Installation of a Cloud Connect Advanced with Internet service enables viewing of production by Tigo Optimizers (MLPE) by use of a web browser and/or use of the Tigo SMART phone Application.
Additionally data values from other equipment can be displayed:
- Inverters - Power Production, and optionally other values such as String Voltage, etc.
- Watt Hour meter measurements - including Revenue Grade Meters accepted by Power Utilities to measure Inverter production.
- Weather Stations - temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, etc.
- Pyranometer - a sensor that converts the solar radiation it receives into an electrical signal that can be measured, used to measure how 'sunny' it is.
Basic history of received values is available for 2 weeks for free, read free monitoring?
Connecting Other Devices Video
You can see details of how to setup connections see the article "Set up Inverters, Meters & Sensors".
How does it work?
These devices communicate with the CCA using Modbus, a serial data communication protocol. There are two methods that can be used, Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU.
- Modbus TCP uses a Local Area Network (LAN) of Ethernet or Wi-Fi physical media for data transport to the CCA.
- Modbus RTU uses a cable of type RS-485, to connect the device to the CCA.
- The data protocol (message structure) used is the same either way.
Every device on a given Modbus 'network' is configured with a unique ID, an integer value. For example, the first device might have Modbus ID "1", second device is "2", and so on.
Modbus TCP (Networking using Transmission Control Protocol - Ethernet or Wi-Fi)
For Modbus TCP devices, both the device and the CCA must be on the same subnet. See below. This usually means that both the CCA and the device are connected to the same router.
For an example of setting up Modbus TCP, see our article "Set up Inverters, Meters & Sensors".
Modbus RTU (Remote Terminal Unit protocol using RS-485 cabling)
Modbus RTU uses a cable for communications between CCA and other devices. The CCA has two RS-485 ports available. Multiple devices can be daisy-chained together and connected to either port. There is a limit of 32 devices maximum per daisy-chain depending RS-485 signal electrical loading conditions by connected devices.
This figure shows an example connection scheme:
For an example of setting up a Modbus RTU connection see article "Monitor SMA Inverter via RS485".