A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Product Information: PV Remote Unit A 1378
The PV Remote Unit A 1378 is a professional hand-held accessory
designed for temperature and solar irradiance measurements. It is
manufactured by METREL d.d. and meets the safety and
electromagnetic compatibility regulations of the European Union.
The device is trademarked with the trade names Metrel, Smartec,
Eurotest, Autosequence in Europe and other countries.
Table of Contents:
- Preface
- Safety and operational considerations
- Instrument description
- Instrument operation
- Measurements
- Saving of results and synchronization with the instrument
- Upgrading the instrument
- Maintenance
- Technical specifications
Safety and Operational Considerations:
The user manual includes important warnings and notes for safe
operation of the PV Remote Unit A 1378. The device is powered by a
battery which needs to be charged before usage. The standards
applied for this device are mentioned in the user manual.
Instrument Description:
The PV Remote Unit A 1378 is a hand-held device that measures
temperature and solar irradiance. The device has a function
selection and settings feature for accurate measurements.
Instrument Operation:
To operate the PV Remote Unit A 1378, select the desired
function and adjust the settings as required. The user manual
provides detailed instructions on how to select functions and
adjust settings.
Measurements:
The PV Remote Unit A 1378 measures temperature and solar
irradiance. The user manual provides detailed instructions on how
to take accurate measurements.
Saving of Results and Synchronization with the Instrument:
The PV Remote Unit A 1378 allows you to save results and
synchronize them with the instrument. The user manual provides
detailed instructions on how to perform this task.
Upgrading the Instrument:
The PV Remote Unit A 1378 can be upgraded as per the
instructions provided in the user manual.
Maintenance:
Regular cleaning and periodic calibration of the PV Remote Unit
A 1378 is recommended for optimal performance. The user manual
provides detailed instructions on how to clean, calibrate and
service the device.
Technical Specifications:
The technical specifications of the PV Remote Unit A 1378
include irradiance, temperature (cell and ambient) and general
data. The user manual provides detailed information on technical
specifications.
Product Usage Instructions: PV Remote Unit A 1378
To use the PV Remote Unit A 1378, follow these steps:
- Ensure that the battery is charged before usage.
- Select the desired function using the function selection
feature on the device. - Adjust the settings as required for accurate measurements.
- Take measurements by aiming the device at the object or surface
to be measured. - Save results and synchronize them with the device as
required. - For optimal performance, clean, calibrate and service the
device regularly as per the instructions provided in the user
manual.
PV Remote Unit A 1378
Instruction manual
Version 2.3, Code no. 20 752 010
Distributor:
Manufacturer: METREL d.d. Ljubljanska cesta 77 1354 Horjul Slovenia web site: http://www.metrel.si e-mail: [email protected]
Mark on your equipment certifies that this equipment meets the requirements of the EU (European Union) concerning safety and electromagnetic compatibility regulations
© 2019 METREL
The trade names Metrel, Smartec, Eurotest, Autosequence are trademarks registered or pending in Europe and other countries.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without permission in writing from METREL.
