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National Semiconductor SolarMagic User Manual

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SolarMagic
Weather Station
TM
User Guide

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Summary of Contents for National Semiconductor SolarMagic

  • Page 1 SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide...
  • Page 2 All the statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are believed to be accurate and reliable but National Semiconductor Corporation makes no representations or warranties with respect to accuracy or completeness of the contents of this User Guide.
  • Page 3 WARRANTY National Semiconductor Corporation (“Seller”) hereby warrants that the product for which this User Guide is written (the “Equipment”) will comply in all material respects with Seller’s published specification for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment. For any material breach of the foregoing warranty, Seller’s sole and exclusive obligation and buyer’s sole and exclusive remedy for breach of the foregoing warranty shall be, at...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Contents Contents Chapter 1 ....................Welcome 1.1 Important Safety Instructions .......................... 2 Chapter 2 ............About MYPVDATA® Services 2.1 System Manager Overview ..........................5 Chapter 3 ....................Planning 3.1 Enclosure ................................6 3.2 Sensors Overview ............................. 7 3.3 Solar Irradiation Sensor ............................ 8 3.4 Wind Speed Sensor ............................
  • Page 6 National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide Appendix A ................. Reference Diagrams...

  • Page 7: Chapter 1

    Chapter 1 • Welcome Chapter 1 Welcome ongratulations on your purchase of the SolarMagic weather station. This instrument has been quality tested and approved for providing accurate and reliable measurements. We are confident that you will find the weather station to be a valuable asset for your application.

  • Page 8: Important Safety Instructions

    National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide 1.1 Important Safety Instructions This manual contains important safety instructions that should be followed during the installation and maintenance of this product. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, and to ensure the safe installation...
  • Page 9 Do not install or handle the SolarMagic DC Monitoring Combiner Box if it is wet or raining. CAUTION: Call if there is Damage Contact us if the SolarMagic DC Monitoring Combiner Box enclosure is damaged or if its contents are compromised.

  • Page 10: Chapter 2

    YPVDATA services is the web portal that provides access to your SolarMagic system manager data. MYPVDATA services are provided and hosted by National Semiconductor. With focus on solar energy systems, National Semiconductor is the leading provider of monitoring and management solutions for photovoltaic (PV) systems. National Semiconductor recognizes the importance of monitoring PV systems beyond just solar energy production data.

  • Page 11: System Manager Overview

    Chapter 2 • About MYPVDATA® Services 2.1 System Manager Overview The SolarMagic system manager is a lightweight Internet gateway and data logger solution for remote data acquisition, which enables PV system owners to benefit from advanced energy reports. The data...

  • Page 12: Chapter 3

    National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide Chapter 3 Planning 3.1 Enclosure The SolarMagic weather station is housed in a painted galvanized steel enclosure, suitable for outdoor mounting, type NEMA 4x. The enclosure measures 10H x 8W x 4D.

  • Page 13: Sensors Overview

    All SolarMagic weather station weather sensors produce a 4–20mA output signal. 4–20mA is an industrial standard signal for process control monitoring. Most PLCs (Programmable Logic Controller) and data acquisition systems accept this signal directly.

  • Page 14: Solar Irradiation Sensor

    National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide NOTE: Sensor Cable Length Most sensors are shipped with a 25ft sensor lead cable. Make sure that the sensor cables will reach. The sensor lead wires can be extended to a maximum length of 400ft if stranded #22AWG or larger wires are used.

  • Page 15: Wind Speed Sensor

    Chapter 3 • Planning Operating Voltage: 10–36VDC • Current Draw: Same as sensor output • Warm Up Time: 3 seconds minimum • Operating Temperature: –40°C to 55°C • Size of Probe: 3" diameter × 1.5" high • Weight: 0.25lb • 3.4 Wind Speed Sensor The wind speed sensor or anemometer produces a sine wave voltage signal with a frequency that changes linearly with the wind speed.
  • Page 16 National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide Figure 3-4. Wind Direction Sensor 3.5.2 Wind Direction Sensor Specifications Output: 4–20mA • Range: 0 to 360° (352° electrical, 8° open) • Accuracy: 1% of full scale • Operating Voltage: 10–36VDC •...

  • Page 17: Ambient Temperature Sensor

    Chapter 3 • Planning Figure 3-5. Solar Shield The shield comes with a stainless steel elbow that can be mounted on a 1” OD diameter tube. For best results ensure that the shield is mounted vertically. Size: 4” diameter × 8 ½” long, •...

