PVH DBox 5 Operating Manual

PVH SOLAR TRACKERS PRODUCT

1. Introduction

This document explains all DBox 5 variants.

⚠️ Read and comply with product installation guide and operational and maintenance manuals. Otherwise, errors during these processes could occur, leading to personal injuries or product damage.

1.1. Reference documents

CODE DESCRIPTION
PVH-RD-SY-MAN-0001-01Controller Solution
PVH-EG-SYS-CONDET-XX.WL.XX-001Connection Details
PVH-RD-PD-DST-0004-06DBox 5 Datasheet
PVH-RD-PD-PDT-0004-01DBox 5 Product description
PVH-RD-PD-ING-0004-01DBox 5 Installation guide
PVH-RD-PD-SCH-0007-02Diffuse control kit installation drawings
PVH-RD-PD-MAN-0029-01Diffuse control kit manual
PVH-RD-PD-MAN-0034-01Flood kit manual

1.2. Regulatory compliance

Modification statement: PVHARDWARE SOLUTIONS S.L. has not approved any changes or modifications to this device performed by the user. Any changes or modifications could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

ℹ️ Product regulatory compliance info. Refer to DBox 5 Datasheet for further details about the product certifications.

1.3. Limitation of liability

PVH accepts no liability for erroneous handling or damage to product from PVH or third-party product resulting from disregard of information contained in this documentation.

PVH reserves the right to alter, correct, and/or improve the technical documentation and the products described in this documentation at any time and without giving prior notice, insofar as this is reasonable for the user. The same applies to any technical changes that serve the purpose of technical progress.

The receipt of technical documentation (data sheets, assembly manuals, O&M manuals, etc.) does not constitute any further duty on the part of PVH to furnish information on alterations to products and/or technical documentation. Any other agreement shall only apply if expressly confirmed in writing by PVH.

Please note that the supplied documentation is intended to serve as product-specific documentation only. You are responsible for checking the suitability and intended use of the products in your specific application, in particular pertinent standards and directives. Although PVH makes every effort to ensure that the information and content is accurate and up-to-date, technical inaccuracies and/or printing errors in the information cannot be ruled out. PVH does not offer any guarantees as to the reliability, accuracy, or completeness of the information. All information made available in the technical documentation is supplied without any accompanying guarantee, whether expressly mentioned, implied, or tacitly assumed.

PVH accepts no liability or responsibility for errors or omissions in the content of the technical documentation (data sheets, assembly manuals, O&M manuals, etc.).

Modifying any of the products or structures by PVH and/or adding external products or infrastructure to them could cause malfunctioning in the system or generate conditions that affect production. In case these recommendations are not followed, PVH does not grant correct functioning and the warranty will be lost.

Reasons PVH is not responsible:

  • Damage caused by the erroneous or unnecessary use of the equipment.
  • Equipment damaged, dismounted, or manipulated by unauthorized technical service.
  • Constant use of loads above the defined in the installation section.
  • Damage produced by exceptional temperatures above or below the devices working operating temperatures.
  • Lightning, accidents, water, fire, or other situations outside the control of PVH.
  • Damage caused by insect infestation or other kinds of infestation or pest, or the action of one or more animals.
  • Malfunctioning of tracker system caused by the installation of infrastructure after the construction of the plant.
  • Erroneous measurements caused by the poor sensor maintenance and cleaning, and incorrect DBox installation. Consider that this could modify TBox response to adverse weather conditions.

1.4. Handling conditions

When the product is received, before opening it, the condition of its packaging must be verified. In case it is damaged, it must be notified in written form to the transport company or supplier.

When unpackaging, it must be checked that all the requested items are included, and their condition is perfect.

If the unit is not immediately installed, it is convenient to keep it in its original packaging and situated in a ventilated and dry environment.

PVHardware will not be responsible for any improper handling or installation of the devices. Installation must be only executed by trained and professional personnel. Any deviation of this manual will cause personal or device damages and loss of warranty.