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit Table of contents
Table of contents
1 Preface ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
2 Safety and operational considerations………………………………………………………..5
2.1 Warnings and notes ………………………………………………………………………………5 2.2 Battery and charging ……………………………………………………………………………..5 2.3 Standards applied …………………………………………………………………………………7
3 Instrument description……………………………………………………………………………….8
3.1 Front panel …………………………………………………………………………………………..8 3.2 Connector panel ……………………………………………………………………………………9 3.3 Back side……………………………………………………………………………………………10 3.4 Battery indication…………………………………………………………………………………11 3.5 Warnings and messages ………………………………………………………………………11 3.6 Help screens ………………………………………………………………………………………11 3.7 Backlight and contrast adjustments………………………………………………………..11 3.8 Measuring probes………………………………………………………………………………..12
4 Instrument operation………………………………………………………………………………..13
4.1 Function selection ……………………………………………………………………………….13 4.2 Settings ……………………………………………………………………………………………..13
4.2.1 Language ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13 4.2.2 Clear memory…………………………………………………………………………………………..14 4.2.3 Irradiance sensor………………………………………………………………………………………14 4.2.4 Temperature sensors ……………………………………………………………………………….. 14 4.2.5 Date and time ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
5 Measurements …………………………………………………………………………………………16
6 Saving of results and synchronization with the instrument ………………………..18
7 Upgrading the instrument…………………………………………………………………………19
8 Maintenance…………………………………………………………………………………………….20
8.1 Cleaning …………………………………………………………………………………………….20 8.2 Periodic calibration ………………………………………………………………………………20 8.3 Service ………………………………………………………………………………………………20
9 Technical specifications …………………………………………………………………………..21
9.1 Irradiance …………………………………………………………………………………………..21 9.2 Temperature (cell and ambient) …………………………………………………………….21 9.3 General data (PV remote unit)……………………………………………………………….21
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
1 Preface
Preface
The PV Remote unit is a professional hand-held accessory intended to perform temperature and solar irradiance measurements.
PV modules and connection terminals for measuring are often not on the same location. For examples PV modules are on the roof and connection terminals are at the inverter inside the building. With the PV Remote environmental parameters can be measured while electrical parameters are measured with the instrument on another location. The clocks of main instrument and PV Remote unit can be synchronized. This enables an easy pooling of data measured at the same time after the tests are finished.
Contemporary measurement of electrical and environmental values is demanded in some standards for calculation of efficiency of PV systems.
The graphic display with backlight offers easy reading of results, indications, measurement parameters and messages.
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Safety and operational considerations
2 Safety and operational considerations
2.1 Warnings and notes
In order to maintain a high level of accuracy while carrying out various tests and measurements, Metrel recommends keeping your Remote unit in good condition and undamaged. When using the instrument, consider the following general warnings:
The symbol on the instrument means »Read the Instruction manual with special care for safe operation«. The symbol requires an action!
Service intervention or adjustment is only allowed to be carried out by a competent authorized personnel!
The instrument comes supplied with rechargeable or Ni-MH battery cells. The cells should only be replaced with the same type as defined on the battery compartment label or as described in this manual. Do not use standard alkaline battery cells while the power supply adapter is connected, otherwise they may explode!
2.2 Battery and charging
The instrument uses six AA size alkaline or rechargeable Ni-MH battery cells. Nominal operating time is declared for cells with nominal capacity of 2100 mAh. Battery condition is always displayed in the lower right display part. In case the battery is too weak the instrument indicates this as shown in figure 2.1. This indication appears for a few seconds and then the instrument turns itself off.
Figure 2-1: Discharged battery indication
The battery is charged whenever the power supply adapter is connected to the
instrument. The power supply socket polarity is shown in figure 2.2. Internal circuit
controls charging and assures maximum battery lifetime.
–
+
Figure 2-2: Power supply socket polarity
The instrument automatically recognizes the connected power supply adapter and begins charging.
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Safety and operational considerations
Symbols: Indication of battery charging
Warnings related to safety
Figure 2-3: Charging indication
When connected to an installation, the instruments battery compartment can
contain hazardous voltage inside! When replacing battery cells or before
opening the battery/fuse compartment cover, disconnect any measuring
accessory connected to the instrument and turn off the instrument,
Ensure that the battery cells are inserted correctly otherwise the instrument will
not operate and the batteries could be discharged.
If the instrument is not to be used for a long period of time, remove all batteries
from the battery compartment.
Alkaline or rechargeable Ni-MH batteries (size AA) can be used. Metrel
recommends only using rechargeable batteries with a capacity of 2100mAh or
above.
Do not recharge alkaline battery cells!
Use only power supply adapter delivered from the manufacturer or distributor of
the test equipment to avoid possible fire or electric shock!
