sofarsolar PSC100 Communication Box Installation Guide

sofarsolar PSC100 Communication Box

Product Information

Specifications:

• Brand: SOFARSOLAR
• Model: Communication Box
• Dimensions: 760mm x 220mm x 580mm
• Recommended Browsers: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge Chrome

Product Usage Instructions

Mounting
Danger: Do not install the SOFAR Communication Box in places where flammable and explosive materials are stored.

Mounting Steps:

• Choose the mounting type according to your needs: vertical wall mounting, vertical bracket mounting, or horizontal placement.
• For vertical wall mounting:
  1. Drill a hole with a diameter of 8mm and depth of 80mm.
  2. Mount the device using expansion screws.
• For other mounting types, follow the specific instructions provided.

Communication Box Wiring

Notice: Switch off the power supply before wiring and ensure safety during wiring.

• RS485 Wiring:
  • Use shielded twisted pair cables with a conductor cross-section of 1mm² for RS485 communication cables.
  • Connect third-party devices like inverters using the RS485 port.
• PBUS Wiring:
  • Ensure proper wire gauge for R, S, and T three-phase power lines.
  • Connect the PBUS communication module signal line and power line from Fuse Block 01/02.
• Ethernet Port:
  Connect LAN3 port of the communication manager to an external switch.

Parameter Configuration

Login:

• Connect your computer to the Communication Box using a network cable.
• Login to the WEB interface with the default URL of 192.168.4.11 using username ‘admin’ and password ‘sofar123’.

FAQs

• Can the Communication Box be used outdoors?
  The Communication Box is designed for indoor use only. Do not expose it to outdoor elements.
• What is the recommended wire gauge for PBUS wiring?
  For PBUS wiring, wires greater than 12 AWG (core 3mm²) are recommended for R, S, and T three-phase power lines.

Basic Safety Information

• Please familiarize yourself with the safety signs and instructions first.
• The quick installation guide contains the following models: PSC100、PSC100A、PSC100E.
• The copyright of this manual belongs to Shenzhen SOFARSOLAR Co.Ltd. It is not allowed to be plagiarized, partially copied or wholly reproduced, duplicated or published in any form or manner by any unit or individual.

Safety Instructions

• Installation and maintenance may only be carried out by a qualified electrical engineer.
• SOFAR Communication Box must be installed in full compliance with national and local grid standards and regulations.
• Please contact the nearest authorized service centre when any maintenance or repair is required. For information about the nearest authorized centre, please contact your dealer. Do not carry out repairs yourself, as this may result in injury to persons or property.
• Before installing and maintaining the device, disconnect the power grid from SOFAR Communication Box, and disconnect the AC auxiliary power supply from the power grid to avoid serious injury caused by electric shock.

Safety Signs

Mounting

DANGER 

• Do not install SOFAR Communication Box in places where flammable and explosive materials are stored.
• Do not install SOFAR Communication Box where you may inadvertently come into contact with them.
• Transport and movement to consider the weight of SOFAR Communication Box.

Product Size: W*H*D=760×580×220mm

Packing List

Mounting Environment

• It should be installed in a place where there is no significant shaking, shock and vibration, and where there is no rain or snow. It should be installed at a height preferably parallel to the line of sight for easy operation and maintenance.
• SOFAR Communication Box should be installed without explosive hazardous media, and the medium is not enough to corrode metal and damage the insulation of the gas and dust.
• The parameters and warning signs must be clearly visible after SOFAR Communication Box is installed.

Device Mounting

Wall Mounting Space

Mounting Steps
The communication box has vertical wall mounting, vertical bracket mounting, horizontal placement of a total of three types of installation. The user can choose one of the ways to install it according to their own needs.

1. Vertical wall mounting
   
2. Vertical bracket mounting
   
3. Horizontal placement
   

Communication Box Wiring
Notice: Please switch off the power supply before wiring and pay attention to safety during wiring.

1. Shell grounding wire
   
2. RS485 wiring
   Shielded twisted pair cables with a conductor cross section of 1mm2 are recommended for RS485 communication cables. Use the RS485 port when connecting third-party devices such as inverters, MV transformer station and weather station.

   

3. PBUS wiring
   PBUS communication module 01/02 signal line and power line are the same line, lead from “Fuse Block 01/02”.

   
   NOTICE: Wire greater than 12awg (core 3mm2) is recommended for R, S, and T three-phase power lines.

4. Ethernet port
   Connect the LAN3 port of the communication manager to the external switch.

   

5. Fiber optic port 
   Connect the fiber optic port of the industrial switch to the external switch.

   
   NOTICE: The connection to the external switch can be made through either the Ethernet port or the fiber optic port.

6. Single-phase power supply input port
   The single-phase power input voltage range is 100~240VAC and the AC input frequency is 50~60Hz

   
   NOTICE:

   • Please complete all wiring before powering up the unit.
   • Please check to make sure the wiring is correct before connecting to the power supply.
   • The chassis is clean and free of debris.

Parameter Configuration

Open the communication box housing before parameter configuration. The recommended browsers are google chrome or microsoft edge chrome.

Login
Connect the computer to the Communication Box. Connection: Connect one end of the network cable to the computer’s network port and the other end to the LAN4 port of the communication manager. Login to the WEB interface with the default URL of 192.168.4.11. As shown in the figure below, the login user name is admin and the login password is sofar123.

Add Inverters
If the communication box model is PSC100A/PSC100E, users need to select the PBUS port first. As shown in the figure below.

• Automatic search for inverters
  After searching, pick the actual inverter device that corresponds to this PBUS port and add it.

  

• Add inverters manually

  

Modify the Inverter Address
Fill in the communication address according to the actual number of the inverter.

NOTICE: The inverter communication address must not be set to 248.

Delete Inverters

Communication Management
Users can set the IP addresses of the 4 channels of the communication manager. This is shown in the figure below.

Inverter Upgrade

• Check the current version of the inverter. If it is not the latest version, you need to upload the latest firmware package to upgrade.

  

• Wait for the update progress to reach 100%. Click “ver” and then “Force Update” to see the updated version number.

  

Communication Box Upgrade
The “Communication Box” page allows you to import database files, CCO firmware and communication manager firmware. Upload the firmware and click upgrade.

ABOUT COMPANY

• Shenzhen SOFARSOLAR Co., Ltd.
• 11th/F, Gaoxinqi Technology Building, District 67,
• Xingdong Community, Xin’an Street, Bao’an District, Shenzhen
• Web: https://www.sofarsolar.com (EN)
• https://sofarsolar.eu (EU)
• Email: info@sofarsolar.com