Consider that some information in this manual might have been updated, so it is important to be in contact with PVHardware Support.

2. Safety Information

2.1. Safety messages: danger, warning, caution and notice

  • DANGER indicates an immediate hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious personal injury.
  • WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious personal injury.
  • CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate personal injury or damage to the product.
  • NOTICE indicates a situation where a potential hazard could damage the product. Notice is also used to address practices not related to personal injury but considered as relevant for the system operation.

2.2. Electrical safety

Electrical hazard. The voltages used in the Solar Tracking Control System can cause electrical shock or burns and could be lethal. For this reason, precautions must always be taken to the extreme when working with, or adjacent to, the control system equipment. Specific warnings are given throughout this user manual. The user who works with the device must always agree with this manual.

2.3. System assembly warning

The Control System is intended as an ensemble of components for professional incorporation into a complete solar tracking installation.

Close attention to the electrical installation and the system design is required to avoid hazards either in nominal operation or in the event of equipment malfunction.

ℹ️ Technical tasks. Installation, commissioning/start-up, and maintenance must be carried out by personnel with the necessary training and expertise. They must read this safety information and this manual carefully.

2.4. Installation risks

Regarding safety measures during the installation of the equipment:

  • If a mechanical or electrical component is damaged, do not use the product and contact your supplier.
  • If the installation instructions are not followed correctly, some problems might arise, such as damage to the unit or physical harm.
  • The work tools used to install the device should be approved for the job considering the voltage in the system.
  • Once the installation has been carried out, the installed units and the cables should not be moved.

The power cables from the panel to the device cannot be wrongly connected, the connectors are differentiated.

  • Use appropriate and well-maintained tools.
  • Inspect all equipment regularly for damage. In case the tools are not in good condition, replace them.
  • Use personal protective equipment.
  • Monitor weather conditions to avoid working during adverse weather.

2.5. Radio Frequency (RF)

In relation to Safety due to the possibility of radio frequency (RF) interference, you must follow all the special regulations that may apply regarding the use of radio equipment. Follow the safety advice given below.

⚠️ Radio frequency hazard. Operating your device close to other electronic equipment may cause interference if the equipment is inadequately protected. Observe any warning signs and manufacturers' recommendations.

2.6. Interference with pacemakers and other medical devices

Potential interference

Radio frequency energy (RF) from cellular devices can interact with some electronic devices. This is electromagnetic interference (EMI). The FDA helped develop a detailed test method to measure EMI of implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators from cellular devices. This test method is part of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standard. This standard allows manufacturers to ensure that cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are safe from cellular device EMI.

The FDA continues to monitor cellular devices for interactions with other medical devices. If a harmful interference occurs, the FDA will assess the interference and will work to resolve the problem.

Precautions for pacemaker wearers

Based on the current research, devices do not pose a significant health problem for most pacemaker users. However, people with pacemakers may want to take simple precautions to be sure that their device does not cause a problem. If EMI occurs, a pacemaker could be affected in one of the following three ways:

  • Stop the pacemaker from delivering the stimulating pulses that regulate the heart rhythm.
  • Cause the pacemaker to deliver the pulses irregularly.
  • Cause the pacemaker to ignore the heart own rhythm and deliver pulses at a fixed rate.
⚠️ Radio frequency hazard. Keep the device on the opposite side of the pacemaker to add extra distance between the pacemaker and the device. Avoid placing a turned-on device next to the pacemaker.

3. General Description

DBox 5 is the next controller generation by PVH, following DBox 4.0. It has been designed to control and monitor the movement of the structure, improving solar tracking and power generation.

ℹ️ DBox 5 information. Refer to DBox 5 data sheet for information on DBox 5 and DBox 5 peripheral devices technical data.

3.1. Physical features

DBox consists of an IP67 electric cabinet prepared for LoRa communications. It has a pressure membrane that ensures the safety of the components inside the enclosure. DBox 5 design allows to reduce both installation and commissioning times.

