Overview
The number of TAPs and CCAs required per system design, is determined by the size (number of PV Modules that require MLPE units), and the layout of the installation.
Determine Number of TAPs
The Tigo System has specifications that may affect how you design your rooftop communication.
- Maximum 7 TAPs per CCA
- Maximum 300 TS4 MLPE units assigned per TAP
- Maximum 900 TS4 MLPE units assigned per CCA
If your system design requires more than 3 TAPs, then the amount of TS4 MLPE units assigned per TAP will need to be adjusted to remain within spec of the maximum amount allowed per CCA (900 total).
What affects the amount of TAPs?
Rooftop Obstacles: Tigo TAPs require a line-of-sight for communication. The more obstacles, the more TAPs may be necessary.
Distance from TAP: Tigo's Mesh system uses PAN (Personal Area Network) communication. They purposely have a short throw of signal, as to not cause over interference/saturation with other radio products.
How does Mesh help?
Mesh communications allow the closest units to communicate to other units beyond the TAP's original radius (or sphere of influence). Mesh creates a web (or mesh) of communications, which allows data to travel over a substantial distance (within a short-throw PAN system).
Design Guidelines
- Maximum radius of 33ft (10m) from TAP, to the closest TS4 Units (MLPEs)
- Minimum of 5 TS4 Units (MLPEs) within TAP radius
- Maximum distance of 33ft (10m) between the TS4 Units (MLPEs)
- Maximum total range of a Mesh system is 115ft (35m)
The distance is greatly affected by rooftop obstacles. The Tigo TAP requires a line-of-sight to maintain quality connection, so it is best to place your TAP in the center of the array and provide a secondary TAP for sections that have a broken line-of-sight (drop roofs, different roof orientations, dormers, HVAC systems, etc).
For more info, see our article on Tap and Mesh.
Determine the Number of CCAs (Cloud Connect Advanced)
When designing a system it is important to know how many CCA's to install and what their effect on the system is.
- Max of 7 TAPs per CCA
- Max of 900 TS4 Units (MLPEs) per CCA
- All strings on Inverter must be assigned to the same CCA
- All modules on strings must be assigned to the same CCA
A CCA can run multiple inverters, but it is not advised not to divide any inverter or string with multiple CCAs. This is due to the inverter specific controls for Rapid Shutdown. Best practice for any installation is to make sure that the inverter and its associated strings/arrays are on the same CCA. This way, the CCA controls the Rapid Shutdown response for all the components that are connected to the inverter.
Dividing an inverter (or strings) with more than one CCA, may cause the Rapid Shutdown response to not function as expected, which may lead to a failed inspection.
Cloud Connect Advanced is available as a kit for indoor or outdoor use, refer to the Select Your Cloud Connect Unit article to choose the kit that fits your project.