________________ 10
Version: 3. Januar 2018 18:49
www.elgrispower.com
Page 3 of 10
1. Introduction
Dear customer, thank you for purchasing this product. The ZERO export controller is the first
controller available on the market which can control up to 10 PV inverters with ZERO export.
The ZERO export controller has the following features
• Full 3 phase power measurements
• MODBUS RTU control
• MODBUS TCP control
• USB for data storage (depending on the version)
• User LED for status information
• Webserver for intuitive configuration and parametrisation
The following versions or modules are available:
• ZERO EXPORT
• MONITORING AND DATALOGGER
• POWER MANAGEMENT
• LOAD MANAGEMENT
This manual covers all versions. Version specific information is marked on version specific chapters.
Specializing in products for renewable energy, Diesel generators and hybrid power solutions, the
ZERO export offers the following features standard:
• Wide range power supply input from 85 - 265 V
AC
(50 - 60 Hz)
• Small footprint.
• Intuitive software.
• Wide temperature range of -40° – +85°.
• Industrial PUR protection coating for extra rugged environment.
• IP-68 on request.
If you have any questions or if something is unclear, you can contact us in several ways:
Per E-Mail : support@elgrispower.com
By Phone : +49 (0) 2423 9086501
Version: 3. Januar 2018 18:49
www.elgrispower.com
Page 4 of 10
2. Installation
2.1 Safety instructions
Before installing the product in the end-installation, ensure that the device is not damages during
transport and everything looks in a normal way.
All the connecting cables must not be bent or squeezed. This can result in malfunctions, short circuits
and defects in the device and/or sensor connected.
Make sure that cables are not damaged when drilling or bolting in place.
The module may only be commissioned after it has been installed contact-free in a casing. This
product generates high frequency. Never operate it in the vicinity of medical devices (e.g.
pacemakers) and/or medical equipment (e.g. in hospitals). Look for a suitable installation site.
2.2 Device overview
Before wiring the device, be sure that the voltage is switched off.
on
1
2
3
4
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10
RS-485
Ethernet
USB
Version: 3. Januar 2018 18:49
www.elgrispower.com
Page 5 of 10
2.3 Pin description
Voltage
input
Pin
Description
Minimum
Maximum
1
Phase 1 voltage input
85 Vac
250 Vac
2
Phase 2 voltage input
85 Vac
250 Vac
3
Phase 3 voltage input
85 Vac
250 Vac
4
Neutral input of voltage
0 Vac
Power
input
5
K input current transformer L1
0 Aac
5 Aac
6
L input current transformer L1
0 Aac
5 Aac
7
K input current transformer L2
0 Aac
5 Aac
8
L input current transformer L2
0 Aac
5 Aac
9
K input current transformer L3
0 Aac
5 Aac
10
L input current transformer L3
0 Aac
5 Aac
Dipswitc
h
1
IP address selection
OFF = DHCP
ON = static
2
System frequency
OFF = 50 Hz
ON = 60 Hz
3
Single or Three phase
OFF = Three phase
ON = Single phase
4
Internal use only
OFF = Default
2.4 Wiring diagram
on
1 2 3 4
L1
L2
L3
N
L
K
K
L
GRID
LOAD
N
Please read the manual of the used inverter to check wiring scheme.
Note: Some inverters may need additional hardware
Version: 3. Januar 2018 18:49
www.elgrispower.com
Page 6 of 10
2.5 RS 485 pin out
Pin
Description
1
Not connected
2
RS-232 TX
3
RS-232 RX
4
RS-485 B (D-)
5
RS-485 A (D+)
6
GND
7
Not connected
8
Not connected
2.6 Dipswitches
Dipswitch
Description
OFF
ON
1
DHCP
Static IP
2
50 Hz
60 Hz
3
Three phase
Single phase
4
Not used must be OFF
2.7 LED status
The LED on board informs the user about the internal status.
LED colour
Meaning
Action
Off
No power or internal error
Contact support
Internal Error
Contact support
Date and time not set, no USB data
logging possible
Update date and time or check
internet connection for SNTP
Standby, no inverter online
Check inverter settings
Controller is throttling the PV
Normal operation
Power management active
Normal operation
Controller is not throttling PV
Normal operation
Version: 3. Januar 2018 18:49
www.elgrispower.com
Page 7 of 10
3 Commissioning
Before starting with the commissioning of the ZERO export controller all safety precautions must be
taken which apply to the rules in your country and general safety rules. Never work on a system with
a running generator or connected grid and short the output of the generator (when available) before
working on the power system.
Only a few settings are needed to commission the ZERO export controller.
Most important is the settings of the current transformer and the minimum setpoint of the
generator.
3.1 First time power on
Follow the following steps when the system is first time being powered.
Switch of the PV inverter, disconnect the PV inverter from the system and start the controller
by applying power to L1 and N in case you use a single-phase system or L1, L2 and L3 with N
for three phase systems. When the ZERO export unit is working properly, the LED is blinking
green.
Connect to the embedded webserver by typing the default address 192.168.1.100 in a web
browser.
On the Menu select Settings to adjust the CT ratio. The CT ratio is defined as 1: value. For
example, when you have a CT 5:200 the value is 40.
When the CT ratio is changed the power readings on the overview page should match the
actual power. A positive value is consumption from the grid, a negative value means
exporting to the grid. When this is not correct, check the wiring of K and L of the CT.
Switch on the DC side of the PV system to commission the PV inverters. The steps to add an
inverter to the system is explained on page 7.
Version: 3. Januar 2018 18:49
www.elgrispower.com
Page 8 of 10
4 Graphical User Interface
The ZERO export controller includes a webserver to adjust the system parameters and see the status
of the system.
By default, the webserver can be reached by typing the IP address 192.168.1.100 in a web browser.
Supported web browsers are Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
4.1 Overview
4.2 Inverter settings
After selecting the brand of the inverter which needs to be controlled, the type of communication
needs to be selected. Not all communication options are available for all inverters. Please refer to the
inverter support list on the website www.elgrispower.com
When selecting TCP as communication, the IP address and MODBUS TCP port (Default 502) must be
adjusted. When selecting RS 485 for communication, the MODBUS slave ID must be set and the serial
port settings must match the inverter settings.
When all settings are correct they can be send to the inverter by pressing “Save settings”. Up to ten
inverters can be programmed by pressing “Add Inverter”.
Header with status
information and menu
Main area with system
information
Daily chart with load
and PV output
Version: 3. Januar 2018 18:49
www.elgrispower.com
Page 9 of 10
4.3 elgris cloud
With the elgris cloud you can store data on the open source platform emonCMS. This enables the
user to have a cloud solution where all data can be visualised and transferred on other mediums.
The emonCMS software can run on the open source server, a self-hosted server or local server like
Raspberry PI.
To start logging, you must fill out the server address with its hostname, the user key for security and
optional a user name when you want to log more data under the same account.
With the interval time you can set the time between each update interval. By setting the time to
zero, the data logging to the remote sever stops.
The response of the communication is displayed as last messages. When everything is working fine,
the message ”Ok” will be displayed here.
Version: 3. Januar 2018 18:49
www.elgrispower.com
Page 10 of 10
4.4 System settings
On the settings page the main settings and parameters can be changed. To enable the advanced
settings, the checkbox must be selected
Status information
and settings for
information
Basic settings like IP
address and date /
time
Advanced settings for
RS 485 bus and
control parameters
Loading...