enphase IQ8 Manual

Introduction to remote metering

This document introduces remote metering to customer site installations where there is a need to measure voltage or power at the main meter panel to meet requirements of IEEE-1547 2018, or other installer convenience.
The Enphase Commercial PV System is compatible with 3^rd party revenue grade energy meters that conform to the SunSpec Modbus protocol over TCP. Note that utilities, such as the California Energy Commission, may have an approved meter list: https://solarequipment.energy.ca.gov/Home/MeterList.
This document focuses on remote metering for a single gateway PV system with less than 276 IQ8P-3P Microinverters.
Installers are responsible for procuring compatible meters and the CTs. Enphase recommends the following remote meter, which was tested and validated for compatibility: Measurlogic DTS-310.
When used with an Enphase Energy System, the remote meter is assumed to measure at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC), immediately after the utility meter.
NOTE: We recommend ordering the meters and CTs in advance to avoid shipping delays.

When is remote metering needed

Remote metering is needed for the following use cases.

Presence of transformer

The IQ Gateway has an internal consumption meter measuring the same voltage as the PV network (120/208 Y). If the utility service is different (and a transformer is used on the site to connect the PV system), a remote meter is necessary to monitor the PCC.

PCC service rating is larger than 600 A

The consumption transformers (CTs) compatible with the IQ Gateway are rated for 600 A maximum. Larger service requires a remote meter and higher-rated CTs or Rogowski coils.

PCC location is far from the IQ Gateway

It may be convenient or cost-effective to place the PV system somewhere it is not adjacent to the grid interconnect. Placing a remote meter near the PCC and running an Ethernet cable to the IQ Gateway may be easier and less expensive and result in more accurate measurements than extending CT connections the same distance.

Adding remote metering to an Enphase Energy System

Enphase supports SunSpec Modbus TCP meters over Ethernet. The connection between the remote meter and the IQ Gateway Commercial 2 will be through the Ethernet port. Note that this consumes the IQ Gateway's Ethernet port, so, internet connectivity will go through Wi-Fi or a USB cellular modem. Enphase does not recommend placing the meter on a shared external network. It is possible to create a private subnet for the IQ Gateway Commercial 2 and remote meter while maintaining internet access over Ethernet, but that is beyond the scope of this document.

Remote metering connection diagram

Enphase recommends connecting the remote meter directly to the IQ Gateway over Ethernet and using either a Wi-Fi or USB cellular modem for internet connectivity. Following is the remote meter connection diagram.

Remote meter IP configuration

The following instructions demonstrate how to configure and connect a Measurlogic DTS 310 TCP meter to the Enphase system. The following software packages are required to configure Measurlogic meters. They are available for download at the Measurlogic website: https://www.measurlogic.com/software-drivers/.

• DTS Toolbox, version 1.01aA or later
• DTS Config, version 1.48.0.295 or later

If using other meters, refer to the specific manufacturer's documentation for configuration instructions.

Connecting the remote meter to a computer

The Measurlogic DTS 310 Ethernet meter will ship with a static IP address of 192.168.1.150. To connect it directly to the IQ Gateway, the meter's static IP address must be updated to 169.254.1.150. A separate computer will be used to set up the meter by configuring its network and measurement settings.
Use an Ethernet cable to connect the DTS 310 directly to a computer. These instructions assume a Windows 10 or 11 computer.

Update the IP settings of the remote meter

Using Measurlogic's DTS Toolbox, you can view and change the meter's IP settings even if the computer is not on the same subnet.
With the meter cabled directly to the computer, open the DTS Toolbox. It will scan for and list visible meters. As the new meter starts on the 192.168.xxx.xxx subnet and the computer's direct connection should default to 169.254.xxx.xxx, the "CONNECTIVITY" indicator will be blue instead of green. Click the Gear icon on the right to configure the settings.

From the new popup window, select Network Settings.

In the Device Network Settings, update the IP Address to 169.254.1.150, Netmask to 255.255.0.0, and Default Gateway to 169.254.1.150, as shown. Select Update IP Settings.

When prompted, select Change and restart.

After a few seconds, the DTS Toolbox will lose connectivity with the meter as it changes its IP address.

After a few more seconds, DTS will detect the meter at a new automatically assigned address but does not reflect the static address we just assigned.

The Ethernet connection needs to be reset for the new address to take effect. Unplug the Ethernet cable from the computer. After a few seconds, the DTS Toolbox will indicate a lost connection to the meter.

Continue to wait and DTS Toolbox will clear the devices list.

Plug the Ethernet cable from the meter back into the computer. DTS Toolbox will detect the meter at its properly assigned IP address.

You can now close the DTS Toolbox.

Connect and configure remote meter

Use Measurlogic's DTS Config to set the measurement parameters of the meter. Within DTS Config, select Connect and enter the meter's IP address (169.254.1.150).

Once connected, select Configure to bring up the CT and topology options.

Click Show Advanced Electrical Settings.

If you are using CTs, enter the full-scale current rating. If you are using Rogowski coils, enter the fullscale current and select the appropriate current sensor.
For 3-phase Wye and Delta systems, leave the Wiring Topology as "3-Phase 3/4-Wire WYE (ABC&n)". When complete, click Apply Changes. You can return to the Monitor screen to confirm the measurements.
After the meter is configured. Close DTS Config. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the meter and computer and connect the meter to the IQ Gateway. Configuration will continue in the Enphase Installer App.

Remote meter configuration (Enphase Installer App)

Within the Enphase Installer App, when adding devices, specify the quantity of remote meter as 1.

In step 2 of the Enphase Installer App, please enter the details of the remote meter.
Select Remote Meter Connection Type as Ethernet.
Enter "169.254.1.150" as the IP address.
Leave the Modbus ID at 100 for the Measurlogic DTS 310 meter.
Select the configuration of the incoming electrical grid where the meter is connected.
If there is a transformer between the grid and the PV system, select its configuration.

After provisioning is completed, during the remote meter validation, the system performs checks for voltage, load, polarity, phase wiring, CT installation, and connection, as applicable, for Wye (STAR) or Delta (DELTA) configurations. These checks ensure accurate meter readings and proper system setup. If any issues arise, troubleshooting information is provided directly within the app.

Remote meter metrics visualization in Enphase Installer Portal

Located at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC), the remote meter measurements represent the net consumption of the site. Like standard consumption metering, aggregate power flow is visible in the Enphase Installer Portal Live Status, System View, Graphs, and Reports.

Troubleshooting

The remote meter is not visible to a connected computer
Use the Measurlogic DTS Toolbox to identify, connect to, and update the network configuration of the DTS 310 meter.

Remote meter is not visible when selected in the Enphase Installer App
Confirm that the remote meter has been assigned with an IP address of 169.254.1.150 and that the remote meter is connected directly to the IQ Gateway's Ethernet port.
If you are configuring the remote meter and IQ Gateway on a larger Ethernet network, they must both be assigned addresses in the same subnet. Refer to your network administrator for the network address assignments.

Automatic remote meter validation is not able to run
The meter validation routines depend on applying controlled PV production on each phase and correlating resulting power measurements between the production meter and the remote meter. These results can be impacted by changes in load on the site. If the ambient load on the site is large compared to the production capability of the PV system, the validation routine may not be reliable. If possible, remove large loads from the site before attempting the validation step. It is possible to enable the remote meter without the automatic validation step, but connections would have to be visually checked and phase association between the meters may be difficult to confirm.
Meter validation must be run during daylight hours to achieve sufficient production to be reliably detected and differentiated from dynamic loads.

Revision history

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