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EKO MP-170 Operation Manual

Portable i-v curve tracer
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P o r t a b l e I - V c u r v e t r a c e r
I-V C h e c ke r
M P - 1 7 0
O p e ra t i o n M a n u a l
Conforms to CE marking
April 2008
EKO Instruments Co., Ltd.

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Summary of Contents for EKO MP-170

  • Page 1 P o r t a b l e I - V c u r v e t r a c e r I-V C h e c ke r M P - 1 7 0 O p e ra t i o n M a n u a l Conforms to CE marking April 2008 EKO Instruments Co., Ltd.

  • Page 2: Safety Precautions

    1. Safety Precautions The products of EKO Instruments Co., Ltd. are designed and manufactured with consideration of safety; however, unexpected accident may occur depending on the way it is used. Therefore please thoroughly read this manual and operate the system correctly by following this manual.
  • Page 3 - Turn off the power of MP-170 immediately when you notice any smoke or abnormal odor occurring from MP-170. - Do not use MP-170 in places where it is exposed to vibrations, impact shock, high humidity, dust, sudden temperature changes and/or near any object which has strong magnetic or electric fields.
  • Page 4 MP-170. Otherwise EKO does not take responsibilities for any damage or problem occurrences, even if MP-170 is in the 1 year guarantee period. Cautions < about operation manual > - Before operating MP-170, thoroughly read and understand this manual.
  • Page 6 Index Safety Precautions Important User Information – CE Marking Index Outline of MP-170 Name and function of each part Setting up Operation Software Maintenance Troubleshooting Specifications...
  • Page 7 EKO’s long experiences in PV measurement. MP-170 consists of the Main unit and the Sensor unit. The Main unit is not only capable of taking measurement, showing graph, and analyzing data by key pad operation, it can also transfer the measured data to the PC by connecting with USB and analyze data on the PC by using the MP-170 software.
  • Page 8 I-V curve, which is useful for diagnosis of PV module/array failure. - MP-170 is designed with assumption for wide range of measurement as the concept. As the result, it is possible to measure wide range such as voltage: 10V ~ 1000V, current: 1A~20A, power: 10W~10kW.
  • Page 9 3-3. Characteristics Portable Having the “portable” concept in mind, MP-170 is designed with emphasis on the user-friendliness and the safety in the field measurement. The Main unit case is made of resin, which is isolated from electricity, for safety. The unit is designed as one-unit case, which can store the Sensor unit, cables, and so on for carrying convenience.

  • Page 10: System Configuration

    3) External pyranometer 4) Reference cell Pyranometer RS-485 - Sensor unit can be operated with / without MP-170 Main unit. - MP-170 can be operated with / without PC. - Battery and AC adapter are available. Sensor unit Battery box...
  • Page 11 4. Name and function of each part 4-1. MP-170 package 1) Top cover (can be removed by sliding the cove to the right.) 2) Front panel 3) LCD 4) PV-Cable (Red, +) 5) PV-Cable (Black, -) 6) Rear panel 7) Key pad...

  • Page 12: Front Panel

    4-2. MP-170 Front panel 1) Strap hooks (on the left and right side to hook the shoulder straps) 2) Latch button (lift the top cover as pushing this button to open) 3) Carrying handle (place your hand here to carry the Main unit)

  • Page 13: Battery Box

    4-3. Battery box Setting batteries By unscrewing 4-white screws at the bottom side corners of the battery box, the box can be opened. NOTE Top side Check the directions (polarity, +/-) of batteries Remove batteries when it is not in use for a long time Batteries D size, 4 pcs...
  • Page 14 Terminal block assignment Ref. Pyrano Temp1 Temp2 : Reference cell input (100mA, Internal 0.1 shunt resistance) Pyrano : Pyranometer input (15mV) Temp1 : T-Thermocouple input, Used for PV module back side temperature and STC conversion Temp2 : T-Thermocouple input, Recorded into data. Normally use for air temperature * To use EXTERNAL pyranometer or reference cell, the Reference sensor selector is switched to EXT.

