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Alencon Point of Data Distribution -
PODD
Communication device that provides user interaction for controlling and
monitoring alternative energy assets and helps generate more energy
from a PV or energy storage installation
I
, O
M
M
NSTALLATION
PERATION AND
AINTENANCE
ANUAL
PODD D
FOR THE
EVICE
PM005 Revision 5
Alencon Systems LLC
330 Warminster Rd., Suite 380 | Hatboro, PA 19040 | USA
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Table of Contents
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Summary of Contents for ALENCON PODD
- Page 1 Alencon Point of Data Distribution - PODD Communication device that provides user interaction for controlling and monitoring alternative energy assets and helps generate more energy from a PV or energy storage installation NSTALLATION PERATION AND AINTENANCE ANUAL PODD D FOR THE...
- Page 2 PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual © 2009-2019 by Alencon Systems LLC This document is the confidential and proprietary information of Alencon Systems LLC. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means whether electronic, mechanical, or otherwise without prior written permission.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
PODD Site ..........................10 PoE Supply Kit ......................... 11 RJ45 Termination Dongle ......................11 Wifi Access Point – Only for use with a Multi PODD wireless configuration ......11 Customized Communication Package – Dependent on System Implementation ...... 12 Ordering Information ........................ 12 Alencon Communication Environement (ACE) ................. - Page 4 10.5.2 Command Selection ......................29 10.6 Config Tab ..........................31 10.6.1 Steps to Send a Configuration File to the Alencon Device ..........31 10.7 Firmware Update Tab ......................33 10.7.1 Steps to Update Firmware on Your Alencon Device ............33 10.7.2...
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Page 5: Table Of Figures
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 2 Table of Figures 1: S PODD D ..............................10 IGURE INGLE EVICE 2: PODD S ..............................10 IGURE 3: P PODD ......................... 11 IGURE UPPLY IT FOR USE WITH 4: RJ45 T ............................ -
Page 6: General Information
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 3 General Information All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of material provided in this document at the time of release. Items are subject to continuous development and improvements. All specifications and descriptions are subject to change without notice. -
Page 7: Glossary
A full communication system (including hardware and firmware) designed by Alencon to control power conversion equipment. Configurations: Single PODD: One PODD, directly connected to a network of wired Alencon hardware, running the user interface Multi PODD: A centralized PODD running the user... -
Page 8: Product Warranty
For out-of- warranty repairs, you will be billed according to the cost of replacement materials, service time and freight. Please consult Alencon Systems for more details. If you think you have a defective product, follow these steps: 1. -
Page 9: Technical Support And Assistance
Alencon Systems technical support if you need additional assistance. Please have the following information ready before you call: 1. Product name, serial number (label can be found on the PODD enclosure) 2. Description of your peripheral attachments including fusing and cables 3.5 Warnings, Cautions and Notes... -
Page 10: Podd Kit: Component Parts
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 4 PODD Kit: Component Parts Alencon will provide a packing list with your shipment. Please make sure to check the packing list matches your order and the items received. Every ACE purchase will include the following components: 4.1 PODD Device –... -
Page 11: Poe Supply Kit
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 4.3 PoE Supply Kit A PoE injection dongle and DC power supply for powering the PODD device. More information on how to use can be found in section 7.5.2. Figure 3: PoE Supply Kit for use with PODD 4.4 RJ45 Termination Dongle... -
Page 12: Customized Communication Package - Dependent On System Implementation
7.4.1. 5.1 Single PODD In this configuration, a single PODD is connected to a string of Alencon devices which will supply power and transmit data to the PODD using Modbus RTU. The PODD will also be connected to a local area network and provide a user interface to communicate with the Alencon devices directly. -
Page 13: Multi Podd
PODD over Wifi or wired ethernet. Each distributed PODD collects data from their specific string of Alencon devices and forwards the data to the centralized PODD. The centralized PODD then combines all device data and displays a field level view on the PODD site user interface. -
Page 14: Podd Applications
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 6 PODD Applications The PODD is ideal for commercial or utility scale photovoltaic (PV) systems that have Alencon power conversion devices including the SPOT, BOSS, and/or GARD. This section details how each of Alencon’s devices can be connected over a network using the PODD. -
Page 15: Boss System
Alencon’s Bi-Directional DC-DC Optimizer for Storage Systems (BOSS) controls the charge and discharge of individual battery racks with a galvanically isolated approach. BOSSs are generally co-located and easily daisy chained to a PODD. An example BOSS system architecture using a Single PODD configuration is shown in Figure 10. -
Page 16: Podd Installation
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 7 PODD Installation This section provides information on how to install a PODD in the field and access the PODD site user interface. 7.1 Installation Options Single PODD A single PODD is installed at one end of a daisy chained RS-485 network. The total length of the cabling should not exceed 100 meters. -
Page 17: Mounting Procedure
Figure 11: Hook shaped PODD mounting bracket on Unistrut© support 2. Next, align the bottom mounting holes on the PODD bracket with the bottom channel and struct channel nuts. Figure 12: Struct channel nuts alignment with PODD mounting bracket... -
Page 18: Gounding
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 3. Finally, secure the PODD in place by placing the screws into the stuct channel nuts. Figure 13: Screw placement in struct channel nuts 7.3 Gounding The external ground lug is found next to the three RJ45 connectors on the bottom of the PODD. -
Page 19: Wiring
Connect the RJ45 termination dongle to the final Alencon device on the Modbus RTU daisy chain. For Wired: Connect a cable between the WAN port on the PODD and a nearby Ethernet switch. For wireless: Connect the purchased antenna to the adapter on top of the PODD. -
Page 20: Podd Connectors
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 7.4.3 PODD Connectors Each PODD has three ports which are labeled on the bottom of the front mounting plate. To connect a cable to any of these ports: 1. Remove the water proof cap and grommet. -
Page 21: Indicator Led
(via a Cat5e or better cable) to the WAN port of the PODD. The PODD will take a couple minutes to boot up and the LED indicator will turn green when ready. -
Page 22: Establishing A Network Connection
PODD will be moved around and not be mounted to a specific row of Alencon Devices. To establish a connection with a mobile laptop, connect the PODD’s WAN port to the Ethernet port of the laptop. The next step is to find the IP address of the PODD through the PC: 1. - Page 23 PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 2. Locate the serial number of the PODD from its physical label. Look at the last four digits of the serial number and try to ping the PODD through the following command: ‘ping -4 PODD-xxxx’ where the ‘xxxx’ will be the last four digits of its serial number.
