PV Remote Unit
A 1378
Instruction manual
Version 2.1, Code no. 20 752 010
2
Distributor:
Manufacturer:
METREL d.d.
Ljubljanska cesta 77
1354 Horjul
Slovenia
web site: http://www.metrel.si
e-mail: metrel@metrel.si
Mark on your equipment certifies that this equipment meets th e requireme nts of the E U
(European Union) concerning safety and electromagnetic compatibility regulations
© 2013 METREL
The trade names Metrel, Smartec, Eurotest, Autosequence are trademarks registered or pending in
Europe and other countries.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means
without permission in writing from METREL.
A 1378 PV Remote Unit Table of contents
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Table of contents
1 Preface .................................................................................................................... 4
2 Safety and operational considerations ................................................................. 5
2.1 Warnings and notes .......................................................................................... 5
2.2 Battery and charging ......................................................................................... 5
2.3 Standards applied ............................................................................................. 7
3 Instrument description ........................................................................................... 8
3.1 Front panel ........................................................................................................ 8
3.2 Connector panel ................................................................................................ 9
3.3 Back side ......................................................................................................... 10
3.4 Battery indication ............................................................................................. 11
3.5 Warnings and messages ................................................................................. 11
3.6 Help screens ................................................................................................... 11
3.7 Backlight and contrast adjustments ................................................................. 11
3.8 Measuring probes ............................................................................................ 12
4 Instrument operation ............................................................................................ 13
4.1 Function selection ........................................................................................... 13
4.2 Settings ........................................................................................................... 13
4.2.1 Language ................................................................................................................ 13
4.2.2 Clear memory ......................................................................................................... 14
4.2.3 Irradiance sensor .................................................................................................... 14
4.2.4 Date and time .......................................................................................................... 14
5 Measurements ...................................................................................................... 15
6 Saving of results and synchronization with the instrument ............................. 17
7 Upgrading the instrument .................................................................................... 18
8 Maintenance .......................................................................................................... 19
8.1 Cleaning .......................................................................................................... 19
8.2 Periodic calibration .......................................................................................... 19
8.3 Service ............................................................................................................ 19
9 Technical specifications ...................................................................................... 20
9.1 Irradiance ........................................................................................................ 20
9.2 Temperature (cell and ambient) ...................................................................... 20
9.3 General data (PV remote unit) ......................................................................... 20
A 1378 PV Remote Unit Preface
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1 Preface
The PV Remote unit is a professional hand-held accessory intended to perform
temperature and solar irradiance measurements.
PV modules and connection terminals for measuring are often not on the same location.
For examples PV modules are on the roof and connection terminals are at the inverter
inside the building. With the PV Remote environmental parameters can be measured
while electrical parameters are measured with the instrument on another location. The
clocks of main instrument and PV Remote unit can be synchronized. This enables an
easy pooling of data measured at the same time after the tests are finished.
Contemporary measurement of electrical and environmental values is demanded in
some standards for calculation of efficiency of PV systems.
The graphic display with backlight offers easy reading of results, indications,
measurement parameters and messages.
A 1378 PV Remote Unit Safety and operational considerations
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2 Safety and operational considerations
2.1 Warnings and notes
In order to maintain a high level of accuracy while carrying out various tests and
measurements, Metrel recommends keeping your Remote unit in good condition and
undamaged. When using the instrument, consider the following general warnings:
The symbol on the instrument means »Read the Instruction manual
with special care for safe operation«. The symbol requires an action!
Service intervention or adjustment is only allowed to be carried out by a
competent authorized personnel!
The instrument comes supplied with rechargeable or Ni-MH battery cells.
The cells should only be replaced with the same type as defined on the
battery compartment label or as described in this manual. Do not use
standard alkaline battery cells while the power supply adapter is
connected, otherwise they may explode!
2.2 Battery and charging
The instrument uses six AA size alkaline or rechargeable Ni-MH battery cells. Nominal
operating time is declared for cells with nominal capacity of 2100 mAh.
Battery condition is always displayed in the lower right display part.
In case the battery is too weak the instrument indicates this as shown in figure 2.1. This
indication appears for a few seconds and then the instrument turns itself off.
Figure 2-1: Discharged battery indication
The battery is charged whenever the power supply adapter is connected to the
instrument. The power supply socket polarity is shown in figure 2.2. Internal circuit
controls charging and assures maximum battery lifetime.
+
-
Figure 2-2: Power supply socket polarity
The instrument automatically recognizes the connected power supply adapter and
begins charging.
A 1378 PV Remote Unit Safety and operational considerations
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Symbols:
Indication of battery charging
Figure 2-3: Charging indication
Warnings related to safety
When connected to an installation, the instruments battery compartment can
contain hazardous voltage inside! When replacing battery cells or before
opening the battery/fuse compartment cover, disconnect any measuring
accessory connected to the instrument and turn off the instrument,
Ensure that the battery cells are inserted correctly otherwise the instrument will
not operate and the batteries could be discharged.
If the instrument is not to be used for a long period of time, remove all batteries
from the battery compartment.
Alkaline or rechargeable Ni-MH batteries (size AA) can be used. Metrel
recommends only using rechargeable batteries with a capacity of 2100mAh or
above.
Do not recharge alkaline battery cells!
Use only power supply adapter delivered from the manufacturer or distributor of
the test equipment to avoid possible fire or electric shock!
Notes:
The charger in the instrument is a pack cell charger. This means that the battery
cells are connected in series during the charging. The battery cells have to be
equivalent (same charge condition, same type and age).
One different battery cell can cause an improper behavior of the entire battery
pack.
Unpredictable chemical processes can occur during the charging of battery cells
that have been left unused for a longer period (more than 6 months). In this case
Metrel recommends to repeat the charge / discharge cycle at least 2-4 times.
If no improvement is achieved after several charge / discharge cycles, then each
battery cell should be checked (by comparing battery voltages, testing them in a
cell charger, etc). It is very likely that only some of the battery cells are
deteriorated.
The effects described above should not be confused with the normal decrease of
battery capacity over time. Battery also loses some capacity when it is repeatedly
charged / discharged. This information is provided in the technical specification
from battery manufacturer.
MI 1378 PV Remote Unit Safety and operational considerations
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2.3 Standards applied
The unit is manufactured and tested in accordance with the following regulations:
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
EN 61326 Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory
use – EMC requirements
Class B (Hand-held equipment used in controlled EM environments)
Safety (LVD)
EN 61010-1 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control
and laboratory use – Part 1: General requirements
Reference standard for photovoltaic systems
EN 62446
Grid connected photovoltaic systems – Minimum requirements for
system documentation, commissioning tests and inspection
Note about EN and IEC standards:
Text of this manual contains references to European standards. All standards of
EN 6XXXX (e.g. EN 61010) series are equivalent to IEC standards with the same
number (e.g. IEC 61010) and differ only in amended parts required by European
harmonization procedure.
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