Related Manuals for DayStar DS-1000
Summary of Contents for DayStar DS-1000
- Page 1 DS-1000 I-V CURVE TRACER User Manual Daystar, Inc. 3240 Majestic Ridge Doc Version 7100 Las Cruces, NM 88011 Jan 2016 575-522-4943 pvvern@zianet.com http://www.daystarpv.com...
- Page 2 This I-V curve tracer was built to Daystar, Inc. specifications by: Raydec, Inc. 8210 La Mirada, Suite 700 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
DS-1000 Operating Manual page i CONTENTS CONTENTS ..........................i WARNINGS ..........................iii NOMENCLATURE ........................iv 1.0 Installation & Taking I-V Curves ..................5 Basic Description ...................... 5 IVPC Installation ....................... 6 Precautions ....................... 6 Connecting a Computer to the DS-Tracer ..............7 Connecting a PV Module to the DS-Tracer .............. - Page 4 Appendix A DS-Tracer ERROR CODES ................31 Appendix B DS-1000 USB Drivers ..................33 Appendix C - DS-1000 Technical Specifications ..............35 Measurement Accuracy .................... 35 PV Voltage Accuracy ..................35 PV Current Accuracy ..................35 Irradiance and Aux Input Accuracy ..............35 Temperature Accuracy ..................
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Page 5: Warnings
DS-1000 Operating Manual page iii WARNINGS THE IMPROPER USE OF THIS INSTRUMENT CAN PRESENT AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD THAT CAN CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. THIS INSTRUMENT SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS DESCRIBED IN THIS OPERATIONS MANUAL. WARNING THIS INSTRUMENT MAY PRESENT AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK... -
Page 6: Nomenclature
DS-1000 Operating Manual NOMENCLATURE Amperes or Amp Hertz Current Current at peak power I sc Short-Circuit Current: The maximum current a photovoltaic cell can generate with the output terminals shorted Current-Voltage Photovoltaic Voltage V oc Open-Circuit Voltage: The maximum voltage a photovoltaic cell can... -
Page 7: Installation & Taking I-V Curves
IVPC application may be connected to the DS-Tracer by RS-232 serial or USB. Most DS-Tracer operations are performed with the IVPC program. Refer to the IVPC help system for details on operating the DS-1000 I-V Tracer. However, the basic steps for using the DS-Tracer are: •... -
Page 8: Ivpc Installation
Be sure the PV array is electrically isolated from power conditioning equipment such as charge controllers or inverters. • Do not connect the DS-1000 Tracer to a PV system with an open-circuit voltage greater than 1000 Volts. • Do not connect the DS-Tracer to any PV system with a short-circuit current greater than maximum 100 Amperes for a standard DS-1000. -
Page 9: Connecting A Computer To The Ds-Tracer
7 Connecting a Computer to the DS-Tracer The DS-1000 I-V Tracer provides two interfaces; an RS-232 and USB port. The RS-232 interface uses a standard female, 9 pin connector located on the DS- Tracer front panel. The standard USB connection is labeled “Main USB.” Use either of these connections depending on the configuration of the computer running the IVPC program. -
Page 10: Starting Ivpc
8 Installation & Taking I-V Curve DS-1000 Operating Manual Starting IVPC The following description assumes the use of IVPC 3. IVPC opens to the Data Grid window shown in Figure 1. IVPC Data Grid window.. The Data Grid is a spread sheet that lists all of the I-V curve data files stored in the I-V curve worksheet. -
Page 11: Taking An I-V Curve
DS-1000 Operating Manual Additional Capabilities page 9 Taking an I-V Curve Before taking a curve, turn on the DS-Tracer and connect it to the PV system. Connect the computer running IVPC to the DS-Tracer. From the “Curve” menu, shown in Figure 2, select “New Curve” or press Ctrl-T. - Page 12 10 Installation & Taking I-V Curve DS-1000 Operating Manual After starting a new curve, IVPC opens a new curve window as shown in Figure 3. This window provides areas to enter curve information identifying the I-V curve. The DS-Tracer may take several seconds to initialize the tracer hardware.