  • Page 15: The Main Unit

    I-V curve measurement. Arrange the connection or inverter settings, MP-170 can measure the PV array/module output only. I-V curve measurement with working inverter/conditioner may cause alarm or defect of MP-170, inverter or conditioner. PV module/array Inverter etc MP-170 * NOTE * Use MP-170 within the following range.
  • Page 16 1) The Main unit Connections a) Battery box Connect the DC plug of the Battery box to the Battery power input. b) PV-cables Insert PV-cables into PV inputs. +: Red -: Black Gator grips of PV cables are connected to PV DC outputs. c) The Sensor unit Connect the Main unit and the Sensor unit by the modular cable.
  • Page 17 5-2. Sensor unit settings 1) Sensor unit Level Angle capturer Dome Built-in Si-pyranometer Angle screen Angle adjusting screw Base plate Power switch The Sensor unit is data logging device to record the output from the built-in Si- pyranometer, T-type thermocouples and external pyranometer or reference cell. The unit has the Angle capturer to find the angle and direction of PV module/array.
  • Page 18 unit can be transferred on the Main unit in real time. 3. Remove the Angle Capturer from the Sensor unit. 4. Place the Angle Capturer on the target PV module/array. 5. Check the position of the 3 markers on the radial angle scale in the Angle Capturer dome.

  • Page 19: Operation

    6. Operation 6-1. Key pad DATA MEASURE CONFIG POWER Up/Down Numerical Enter Return keypad POWER : Main power switch of the Main unit Power ON - Press the power switch Power OFF - Keep pressing Power switch for 5 seconds. CONFIG : Manage measurement settings DATA...
  • Page 20 6-2. Starting MP-170 1) Connect the Main unit and the Sensor unit with modular cable. 2) Power ON the sensor unit After power on the sensor unit, the Green LED will light for a few seconds and then start blinking once a second 3) Power ON the Main unit Start screen appears on the LCD display.
  • Page 21 4) Start Screen After turning on the Main unit, see whether the Sensor unit is connected with the Main unit through modular cable. The warning message “Powering on Sensor Unit” will show if it is not connected with the modular cable or not communicating through the modular cable.
  • Page 22 *When taking measurements of large capacity PV arrays, wait at least 1 minute for taking next measurement; rising of the internal temperature may shorten the life of the device. After confirming the connection, press MEASURE and MP-170 starts measurement. * NOTE *...

  • Page 23: Range Settings

    Result screen By pressing ENTER, the screen changes I I I I 1 I-V (x-axis: Voltage [V], y-axis: Current [A]) 2 P-V (x-axis: Voltage [V], y-axis: Power [W] 3 dI/dV-V (x-axis: Voltage [V], y-axis: Differential V V V V of I-V curve) Measurement information Measured parameters 1 Measured parameters 2...

  • Page 24: Parameter Editing

    *Auto range takes the measurement after the appropriate range is determined from the pre-measurement; therefore, it takes longer time than manual measurement. Parameter settings By pressing MEAS PAR, the “Parameter menu” screen appears. There are following options given on the Parameter menu screen. MEAS PAR MEAS PAR MEAS PAR...
  • Page 25 range. After entering range values, press the ENTER key and the setup parameter will be saved. (*In this case of parameter setting is only a temporary and will not be saved in the parameter list.) Parameter setting flow Select a parameter 01 PARAMETER EDIT Use the Main unit USE SENSOR UNIT...
  • Page 26 Each Parameter setting screen Contents 01 PARAMETER EDIT USE SENSOR UNIT -> Using Sensor Unit USE SENSOR UNIT MAIN UNIT ONLY -> Using only Main Unit MAIN UNIT ONLY Sensor Unit selection YES -> Set solar irradiance and 01 PARAMETER EDIT temperature manually Set Irr &...
  • Page 27 - Voltage Range -> Voltage range Setting 01 PARAMETER 1/2 Name EKOTEST1 Voltage Range AUTO - Current Range -> Current range setting Current Range AUTO Sensor PYR 7.00 mV/kW m - Sensor -> Select pyranometer or reference cell Range and pyranometer PYR: Pyranometer REF: Reference cell - Cal ->...
  • Page 28 *Long period of AUTO MEASUREMENT cannot be performed (limited up to 1 day). IV curve of each measurement is displayed AUTO MEASUREMENT AUTO MEASUREMENT AUTO MEASUREMENT AUTO MEASUREMENT on the LCD. * NOTE * MP-170 sets an appropriate range after pre-measurement in auto measurement mode. takes longer time than manual measurement.