Notes:
The charger in the instrument is a pack cell charger. This means that the battery cells are connected in series during the charging. The battery cells have to be equivalent (same charge condition, same type and age).
One different battery cell can cause an improper behavior of the entire battery pack.
Unpredictable chemical processes can occur during the charging of battery cells that have been left unused for a longer period (more than 6 months). In this case Metrel recommends to repeat the charge / discharge cycle at least 2-4 times.
If no improvement is achieved after several charge / discharge cycles, then each battery cell should be checked (by comparing battery voltages, testing them in a cell charger, etc). It is very likely that only some of the battery cells are deteriorated.
The effects described above should not be confused with the normal decrease of battery capacity over time. Battery also loses some capacity when it is repeatedly charged / discharged. This information is provided in the technical specification from battery manufacturer.
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MI 1378 PV Remote Unit
Safety and operational considerations
2.3 Standards applied
The unit is manufactured and tested in accordance with the following regulations:
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
EN 61326
Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory
use EMC requirements
Class B (Hand-held equipment used in controlled EM environments)
Safety (LVD)
EN 61010-1
Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control
and laboratory use Part 1: General requirements
Reference standard for photovoltaic systems
Grid connected photovoltaic systems Minimum requirements for
EN 62446
system documentation, commissioning tests and inspection
Note about EN and IEC standards: Text of this manual contains references to European standards. All standards of EN 6XXXX (e.g. EN 61010) series are equivalent to IEC standards with the same number (e.g. IEC 61010) and differ only in amended parts required by European harmonization procedure.
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MI 1378 PV Remote Unit
3 Instrument description
3.1 Front panel
Instrument description
Figure 3-1: Front panel
Legend:
1 LCD
128 x 64 dots matrix display with backlight.
2 TEST
Starts / stops measurements.
3 UP/ DOWN
Modifies selected parameter.
4 Function selectors Selects test function
5 HELP
Help screens.
6 Backlight,
Changes backlight level and contrast.
Contrast
7 ON / OFF
Switches the instrument power on or off. The instrument
automatically turns off 15 minutes after the last key was
pressed.
8 MEM
No function in this version
9 TAB
No function in this version
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
3.2 Connector panel
Instrument description
Legend:
1
Input 1
2
Input 2
3
Input 3
4
PS/2 connector
5
Charger socket
6
USB connector
Figure 3-2: Connector panel
Input for measuring Irradiance Input for measuring Ambient / Cell temperature Input for measuring Cell temperature Connection to the measuring instrument Connection to the wireless adaptor
No function in this version.
Warnings! Maximum short-term voltage of external power supply adapter is 14 V!
Maximum short-term voltage on measuring inputs is 12 V!
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
3.3 Back side
Instrument description
Figure 3-3: Back side
Legend:
1 Side belt 2 Battery compartment cover 3 Fixing screw for battery compartment cover 4 Back panel information label 5 Holder for inclined position of the instrument
Figure 3-4: Battery compartment
Legend:
1 Battery cells 2 Serial number label
Size AA, alkaline or rechargeable NiMH / NiCd
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Instrument description
3.4 Battery indication
The indication indicates the charge condition of battery and connection of external charger.
Battery capacity indication.
Low battery. Battery is too weak to guarantee correct result. Replace or recharge the battery cells.
Recharging in progress (if power supply adapter is connected).
3.5 Warnings and messages
In the message field warnings and messages are displayed. Measurement is running, consider displayed warnings.
3.6 Help screens
HELP
Opens help screen.
The Help menu contains diagrams for illustrating how to properly connect the probes and instrument.
Keys in help menu:
UP / DOWN Function selectors / HELP
Selects next / previous help screen. Exits help menu.
Figure 3-5: Examples of help screens
3.7 Backlight and contrast adjustments
With the BACKLIGHT key backlight and contrast can be adjusted.
Click Keep pressed for 1 s Keep pressed for 2 s
Toggles backlight intensity level. Locks high intensity backlight level until power is turned off or the key is pressed again. Bargraph for LCD contrast adjustment is displayed.
