This external meter is designed to measure energy consumption and exportation of the home being monitored.
Installing the Meter
- The meter should should be installed in one of the following places: inside of a NEMA rated box near the service panel or in the service panel itself
- Inside of the service panel (if there is room) - this is the ideal place to install it
- Inside of a NEMA rated box installed next to the service panel - second best option
- Inside of the inverter wire box as a last resort
- Multiple wires will need to be ran from the service panel to the wire box in this case
- Two sets of wires (four in total) of #14-16 AWG wire for the CTs
- Three wires for the reference breaker (#12-14 AWG)
- L1
- L2
- Neutral
- Multiple wires will need to be ran from the service panel to the wire box in this case
- Inside of the service panel (if there is room) - this is the ideal place to install it
- Secure the 35mm DIN rail and then snap the meter onto the rail
Installing the Current Transformers (CTs)
- Two CTs should have been sent along with the meter
- Turn off AC power before clamping the CTs around the conductor cables
- If this is not possible, be extra careful when installing the CTs
- Install the CTs around the conductor cables supplying the service panel (see photo above)
- Split-core CTs can be opened and closed - start by opening both CTs
- The label on the CT needs to face towards the utility and away from the service panel (VERY IMPORTANT)
- Clamp one CT around the L1 wire - it should snap closed
- Clamp the second CT around the L2 wire - it should also snap closed
- Note: some service panels are supplied by bars instead of cables
- If this is the case, then a different type of CT will be required
- Each current transformer has two signal wires coming off of it - these need to land in the meter's top right corner (detailed instructions below)
- There is a positive (+) and negative (-) wire for each CT
- Be sure to land the wires correctly or consumption will not be measured accurately
- L1 CT gets the positive and negative wires from the CT around the L1 wire
- L2 CT gets the positive and negative wires from the CT around the L2 wire
Wiring the Meter:
- Verify that power is OFF before making connections.
- Install a double-pull 15A breaker (reference breaker) in the service panel where the meter is installed
- If there is not enough room for a breaker then use quad breakers to make space
- Double-landing is not recommended, especially in the inverter's AC input terminals
- Connect the AC side wires (meter input) using the 5-pin terminal block:
- Loosen the appropriate screws on the 5-pin terminal block.
- Connect each AC wire to the appropriate screw terminal and verify that the lines match the symbols printed on the meter front label.
- L1 wire to L1 terminal of the 15A breaker
- L2 wire to the L2 terminal of the 15A breaker
- Neutral wire to the neutral bar in the service panel
- Ground wire to the ground bar in the service panel
- Tighten the screws making sure the wires are fully inserted and cannot be pulled out easily.
- Insert the 5-pin terminal block into the socket on the meter making sure it is fully seated in the meter.
- The 15A reference breaker can be turned on - the three lights on the meter should turn on if it is wired properly
- Connect the RS485 twisted pair cable to the 4-pin terminal block in the top left corner of the meter:
- Connect two wires to the A+ and B- terminals, and connect the shield to the G terminal.
- Insert the 4-pin terminal block into the socket on the meter making sure it is fully seated in the meter
- Return the terminal block end-stops to the sides of the meter.
Connecting to the Inverter
- A technician screwdriver will be needed for this step as the terminals are spring-clamp
- First, an RS485 communication cable will need to be ran between the meter and the inverter
- Land the A wire from the meter in terminal 10 of the communication port inside of the inverter
- This is the terminal furthest to the right (MTR485A)
- Land the B wire from the meter in terminal 9 of the communication port inside of the inverter
- This is the terminal just to the left of the furthest right terminal (MTR485B)
- Land the ground wire from the meter in the ground bar of the service panel or inverter
- On the screen perform the following steps:
- Press Enter
- Scroll to Advanced Settings and press Enter
- Press Down, Down, Up, Enter (0010) for the password
- Scroll down to Storage Energy Set and press Enter
- When "Meter Select" is highlighted press Enter
- Select "1Ph Meter" and press Enter
- Return to the main menu using the ESC button
- Enter the Information menu and look for a section titled "Meter Info - External"
- This should display grid voltages and house power importation/exportation values
- If no information is displayed then the meter communication wires need to be checked at both ends
- If communication wires are ok then the meter itself is having issues - check voltages at the input terminals
- If AC voltages are being displayed but no current is then check the CTs and CT wires