Solar Lattice

Product

SMA Cluster Controller

ID
prod:sma-cluster-controller
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/prod/sma-cluster-controller
Status
active
Also known as
Cluster Controller, CLCON-10, CLCON-S-10
Category
Monitoring and communications
Make
sma
Product level
family

The SMA Cluster Controller is an indoor-only data logger for monitoring and controlling SMA devices with Speedwire/Webconnect interfaces, in both decentralized PV systems and large PV plants. It builds the Speedwire network, configures device parameters and applies grid operator setpoints for active power limitation and reactive power. It also sends e-mail alarms and pushes data to an FTP server or Sunny Portal. It has fallback modes for a missing or invalid setpoint and for loss of Speedwire communication with the inverters. Changing these settings needs an SMA Grid Guard code and agreement with the grid operator. It can update its own firmware and the inverters' firmware. Automatic updates are downloaded from the SMA Update Portal and installed overnight, and existing settings are kept. SMA advises against running it in parallel with a Data Manager. In plants with Core1 inverters, set up the inverters to match the controller: same firmware and installer password, Webconnect off and automatic time sync off. Known issues: an SD card that is not seated properly causes lost or unapplied settings, and the clock time is lost after more than 14 days out of operation. If the controller shows the wrong number of inverters, check the inverters and network cabling. The inverter wired directly to the controller must be on port X9 or X10. It is the ITE class A device under EN 55022, built for industrial use.

Claims

manufactured_by

c1 drafted · lead SMA

instance_of

c2 drafted · lead Monitoring data logger

SMA describes both the Cluster Controller and the Data Manager as data loggers.

uses_protocol

c3 drafted · lead SMA Speedwire

Sets up the Speedwire network and sends setpoints to inverters over Speedwire.

c4 drafted · lead SMA Webconnect

Monitors and controls SMA devices that have Speedwire/Webconnect interfaces.

c5 drafted · lead FTP push

Can send system data to an FTP server.

implements

c6 drafted · lead Communication-loss fallback

Two fallback types, configured separately: one for a missing or invalid external setpoint, one for a Speedwire communication failure between the controller and the inverters.

c7 drafted · lead Limit maximum active power

Applies and reports back active power limitation setpoints from grid operators and from direct marketing.

c8 drafted · lead Remote firmware update

Updates the controller itself and the inverters. Automatic controller updates come from the SMA Update Portal, are checked daily and are installed overnight.

c9 drafted · lead Monitor key DER data

Reads out, provides and manages PV system data and reports the system's current total active power.

requires

c10 drafted · lead Grid Guard code holder

Conditions: To change fallback settings

Settings must be agreed with the grid operator.

incompatible_with

c11 drafted · lead SMA Data Manager M

Conditions: Parallel operation in the same system

SMA says running both data loggers in parallel is not advisable.

review note: support check: partial - SMA says parallel operation is not advisable, but the passage names 'Data Manager' generally, not Data Manager M, and 'incompatible' is stronger than 'not advisable'.

compatible_with

c12 drafted · lead SMA Com Gateway proposed

Picks up RS485 inverters through the Com Gateway. Connect the Com Gateway to the controller before first commissioning, or wrong time stamps can cause Sunny Portal to discard data.

certified_to

c13 drafted · lead EN 55022 proposed

ITE class A device intended for industrial use.

review note: support check: partial - Passage says ITE class A device as per EN 55022 for industrial use, but not that it is certified.

max_count

c14 drafted · lead ≤ 25 NUM

Conditions: SMA devices with Speedwire/Webconnect interface monitored; the source gives this figure for model CLCON-S-10

The same source also gives 75 for the model it prints as CLCON-S-10, so the model assignment is ambiguous.

c15 drafted · lead ≤ 75 NUM

Conditions: SMA devices with Speedwire/Webconnect interface monitored; the source also prints this figure for model CLCON-S-10

The source prints both 25 and 75 for CLCON-S-10, so which model gets which figure is ambiguous.

Referenced by

Data