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Instrument description
Figure 3-6: Contrast adjustment menu
Keys for contrast adjustment:
DOWN UP TEST Function selectors
Reduces contrast. Increases contrast. Accepts new contrast. Exits without changes.
3.8 Measuring probes
List of compatible measuring probes is available on request from your distributor.
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Instrument operation
4 Instrument operation
4.1 Function selection
For selecting main functions the FUNCTION SELECTOR shall be used.
Keys:
Select function:
FUNCTION SELECTOR
<SOLAR> Measurements <SETTINGS> Instrument settings.
4.2 Settings
In the SETTINGS menu language can be selected, memory can be cleared and Irradiance sensor can be configured.
Figure 4-1: Options in Settings menu
Keys:
UP / DOWN TEST
Selects option. Enters menu for selecting parameter
4.2.1 Language
In this menu the language can be set.
Keys:
UP / DOWN TEST
Figure 4-2: Language selection
Selects language. Confirms selected language.
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
4.2.2 Clear memory
In this menu data logs can be cleared.
Instrument operation
Keys:
UP / DOWN TEST
Figure 4-3: Clear memory screens
Selects option. YES Confirms memory clear. NO Returns to setting menu without memory clear.
4.2.3 Irradiance sensor
In this menu the type of irradiance sensor can be set.
Figure 4-4: Irradiance sensor selection
Supported irradiance sensors:
PV cell A 1427: measuring monocrystal PV cell Pyran. A 1399: pyranometer
Keys:
UP / DOWN TEST
Selects type of irradiance sensor. Confirms selected sensor.
4.2.4 Temperature sensors
In this menu the use of temperature sensor on Channel 2 can be set.
Figure 4-5: Use of temperature sensor selection
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Instrument operation
Keys: UP / DOWN
TEST
Selects use of temperature sensor (Ambient or Cell temperature) Confirms selected use.
Notes:
If the temperature sensor on Channel 2 is set as a Cell sensor the mean value of both cell sensors (on Channel 2 and Channel 3) will be considered as the Cell temperature in the instrument.
Use of two cell temperature sensors can improve the accuracy of the measured cell temperatures and calculated STC results.
4.2.5 Date and time
Time is displayed in the upper right part of the LCD. Refer to chapter Synchronization on MI 3108 / MI 3109 Instruction manual for more information .
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Measurements
5 Measurements
The following environmental measurements can be performed with the Remote unit: Solar irradiance Ambient temperature Cell temperature (using single sensor or two sensors)
Temperature and solar irradiance must be measured: for calculation of nominal PV values at standard conditions. for conversion of solar to electric power of the PV panels. to check that environmental conditions are proper for carrying out the PV tests
Figure 5-1: Measuring menu Connections for measuring of environmental parameters
Figure 5-2: Measurement of environmental parameters 16
A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Procedure for measuring of environmental parameters Select SOLAR. function using the function selector switch Connect environmental probes to the PV Remote unit Connect the probes to the item to be tested (see figure 5.2). Connect the PV Remote unit to the instrument (optional) Press the TEST key to start the measurement. Press the TEST key to stop the measurement.
Measurements
Figure 5-3: Example of results – measurement
Displayed results for environmental parameters: Irr…………………solar irradiance Tamb……………ambient temperature Tcell…………….cell temperature
Note:
If PV Remote unit is connected with the instrument the measured data are sent to the instrument. For more information about this feature refer to MI 3108 / MI 3109 Instruction Manual.
If the temperature sensor on Channel 2 is set as a Cell sensor the mean value of both cell sensors (on Channel 2 and Channel 3) will be considered as the Cell temperature in the instrument.
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Saving of results
6 Saving of results and synchronization with the instrument
The measured results and time of measurement are automatically stored into the PV Remote unit’s memory.
After the measurement the stored results can be synchronized with results in the instrument MI 3108 / MI 3109 that were measured at the same time. The instrument can then calculate correct STC values.