  • Page 29: System Menu

    LCD CONTRAST Adjust LCD contrast with the indicator by using L/R keys. HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH Download the sensor-unit data 1) Connect MP-170 and Sensor-unit with a modular LOADING LOADING SENSOR DATA LOADING LOADING SENSOR DATA SENSOR DATA SENSOR DATA cable.

  • Page 30: Data Display

    * NOTE * Download the Sensor unit data to the Main unit within the same day the measurement is taken. Even though the time information is included in the recorded data on the Sensor unit, there is no information for the year and date. If the data was downloaded after the date has changed, it is possible that either the data cannot be downloaded or download the data which has unmatched date information.
  • Page 31 001 EKO ROOF 001 EKO ROOF 001 EKO ROOF 001 EKO ROOF I-V curve Voltage[V] on X axis I I I I Current[A] on Y axis I-V curve graph shows the voltage and current V V V V characteristics of a PV battery in the condition of irradiance, air temp., and PV temp.
  • Page 32 Measurement information 001 EKO ROOF 001 EKO ROOF 001 EKO ROOF 001 EKO ROOF DATE: YYYY/MM/DD DATE: 2007/01/10 DATE: 2007/01/10 DATE: 2007/01/10 DATE: 2007/01/10 TIME: 12:10:00 TIME: 12:10:00 TIME: 12:10:00 TIME: 12:10:00 TIME: HH:MM:SS format Irradiance: 1000.00 W/m² Irradiance: [W/m²] Module temp.: 25.0 °C...
  • Page 33 3) Solar Irradiance vs. Parameters (Pm, Voc, Isc, FF) Graph Display If data is taken for multiple times in the same conditions on the same day by continuous measurement, select “Irr vs Parm Grph” from “Data menu” by using up/down keys will show the graph, which indicates the changes of the solar irradiance of the day selected against Pm, Voc, Isc, and FF.

  • Page 34: Software Installation

    7. Software This software is designated for I-V Checker MP-170. The data that is taken on the MP-170 Main unit can be downloaded, analyzed, and so on, on the PC. Also, measurement control from this software is possible. The measured data is converted into CSV format text data and can be processed with calculation software such as Excel.

  • Page 35: Usb Drivers

    The preparation for installation is complete. Clicking on NEXT (N) > will start the installation. Click < Back (B) for correcting the setting; click Cancel to cancel the installation process. As the installation starts, the indicator for the installation status is displayed. c.
  • Page 36 installation completion, click “Complete” button. 12) The USB Serial Converter driver installation is complete. Now continue to the installation of US Serial Port driver. USB Serial Port driver Installation 1) Once the USB Serial Converter driver has been installed, Windows shows “New hardware”...

  • Page 37: How To Uninstall The Software

    When operating the MP-170 using the MP-170 control program, please connect the PC and the MP-170 with USB cable before starting the program. Also, please disconnect the USB cable after the program is closed.