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Page 24: Maintenance And Servicing
PODD or PODD-Site UI. To reset the PODD, follow the label and run a magnet down the right side of the PODD enclosure from position 1 to 2. The status LED will turn off to indicate a system reboot is occurring. -
Page 25: Mechanical Drawings
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 9 Mechanical Drawings Figure 23: Mechanical Dimensions of the PODD A l e n c o n S y s t e m s L L C - P a g e | 25... - Page 26 PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual Figure 24: Mechanical Dimensions of mounting bracket A l e n c o n S y s t e m s L L C - P a g e | 26...
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Page 27: Podd Site
Modbus TCP Server 10.2 Version This manual is meant for use with PODD Site Version 18 and newer. You can always see the version you are using from the Home screen: Figure 25: PODD Site Home Screen, Firmware Version Highlighted 10.3 Accessing the PODD Site... -
Page 28: Podd Site Features
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 10.4 PODD Site Features The PODD Site has seven tabs, that can be accessed by clicking on their name along the tab bar at the top of the page: 1. Home 2. Alencon Devices 3. -
Page 29: Alencon Devices Tab
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 10.5 Alencon Devices Tab The Alencon Devices tab provides a list view of the Alencon Devices connected to the PODD in the field and their individual DCDC data. The Alencon Devices can be controlled as a field set (Field Broadcast) or independently using commands from the Device Command drop-down menu in the Alencon Devices tab. - Page 30 PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual Figure 28: PODD Site, Device Command Options 1. System Reset – Restarts the Alencon Device and enables Run if in the Shutdown state. 2. Shutdown – Disables power production. The Alencon Device or DCDC must receive a System Reset command to enable Run.
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Page 31: Config Tab
Device. A configuration files is provided to the user in a ‘.factory’ file and it comes pre- loaded on the Alencon Device – i.e. SPOT, BOSS or PODD. This file contains specific parameters for your deployment of Alencon devices. Do not edit these parameters unless asked to do so by Alencon personnel. - Page 32 (only do this if instructed to do so by Alencon). Figure 32: PODD Site, Configuration Tab – Config Data 4. The final step is to send the loaded configuration to the Alencon Device. To do so, click <Write Config>.
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Page 33: Firmware Update Tab
Alencon may release newer firmware versions that fix bugs or add new features. Please follow the below instructions carefully to update your Alencon devices. You will be provided with a set of files required to update the firmware on your Alencon device if need. Alencon recommends that you upgrade all processors and all devices in a field with the same firmware version to ensure compatibility within and between devices. -
Page 34: Error Or Stall Recovery Process
1. Click <Abort Update on HUB> 2. Copy the SPOT and Firmware LOG Messages to text editor such as Notepad, save, and send to Alencon. This will help diagnose the failure. 3. Click <Reset Update State on Device> 4. Retry the update. Contact Alencon if the update fails again. -
Page 35: Podd Update
2. Click <Update PODD> and watch for the progress messages in the device log 3. After the update completes 100%, wait for the PODD to reboot fully 4. Refresh the PODD Site and see the new firmware version verified at the bottom of the webpage Figure 38: PODD Site –... -
Page 36: Log Record Management
This process can take a couple of minutes if the query is large. Please be patient. It is typically unnecessary to delete records unless instructed to do so by an Alencon representative. The PODD Site internally limits the physical size of the database and the age of all records. -
Page 37: Setting A Static Ip Address
When a networked Alencon device is replaced the associated GUID to LIN and Modbus Address mapping on the PODD Site must be updated. The mapping is stored in the Metadata .csv file. Alencon personnel will provide you a new Metadata file corresponding with the replaced device. -
Page 38: Dcdc Emulator
PODD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual 11 DCDC Emulator For those who wish to use the PODD device in advance of connecting peripheral Alencon devices, an emulator can be installed on the PODD for that purpose. 11.1 DCDC Emulator Functionality...
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