How to set up Export Limiting

Using the Fronius Smart Meter*

*Single phase or 3-phase Energy Meter

(c) Fronius Australia Pty. Ltd, 01/2015 1/10

White Paper

© Fronius Australia Pty Ltd., VH

Version 1.0/2015

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Gender-specific wording refers equally to female and male form.

(c) Fronius Australia Pty. Ltd, 01/2015 2/10

1. GENERAL
So called “export limiting” is where the Utility or network operator restricts the amount of energy from PV system
that goes into the grid. I.e. excess energy that is not consumed on the site. In order for the end user to gain the
maximum amount of energy from the system without exceeding the export limit, the inverter output needs to be
able to follow the site load.

The Fronius Datamanager 2.0 is able to limit the inverter output power dynamically and therefore to control and
limit the amount of energy which is export into the grid in accordance to the consumption of the loads.

The Datamanager Card 2.0 offers the following options to control the power output of the inverter:
- Modbus RTU
- Modbus TCP
- 8-bit binary input
- Dynamic Power Reduction using the Fronius Smart Meter

Therefore there are two possible ways to achieve export limiting with Fronius Inverters:
- Using the Fronius Smart Meter. Datamanager controls the inverter as a Master
- 3rd party controller issuing commands to the Datamanager.

The simplest and most cost effective way to achieve export control with Fronius inverters is to use the Fronius
Smart Meter. The meter measures the amount of energy imported or exported to the grid and the Datamanager
uses these values to calculate the appropriate output power of the inverter to limit the export to the grid.

This document describes how to set up export control using the single phase or 3-phase Fronius Smart Meter.

1.1 Location of the Fronius Smart Meter

With the Fronius Smart Meter there are 2 possible energy paths / locations where it can be installed.
The feed-in path or the consumption path.

Feed-in path – bi-directional energy measurement. Load = Meter reading + Inverter power
Consumption path – single direction energy measurement. Load is measured directly.

Due to NET metering and the common way installations are done in Australia, in almost all cases, the Fronius
Smart Meter will be installed in the feed-in path. This is also the default setting on the Datamanager METER
tab.

/ Feed-in point
In this position the solar & the loads are in parallel. The solar is connected to the “load” side of the Fronius
Smart Meter.

Fronius Site Grid

Smart Meter main
switch

Loads
PV System

(c) Fronius Australia Pty. Ltd, 01/2015 3/10

/ Consumption path
In this position the solar & the loads are separated by the meter. The solar is connected to the “grid” side of the
Fronius Smart Meter.

PV System Fronius Site Grid

Smart Meter main
switch

Loads

1.2 Requirements

Important! The Fronius Datamanager 2.0 needs a software version of 3.5.1-2 or greater. It can be downloaded
from the Fronius Website under Solar Energy/Info & Support/Software Downloads/Software Updates or click
here: http://www.fronius.com/cps/rde/xchg/SID-1CE5A97E-8EC72008/fronius_australia/hs.xsl/25_7671.htm

For more detailed information on how to upgrade the firmware of Fronius Datamanger 2.0 please see the
Operating Instructions on the Fronius website under Solar Energy / Products / System monitoring / Datalogging
/Fronius Datamanager 2.0 or click: http://www.fronius.com/cps/rde/xbcr/SID-DBD64F5C-
18F6818F/fronius_australia/42_0426_0191_EA_388899_snapshot.pdf

(c) Fronius Australia Pty. Ltd, 01/2015 4/10

 2. EXPORT CONTROL USING A FRONIUS SMART METER

2.1 Intro
Fronius Smart Meters (single phase or 3-phase) are energy meters with
ModBus RTU / RS 485 communication. It is needed for measuring the
load and energy fed into the grid.

It is required to connect it to the Fronius Datamanager 2.0 (comes built-in

in SnapINverters Galvo, Primo, Symo and Eco) and can be retrofitted to
all other Fronius inverters.

2.2 Schematics and Wiring

The following schematics shows the system configuration

ModBus RTU / RS485

Fronius inverter with
Datamanager 2.0

L1
N

Fronius Smart Meter

Please note:
/ Wiring between meter and inverter should use CAT5 or CAT6 cable (LAN cable)
/ Connection is a data line for Modbus RTU / RS485 using screw terminals on the meter
/ Maximum distance: 300 m (980 feet)

Meter connection on the Datamanager 2.0

The meter needs to be connected to the Datamanager’s terminal block.