- Page 13 DS-1000 Operating Manual Additional Capabilities page 11 After initialization, the status message changes and the “Take Curve” button is enabled as shown in Figure 4. This status message indicates that a curve can be taken by pressing the “Take Curve” button or by pressing Alt-T.
- Page 14 12 Installation & Taking I-V Curve DS-1000 Operating Manual After pressing the “Take Curve” button, the DS-Tracer takes approximately 2 to 10 seconds to take the curve and plot the data as shown in Figure 5. The new curve data is automatically added to the worksheet. However, the worksheet is not automatically saved to disk.
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Page 15: If There Is An Error
COM port on the computer. Note: If the COM port is a “virtual” COM port, such as those created by USB to serial adapters or by the DS-1000 USB drivers, it is possible that this COM port number has been inadvertently changed. -
Page 16: Summary Of Steps For Taking I-V Curves
IVPC. Refer to the IVPC help system for details. Note: Pyranometers do not need to be used to sweep an I-V curve. Connect thermocouples to the DS-1000. Refer to the IVPC help system for details. Thermocouples are not required to sweep an I-V curve. -
Page 17: Panel Layout
The DS-Tracer generates a complete current-voltage (I-V) curve that characterizes the photovoltaic system under test. Figure 7 shows the front panel layout of the DS-1000. Each of the key components is described in detail in the following section. Manufac tur ed by R ay dec, Inc., Albuquerque, N M... -
Page 18: Pv Test Lead Connector
16 Panel Layout DS-1000 Operating Manual PV Test Lead Connector When an I-V curve is taken, the load current flows through the test lead into DS- Tracer. The red and black test clips go to PV array positive and negative terminals respectively. -
Page 19: Dc Supply Input & Fuse
This port supports auxiliary DS-1000 operations This port is a standard USB Type-A port. This port is not used to control the DS-1000 I-V tracer. It is used to update the I-V curve tracer internal firmware. In the event that an update is needed, the proper use of this port will be described at that time. -
Page 20: Main Usb Port
Refer to the “DS-1000 Command Reference” manual for details. Thermocouple Inputs The standard model DS-1000 is configured with two Type “T” thermocouple inputs for measuring PV array module temperatures. Refer to the IVPC Help system for details on making temperature measurements and “Appendix C - DS- 1000 Technical Specifications”. -
Page 21: Aux Analog Inputs
DS-Tracer common. Refer to the IVPC Help system for details on using this feature. Refer to “Aux Input Connections” in section “6.0 DS-1000 Additional Capabilities” for details on connecting to these inputs. -
Page 22: Theory Of Operation
NOTE: The DS-1000 uses a sophisticated switching technique that actively controls the start of the sweep. Although this controlled switching is designed to detect fault conditions and take appropriate action to protect the DS-1000, the user is encouraged to ensure the DS-Tracer is always used with PV... -
Page 23: Curve Sweep
I-V curve. Pre-Charge Before acquiring data, the DS-1000 reverse charges its capacitive load to approximately -15 V. This negative pre-charge is used to offset any voltage drops created by the test leads and to allow any switching transients to settle before I is reached. - Page 24 It is left to the user to determine if there is reason for concern. Often the PV module manufacturer can provide information concerning how quickly an I-V curve can be swept on their modules. Daystar, Inc. will also provide any assistance possible.