Figure 1. DBox 5 dimensions. The device is a rectangular box with dimensions labeled: 265 mm (length), 165 mm (width), and 125 mm (height).

Externally, there are two main components: the front panel and the connectors panel.

Figure 2. DBox 5 parts. The device is shown with the front panel at the top and the connectors panel at the bottom. Labels indicate 'FRONT PANEL' and 'CONNECTORS PANEL'.

The DBox can operate as a tracker control unit or as a meteorological control unit depending on its commissioning configuration and location on the structure.

Horizontally oriented Front Panel:

  • Installed on torque tube.
  • DBox functional configuration: tracker controller.

Figure 3. DBox 5 horizontally oriented. The front panel is shown with labels 'SPVH', 'V', 'A', 'N'.

Vertically oriented Front Panel:

  • Installed on the tower.
  • DBox functional configuration: meteorological box.

Figure 4. DBox 5 vertically oriented. The device is shown mounted vertically on a tower structure.

3.1.1. Labelling

ℹ️ DBox 5 appearance. The color of DBox 5 casing may vary.

DBox 5 label format: The label includes SAP REF, S/N, ENCLOSURE PROTECTION (IP67 TYPE 3R), MODEL (DBOX 5 DB-DB5-WL), INPUT (60 V 60 W), OUTPUT (25.6V 8A max), OUTPUT FUSE RATING (15A), MADE IN SPAIN, and various certification marks including UKCA, FCC ID, ICASA, ANATEL, and CE. It also states compliance with FCC Rules part 15.

3.1.2. Front panel

The front panel can be vertically or horizontally oriented depending on the DBox functional configuration and location. It is situated on the cover of the DBox. It is composed of:

  1. Two capacitive buttons ⬆️⬇️ to move the structure (up and down).
  2. An NFC tag ? to connect with the Control App, used as an interface by the user to control and commission the device by transferring parameters and commands.
ℹ️ PVH app info. Refer to PVH App user manual for information related to the use of the app.
  1. LED indicators which inform when:
    • An error has occurred.
    • Nominal operation is taking place.
    • The motor is moving.
    • DBox is communicating via LoRa.
ℹ️ LED indicators behavior. The LED indicators behavior is yet to be defined.

Figure 5. DBox 5 front panel parts. The front panel is shown with numbered elements: 1 - NFC, 2 - Capacitive button, 3 - Capacitive button, 4 - LED indicators.

3.1.3. Connectors panel

The Connectors Panel of the DBox has 3 cable glands for the different cables used to connect the system and a stop button ? in case of emergency.

Figure 6. Connectors panel. The panel shows a red emergency stop button and three connectors labeled 1, 2, and 3.

1Peripheral device
2DC motor
3PV power supply (SP version) / External power supply (EP version)

3.2. Connections

In connector 1, a peripheral device such as an anemometer can be connected through a female connector.

In connector 2, the DBox must be connected through a female connector to the motor placed on the structure to move the structure.

In connector 3, regardless the DBox 5 version, the power is supplied though a male connector.

Figure 7. Connector. A male connector is shown.

Glossary

Term Definition
DBoardElectronic board which includes the NFC antenna, EEPROM memory and microcontroller which manages the tracker controller algorithms. It is enclosed in the DBOX.
Tracker Controller, ControllerBox which manages the motor movement of the solar tracker. Power cables come into the box to feed the motor.
DBoxPVH tracker controller.
Emergency Stop buttonPush-button switch for emergencies situated on the DBox.
EPExternally powered DBox version.
SCADAControl system architecture to interface and manage the photovoltaic plant. SCADA enables monitoring and issuing commands through the SCADA computer system.
SPSelf-powered DBox version.
TBoxPVH plant central controller.
Tracker (or solar tracker)Tracking system considering the structure, photovoltaic panels, and the controller.
Models: DBOX5, DBOX5 Solar Tracker, Solar Tracker, Tracker

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