Before the measurements the time and date between the instrument and Remote unit should be synchronized. For more information about this feature refer to MI 3108 / MI 3109 Instruction Manual.
For time and results synchronization the RS232 port on the instrument MI 3108/9 must be connected with the RS232 port on the remote unit. Use the PS/2 to RS232 (female) data cable delivered with the MI 3108/9 and the RS232 (male) to PS/2 cable adapter delivered with A 1378.
Figure 6-1: Interface connection for the RS232 (male) to PS/2 cable adapter Connection for synchronization
Figure 6-2 Connection of the instruments during synchronization 18
A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Upgrading the instrument
7 Upgrading the instrument
The instrument can be upgraded from a PC via the RS232 communication port. This enables to keep the instrument up to date even if the standards or regulations change. Please contact your dealer for more information.
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Maintenance
8 Maintenance
Unauthorized persons are not allowed to open the PV Remote unit. There are no user replaceable components inside the instrument, except the battery under rear cover.
8.1 Cleaning
No special maintenance is required for the housing. To clean the surface of the instrument use a soft cloth slightly moistened with soapy water or alcohol. Then leave the instrument to dry totally before use.
Warnings: Do not use liquids based on petrol or hydrocarbons! Do not spill cleaning liquid over the instrument!
8.2 Periodic calibration
It is essential that the test instrument is regularly calibrated in order that the technical specification listed in this manual is guaranteed. We recommend an annual calibration. Only an authorized technical person can do the calibration. Please contact your dealer for further information.
8.3 Service
For repairs under warranty, or at any other time, please contact your distributor.
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
9 Technical specifications
9.1 Irradiance
Probe A 1399
Measuring range 0 999 W/m2
1.00 1.75 kW/m2
Resolution (W/m2) 1 10
Measuring principle: Pyranometer
Operation conditions: Working temperature range ………….. -40 C 55 C Designed for continuous outdoor use.
Technical specifications
Accuracy (5 % + 5 digits)
5 %
Probe A 1427
Measuring range 0 999 W/m2
1.00 1.75 kW/m2
Resolution (W/m2) 1 10
Accuracy (4 % + 5 digits)
4 %
Measuring principle: Monocrystall PV cell, temperature compensated
Operation conditions: Working temperature range ………….. -20 C 55 C Protection degree …………………………IP 44
9.2 Temperature (cell and ambient)
Probe A 1400
Measuring range (°C) -10.0 85.0
Resolution (°C) 0.1
Designed for continuous outdoor use.
Accuracy 5 digits
9.3 General data (PV remote unit)
Power supply voltage…………………… 9 VDC (61.5 V battery or accu, size AA) Operation …………………………………… typical 20 h Charger socket input voltage ………… 12 V 10 % Charger socket input current ………… 400 mA max. Battery charging current ………………. 250 mA (internally regulated) Protection degree ……………………….. IP 40
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A 1378 PV Remote Unit
Technical specifications
RS232 Baud rate ………………………… 9600 Number of memorized results: > 3000, circular buffer
In case the instrument gets moistened, the results could be impaired. In such case, it is recommended to dry the instrument and accessories for at least 24 hours. The error in operating conditions could be at most the error for reference conditions (specified in the manual for each function) 5 % of measured value.
Display …………………………………….. 128×64 dots matrix display with backlight
Dimensions (w h d) ………………… 14 cm 8 cm 23 cm Weight …………………………………….. 1.0 kg, without battery cells
Reference conditions Reference temperature range……….. 10 C 30 C Reference humidity range…………….. 40 %RH 70 %RH
Operation conditions Working temperature range ………….. 0 C 40 C Maximum relative humidity …………… 95 %RH (0 C 40 C), non-condensing
Storage conditions Temperature range ……………………… -10 C +70 C Maximum relative humidity …………… 90 %RH (-10 C +40 C)
80 %RH (40 C 60 C)
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Metrel d.o.o.