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Page 25: Maintenance
The DS-Tracer battery may be charged in two ways–AC line power or a DC source such as a PV module. The DS-1000 has a universal AC power supply and therefore will work with single phase, AC line voltages from 85 V to 264 50/60Hz. -
Page 26: Exterior Cleaning
Because of its weight, it will likely be damaged if it is dropped or tossed. Due to airline security, Daystar does not recommend attempting to carry the tracer on board a commercial airplane as... -
Page 27: Ds-Tracer Fuses
Maintenance page 25 carry-on baggage A shipping container with foam packing is supplied as standard equipment with all DS-1000 curve tracers. Daystar strongly recommends using this case anytime the DS-1000 is shipped. DS-Tracer Fuses The DS-Tracer has two externally accessible fuses. The first of the external fuses is located in the AC input power receptacle. -
Page 28: Pre-Charge Precautions
26 Pre-Charge Precautions DS-1000 Operating Manual 5.0 Pre-Charge Precautions In order to compensate for voltage drops across the test lead, the DS-Tracer pre- charges the capacitive load to approximately -15 V. When an I-V curve is taken, the PV module voltage starts at -15 V and increase to V . -
Page 29: Ds-1000 Additional Capabilities
Irradiance Connections There are two dual, 5-way binding posts for pyranometer inputs located on the front panel of the DS-1000. These inputs can accommodate ± 5 V signals and accurately measure millivolt signals. These inputs can be used for any analog voltage measurement within the range of the DS-1000. -
Page 30: Aux Input Connections
These inputs accommodate ± 5 V signals and accurately measure millivolt signals. These inputs can be used for any analog voltage measurement within the range of the DS-1000. Refer to “Appendix C - DS-1000 Technical Specifications” for details on measurement ranges. -
Page 31: Multiple Current Ranges
The DS-1000 uses a significantly different command set then previous Daystar I- V tracers. Daystar strongly recommends using the latest command set. However, the DS-1000 has legacy support for the older command set, should the user need to use the DS-1000 in a system already using the older commands. -
Page 32: Troubleshooting
page 30 Troubleshooting DS-100C Operating Manual 7.0 Troubleshooting • Data is not plotted after taking an I-V curve. Proper connection has not been made to PV system. • I-V curve is flat. PV short circuit current exceeds selected current range (check current range setting). -
Page 33: Appendix Ads-Tracer Error Codes
DS-1000 Operating Manual Error Codes page A31 Appendix A DS-Tracer ERROR CODES ERROR “I/O ERROR” RS-232 serial communications error. Baud rate, parity, number of data bits, or number of stop bits is incorrect. DS-Tracer uses 9600 baud, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit. - Page 34 A32 Error Codes DS-1000 Operating Manual ERROR “INVALID NUMERIC PARAMETER” Parameter must represent valid numeric value. ERROR “UNKNOWN ERROR” Some type of unknown error has occurred. Check parameters for proper syntax.
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Page 35: Appendix Bds-1000 Usb Drivers
Note: If a conventional RS-232 COM port is available, there is no advantage to using the DS-1000 USB port and it is not necessary to install these USB drivers. However, many notebook computers do not have COM ports, and therefore it is... - Page 36 B34 DS-1000 USB Drivers DS-1000 Operating Manual The DS-1000 USB drivers are located on the IVPC CD-ROM supplied with the tracer in the DS-1000 USB Drivers folder. This folder contains detailed instructions on how to install the drivers. Note: These instructions are not specific to the DS-1000 and were provided by the USB hardware manufacturer.
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Page 37: Appendix C - Ds-1000 Technical Specifications
DS-1000 Operating Manual Technical Specification page C35 Appendix C - DS-1000 Technical Specifications Measurement Accuracy PV Voltage Accuracy Range Error @ 25 C Error 0-50 C Resolution 1000 V ± 0.4 V (.4 V) ± 0.01% (0.1%) ± 0.4 V (.4 V) ± 0.05% (0.2%) -
Page 38: General Specifications
C36 Technical Specification DS-1000 Operating Manual General Specifications Power 85 Vac to 264 Vac 50/60 Hz Battery 5 A-Hr, sealed lead acid (EnerSys #0809-0020) Hours of Use Up to 12 Hrs on full battery charge Charge Time Less than 8 hours Size 46 cm x 36 cm x 20 cm (18”...
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