(c) Fronius Australia Pty. Ltd, 01/2015 5/10

Wiring detail for Single Phase Fronius Smart Meter 63A/1PH*** and Datamanager 2.0

* The 120 Ohm terminating

resistor is enclosed with the
meter

*** Please note that the

connections 33, 34, 35 on the
Fronius Smart Meter are in the
reverse order than shown in
the graphics left!

Wiring detail for 3-Phase Fronius Smart Meter 63A/3PH and Datamanager 2.0

* The 120 Ohm terminating

resistor is enclosed with the
meter

Wiring detail for 3-Phase Fronius Smart Meter 50kA/3PH and Datamanager 2.0

* The 120 Ohm terminating

resistor is enclosed with the
meter

Current transducers with a secondary current of 1A and 5A can be used.

(c) Fronius Australia Pty. Ltd, 01/2015 6/10

 If your CT ratio is 20 once set this will
now read Ct 0020

Modbus termination switch on the Datamanager

The internal bus termination 120-Ohm resistance (for Modbus RTU) needs to
be switched to ON.

Please Note:
The termination resistance must be activated for the first and last device in an RS-485 bus.

2.3 Activating the Fronius Smart Meter on the Datamanager web

interface
The Datamanager Web interface can be accessed in two ways:

1. Via the Wi-Fi Access Point:

- Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point on the Datamanager card (inverter) or Datamanager Box 2.0
- Connect your computer/table/smart phone to the ,,Fronius_240.XXXXXX” Wi-Fi network
- Open a web browser and go to http://192.168.250.181.
Alternatively you can use Fronius SolarWeb App (Tablet/Smart Phone), go to ‘Settings’ and click
‘PV Inverter Homepage’ (IOS) or My System Monitoring (Android)

2. Via the LAN Port:

- Connect your computer to the Datamanager via LAN cable
- Switch the Datamanager IP Switch to Position ‘A’
- Open a web browser and go to http://169.254.0.180

For information of how to set up the Fronius Datamanager please see the manual of the Fronius inverter or the
Fronius Datamanager (for Fronius Galvo/Symo/Primo/Eco):
http://www.fronius.com/cps/rde/xbcr/SID-DBD64F5C-
18F6818F/fronius_australia/42_0426_0191_EA_388899_snapshot.pdf

(c) Fronius Australia Pty. Ltd, 01/2015 7/10

 Go to ‘Settings’.

Before it is possible to enter the METER settings a service password is required. If no service password has
been set, it needs to be created first!

If no service password has

been set: Choose a service
password under PASSWORDS.

Go to ‘METER’ to do the
relevant settings.

(c) Fronius Australia Pty. Ltd, 01/2015 8/10

Choose the type of meter.

Select ‘Fronius Smart Meter’

Choose location.
For further explanations on feed-in path and consumption path see chapter 1.1 Location of the energy meter

Select whether the meter is

located in the feed-in path or in
the consumption path

The meter is activated once you get the following message.

(c) Fronius Australia Pty. Ltd, 01/2015 9/10

2.4 Set up Limit Export on the Datamanager web interface

Dynamic power reduction has the capability to control the inverter’s output power according to the site’s load
and the export limitation. The export limit can be set on the web interface of the Fronius Datamanager as shown
in the following picture.

Go to the tab ‘DNO EDITOR’ under the Datamanager’s settings.

Go to ‘DNO Editor’.

Activate power reduction by

choosing ‘limit for entire system’

Fill in the total DC Power of the

connected PV generator in Watt
peak.

Fill-in the max power what’s

allowed to be fed into the grid
either in Watts or in %

Important: Select ‘Dynamic

power reduction’ as No.1 priority

Once you saved your settings by selecting the  in the Dynamic power reduction field, the set-up of the export
limit is completed.
If the system comprises multiple inverters, all inverters which are connected in the SolarNet ring to the
Datamanager will be equally power limited to achieve the set output limit.

For more information on the Fronius Datamanager 2.0 please see the Operating Instructions on the Fronius
website under Solar Energy / Products / System monitoring / Datalogging /Fronius Datamanager 2.0
or click: http://www.fronius.com/cps/rde/xbcr/SID-DBD64F5C-
18F6818F/fronius_australia/42_0426_0191_EA_388899_snapshot.pdf

(c) Fronius Australia Pty. Ltd, 01/2015 10/10