I have 3 phase power at home with solar panels and 2 inverters connected to phases. I would like to monitor the power usage in the house so I need to have capability for 3 CT's.
I would like to monitor the output from the individual inverters that are fed from 2 sets of panels on different roof areas. So another 2 CT's.
I would like to output all of the data to pvoutput.org so that I can view this via the web where ever I am.
Can Fluksol receive the outputs from 5 CT's?
The Fluksol connects directly to the web and the Fluksol site which pvoutput.org can read the data from. This means I don't need any other equipment. Is this correct?
The inverters have the capability to output via RS485 but this capability is not fitted to my inverters. Is it better to try and get the output from the inverters direct to pvoutput.org?
Thanks in advance
No clamps on inverters! Use cheap S0/pulse meters instead - search the forum with search string "site:flukso.net solar measurement" - there are plenty of discussions on this topics already.
I started with clamps on Flukso but indeed S0/Pulse is much better.My set it up like this (The Netherlands):
1 flukso 2B
4ports: S0/pulse meters , 1 per 4 groups of 16A (2 in total), 1 measuring solar output, 1 measuring overall usage.
Because we have smart metering available also attached that to the Flukso.
1 port: Used Smart metering output to give my S0/pulse meters approx. the right factor. and voila.
Also electricity useage and gas usage on my flukso.
As extra for electricity I also use PVOUTPUT.ORG.
My inverters also gave signals but not integrated also values given by inverters are not correct and Flukso / smart meter are more accurate.
So join The Flukso community!! It is a small investment but a lot of fun to see your usage and Solar panels working to lower your usage......
Thanks for your feedback GEBHARDM and VOOGT.
I understand, or think I do, about clamps on inverters. So counting the pulses is the way to go from the inverters. My trouble is I have Eversol TL1500 inverter units that do not have the RS485 cards fitted. I have to find out how to buy these cards, I can see where they need to be fitted. Once I have the cards then I need to work out how to get the pulse output required.
The following is from the Eversol manual. Can this be used as input to the Fluksol? Via? I did see something about ABB pulse counters. So does this mean I need something similar to count the pulses to feed to the Fluksol?
The pin assignment of the RJ45 socket on the inverter is as follows:
Pin1------- TX_RS485A
Pin2-------TX_RS485B
Pin3-------RX_RS485A
Pin4-------GND
Pin5-------GND
Pin6-------RX_RS485B
Pin7-------+7V
Pin8-------+7V
For the electricity consumption I would go for the 3 phase coils to measure consumption.
Thanks
Forget about the RS-485 of the inverters unless you want to buy a (or program or use the supplier's optional) datalogger to fit to this type of interface; the Fluksometer had in v2A an interface that could (!) have handled that, but this is already obsolete with v2B as there never was the attempt to write corresponding interface software for it. When we talk about pulse meters, we mean to have such little metering boxes (DIN rail meters) at the current output of the inverter (if you don't have such already) --> for example https://www.gavazzionline.com/pdf/EM10DINDSENG210711.pdf - they start at 20$ plus installation - let an electrician do that, your insurance will thank you.
Okay, I understand now.
I do have DIN rail in my meter box and also some boxes provided with the panels and inverters. So i can install 2 of the kWhr meters with pulse output of the type you have noted above. I have 2 sets of panels connected to 2 inverters and then connected to 2 separate phases of the house wiring. So I would have 2 of the meters, one associated with each inverter. There are different pulses per kWh, can you alter this setting in the Fluksometer? I understand it is better to have a higher count, such as 1000 pulses per kWh.
Within the Fluksometer or the web based software I can then sum the outputs from the 2 pulses to represent my total solar production? I can then send this to PVOUTPUT.
I will need to make sure the 3 phase clamps are installed on the cabling as it goes to the house loads. And that this is downstream of the solar inputs. Reading the Flukso manual, I believe I can select 3 phase and then the Flukso automatically sums the current measured across the 3 phases and gives a total power draw for the 3 phases. If I select single phase then the flukes would read the 3 phases as separate current measurements and send that separate data to the Flukso site. The separate phases are connected to different load circuits so by having the different readings I can then track down the high loads easier. Is this correct?
Also via the Flukso site and the graphing capabilities, do I really need to output to PVOUTPUT?
Thanks. The help and advice is much appreciated.
Correct; PVoutput is an option only that many (mainly Australian) Fluksonian additionally use; there are some apps and a Fluksometer local graphing solution available to get some semantics into the readings beside the flukso.net-dash - have a scan through the diverse forum threads; they will also provide you a deeper understanding of the many opportunities you will have at hand...
My setup works without PVOUTPUT. But with PV output I made a comparison of output of the solarsystem.
See PVOUTPUT as an extra with nice graphs and easy to use to look at history.
If you put a din rail meter per Solar output you need 2 s0 meters for your output and 3 S0 for your usage I think. Then you measure can see all your usage. I don't know how you can combine it on 3phase I don not have such a system
What i also did i wanted to see my real usage so I have a S0 on my total usage (1phase). As an extra I wanted to know my factor because I could compare smart metering usage with S0 usage.
This because the S0 meters I bought where not official calibrated.
But realy forget the clamps.... and RS485. The data from inverters are nice to see but realy not as accurate as sensor measurements.. But ofcource having smart metering makes it also complete to see your usage.
There is a little error in voogt's elaboration: As there are only 4 pulse ports max on an FLM v2b, you can stay with three consumption clamps, of course. Yes, there is an issue with clamps and power factor, but this is by FLM intention not essential as you are going for "an understanding" and not "certified measurement"; that inverter suppliers deliver "crap" in the first place (and therefore require an S0 meter) is not an FLM failure...
@GEBHARDM yes in my setup I use 4x S0 and the smart meter output. Together with a Flukso 2b and it works fine.
I use FLM because the inverter measurements are not 100% correct