  • Page 18: Pv Cell Temperature Sensor

    National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide 3.7 PV Cell Temperature Sensor The PV Cell Temperature Sensor temperature sensor measures the temperature of the aluminum heat sink located on the face. Figure 3-6. PV Cell Temperature Sensor 3.7.2 PV Cell Temperature Sensor Specifications Sensor Type: 100 Ohm Platinum Class A RTD •...

  • Page 19: Communication Module

    The modules can be remotely controlled using a set of commands, the Modbus RTU protocol. Communication between the module and the SolarMagic Internet gateway / data logger is via Modbus RTU over 2-wire RS-485 twisted pair. The weather station module is set to 9600 baud in manufacturing for a more robust communications network, and typically Modbus address 2.
  • Page 20 National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide Resolution: 16-bit • Sample rate: Maximum 10 samples/second • Bandwidth: 15.7Hz • Accuracy: 0.1% • Isolation: 3000VDC • Indication LED Light For Power and Communication • Communication: RS-485, Modbus RTU Protocol •...

  • Page 21: Chapter 4

    Chapter 4 • Installation Chapter 4 Installation 4.1 Standard Version 4.1.1 Installing the SolarMagic Weather Station Enclosure Mount the weather station enclosure out of direct sunlight in a location where it will not be exposed to continuous water flow, snow and ice build-up, and/or areas of extreme temperature.
  • Page 22 National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide Mount the base or mast for the weather station to a secure surface and install guy wires if possible. It is very important to ground the mast or base station for proper safety.
  • Page 23 Chapter 4 • Installation Figure 4-1. Strain Relief Connector NOTE: After drilling through a powder coated enclosure, apply an anticorrosive solution to reduce risk of corrosion. Allow the anticorrosive solution to adequately dry before installing the strain relief connector. Be sure to completely remove all metal filings from the interior and exterior of the enclosure using a vaccum cleaner and/or brush.
  • Page 24 National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide To measure the module or array irradiation, ensure that the sensor is placed on a level surface, use the alignment bolts to adjust the sensor until it is level. Once the leveling alignment bolts are adjusted and tightened then the irradiation sensor can be mounted at the same angle and orientation as the PV modules.
  • Page 25 1” outside diameter tube. For best results ensure that the sensor is mounted parallel to the ground surface located over open level terrain. National Semiconductor recommends the wind direction sensor be installed near the wind speed sensor.
  • Page 26 National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide CAUTION: Do not install the PV cell temperature sensor in direct sunlight. Choose a PV module that will accurately model the average of the panel temperature. Keep in mind that most PV modules on the edge of an array are cooler because they have more air movement.

  • Page 27: Chapter 5

    Chapter 5 • Commissioning Chapter 5 Commissioning 5.1 Powering Up After all connections have been made, check the polarity of all wires and connections to verify they are secured in the terminals and the terminal screws are tight and connected to the proper terminals. If the polarity of the wires is not correct, or they are connected to the wrong terminals, you will not get weather data and may damage the sensors or the communications module.

  • Page 28: Chapter 6

    National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide Chapter 6 Maintenance The weather station sensors should be cleaned periodically. Sensors can be cleaned using a damp cotton cloth. NOTE: Do not submerge sensors The sensors are water resistant, not waterproof.
  • Page 29 Chapter 6 • Maintenance Fill a container of water with enough ice that it will not melt quickly. Place the temperature sensor and thermometer into the container. Turn on the power supply and the current meter. Let the sensor stabilize for 30 minutes before taking any measurements. Record the ice bath temperature, T = _______, and record the output current of the sensor, I...

  • Page 30: Chapter 7

    National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide Chapter 7 Troubleshooting Sensor reading incorrectly Verify power source is supplying correct voltage. Clean the sensor. Confirm the sensor’s calibration. Confirm the sensor is connected to the proper terminals. 7.1 Technical Support For most efficient technical support please e-mail National Semiconductor for technical support: support@solarmagic.com.
  • Page 31 Include a written statement describing the problem(s). • Insure your shipment; the warranty does not cover damage • incurred during transit. Send the package with shipping prepaid to our address at: • National Semiconductor 3875 Kifer Rd Santa Clara, Ca 95051...
  • Page 33 Appendix A • Reference Diagrams Appendix A Reference Diagrams...
  • Page 34 National Semiconductor • SolarMagic Weather Station User Guide A.1.1 Sensor Terminal Blocks...
  • Page 35 Appendix A • Reference Diagrams A.1.2 Communications/Power Terminal Block...
  • Page 36 © 2010 National Semiconductor Corporation. National Semiconductor is a registered trademark and SolarMagic is a trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation. All rights reserved. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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