  • Page 38: Software Operation

    Always on Top : This window is always on top. Save Data : Save measurement data while this box is checked. Load : Loading the stored data from MP-170 to PC Stopping, Waiting and Measuring : Measurement status indicator Start : Start measuring...
  • Page 39 A) General - Measure When click on the General button, below dialog box is displayed. - COM port Select a COM port, from COM1 ~ COM4, to be used for MP-170. - Measuring Mode a. Manual: Press START every time for Manual measurement.
  • Page 40 Curve Correction Factor : 0.005 - Solar Modules Input the number of series and parallel connections (rows and lines) in the array construction. - Comments Use for the information of measurement - Download Download the existing set of parameters from MP-170.
  • Page 41 Upload the parameter which is setup on the software to the Main unit. The MP-170 takes measurement with the uploaded parameter; however, there is no function to save the uploaded parameter in the memory, thus please manage it on the PC itself.
  • Page 42 G) Start, Stop (Measurement) - Measure Connect PV probes to MP-170 main unit and turn on power switch. Attach the gator grips at the terminal of PV device. Be careful not to reverse the polarity. Connect USB cable between PC and MP-170 main unit.
  • Page 43 I) Load (Data loading from MP-170) - Measure Click “Load Data” after connecting MP-170 and PC with USB cable, and the saved data on MP-170 are transferred to PC. The counter number is shown while the data are loaded.
  • Page 44 *Even when the communication was thru once before, if the MP-170 was not used for a long period of time and tried to use it, the “COM Port upload Error” message may popup. Also, this may occur after the General Setting dialog box has been opened and modified.
  • Page 45 On the ”Graph" tab menu, select the measurement date first. Click the drop arrow on the right side of the date indication will display the calendar. When changing the years, move the mouse cursor on the top of the year indicator and left click.
  • Page 46 3) Save windows Click “Save” tab and the following window is shown. The functions for each button are described. Click to select the date Press here and all data are Press here selected. cancel from calendar. Measurement time Data list Select save Perform...
  • Page 47 The settings of daily trend graph displaying of 4 parameters The graph is displayed as relation between solar irradiance and each parameter. 1) Voc 2) Isc 3) Pmax 4) FF To view the graph, 1) Select data by specific date 2) Select target data by setting “Select checked”...

  • Page 48: Data Format

    7-5. Data format File name Measurement (raw) data yyyymmddhhmmssxxx.MDF Example: 20071215103510001.MDF Measurement in 2007, Dec. 15 at 10h35m10s Data sequence is #001 Data extension is MDF I-V curve converted data yyyymmddhhmmssxxx.CSV Example: 20071215103510001.CSV Measurement in 2007, Dec. 15 at 10h35m10s Data sequence is #001 Data extension is CSV PV parameters converted data...
  • Page 49 1) Data format – I-V curve converted data file (CSV format) Name TEST_1 Date 2006/12/22 Time 14:44:46 Temperature[degC] 13.513 Voltage Range[V] 1000 Current Range[A] Sampling Pitch[uS] Sensor Pyranometer Calibration Constant (Er cal)[mV/kW/m^2] PV Device Area[m^2] 0.78 Current Temp. Coef.[A/degC] 0.02 Voltage Temp.
  • Page 50 2) PV parameters converted data file (CSV format) By selecting “Convert by Specific Value” conversion, the following data is created. Data items (left to right in CSV format) Name Date Time Temperature[degC] Voltage Range[V] Current Range[A] Sampling Pitch[uS] Sensor Calibration Constant (Er cal)[mV/kW/m^2] PV Device Area[m^2] Current Temp.

  • Page 51: Maintenance

    - Adjust the clock of the Main unit and the Sensor unit before starting measurement. 8-2 Storing note - Remove batteries when MP-170 is not in use for a long time. - Store MP-170 in low humidity condition. 9. Trouble shooting 9-1.
  • Page 52 It is not broken. This condition occurs when large junction-capacitance PV devices, such as amorphous-Si and HIT, are measured. With the capacitor load method on MP-170 cannot avoid such problem; however, MP-170 obtains Isc from linear approximation which minimizes the rising curve.

  • Page 53: Specifications

    10. Specifications Item Content power Voltage - 10V ~ 1000V input range Current - 1A ~ 20A Power - 10W ~ 10kW Maximum input range - Power 10kW @500V and 20A, @1000V and 10A - Voltage 1000V @10A, 500V@20A - Current 20A @500V, 10A@1000V Measurement - Voltage: +/-1.0% FS or less (10V range)
  • Page 54 - Loading configuration parameter and data from the main body of MP-170 - Display of I-V curve, P-V curve, V-T curve, I-T curve, and dI/dV-V curve - Display of daily compiled graph of Solar Irradiance vs Pm, Voc, Isc...
  • Page 55 http://www.eko.co.jp/...

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