DayStar DS-100c User manual
DS-100C
I-V CURVE TRACER
User Manual
Daystar, Inc.
3240 Majestic Ridge
Version 6.02 Las Cruces, NM 880
November 20 575-522-4943
http://www.daystarpv.com
daystar, inc.
daystar, inc.
daystar, inc.
E n e r g y E n g i n e e r i n g
This I-V curve tracer was built to Daystar, Inc. specifications by:
Raydec, Inc.
82 0 La Mirada, Suite 700
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87 09
DS-TRACER Operating Manual page i
CONTENTS
CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................. i
WARNINGS ................................................................................................................................. iv
NOMENCLATURE ....................................................................................................................... v
.0 Installation & Taking IV Curves ........................................................................................
Basic Description ...................................................................................................... 1
IVPC Installation ....................................................................................................... 2
Precautions ............................................................................................................... 2
Connecting Your Computer to the DS-Tracer .......................................................... 3
Connecting a PV Mo ule to the DS-Tracer .............................................................. 3
Starting IVPC ............................................................................................................ 4
Taking an I-V Curve .................................................................................................. 5
If You Get an Error .................................................................................................... 9
Displaying Save Curves .......................................................................................... 10
Summary of Steps for Taking IV Curves .................................................................. 11
2.0 Panel Layout ....................................................................................................................... 2
Pre-Charge Fuse ...................................................................................................... 13
PV & Voltage Sense Connectors .............................................................................. 13
DISCONNECT Switch .............................................................................................. 13
Voltage Range Switch............................................................................................... 14
AC Power Entry & Fuse ............................................................................................ 15
ON-Off Switch ........................................................................................................... 15
Full Charge In icator ................................................................................................ 15
Aux Charge Power & Fuse ....................................................................................... 16
RS-232 Serial Port .................................................................................................... 16
Main USB Port .......................................................................................................... 16
Aux USB Port ............................................................................................................ 16
Irra iance Inputs ....................................................................................................... 17
Thermocouple Inputs ................................................................................................ 17
Aux Analog Inputs ..................................................................................................... 17
page ii DS-TRACER Operating Manual
3.0 Theory of Operation ........................................................................................................... 8
4.0 Maintenance ....................................................................................................................... 2
Battery Charging an Care ....................................................................................... 21
Exterior Cleaning ...................................................................................................... 22
Transportation ........................................................................................................... 23
DS-Tracer Fuses ...................................................................................................... 23
5.0 Pre-Charge Precautions .................................................................................................... 24
6.0 DS- 00C Additional Capabilities ....................................................................................... 25
Temperature & Irra iance Inputs .............................................................................. 25
Temperature Connections.................................................................................. 25
Irra iance Connections ...................................................................................... 25
Multiple Current Ranges ........................................................................................... 26
External Comman Set ............................................................................................ 26
Rea I & V “B” .................................................................................................... 27
Auto Zero I & V “Z” ............................................................................................. 27
Pre-Curve “E” ..................................................................................................... 28
Rea Analog Input “R”........................................................................................ 29
PV V & I Scales Factors “S” ............................................................................... 31
Take I-V Curve “T” ............................................................................................. 33
Rea DS-Tracer Version “V” .............................................................................. 33
Get Information “G” ............................................................................................ 34
Disable Power Down “W” ................................................................................... 36
Enable Power Down “P” ..................................................................................... 36
Transfer Curve Data “X” ..................................................................................... 36
7.0 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................. 38
Appendix A IV Curve ASCII File Format ................................................................................. 39
Appendix B DS-Tracer ERROR CODES ................................................................................ 40
Appendix C DS- 00 USB Drivers ........................................................................................... 42
Appendix D - DS- 00C Technical Specifications .................................................................... 44
DS-TRACER Operating Manual page iii
PV Voltage Measurements ....................................................................................... 44
PV Current Measurements ....................................................................................... 44
RANGE switch settings ............................................................................................. 44
Temperature Measurement ...................................................................................... 44
Irra iance Measurement ........................................................................................... 44
Power Supply ............................................................................................................ 45
Loa Capacitors ........................................................................................................ 45
Approximate Size & Weight ..................................................................................... 45
page iv DS-TRACER Operating Manual
WARNINGS
THE IMPROPER USE OF THIS INSTRUMENT CAN PRESENT AN
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD THAT CAN CAUSE DEATH OR
SERIOUS INJURY.
THIS INSTRUMENT SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS DESCRIBED IN THIS
OPERATIONS MANUAL.
***
WARNING THIS INSTRUMENT MAY PRESENT AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK
HAZARD WHICH CAN RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY IF THE
FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED:
• THIS INSTRUMENT MUST ONLY BE USED FOR TAKING ELECTRICAL CURRENT
AND VOLTAGE (I-V) CURVES OF PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SOLAR MODULES.
• THIS INSTRUMENT MUST NOT BE USED BEYOND ITS OPERATING RANGE.
• THIS INSTRUMENT MUST NOT BE USED BY PERSONNEL WHO DO NOT HAVE
EXPERIENCE HANDLING HIGH VOLTAGE DC AND PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES.
• THIS INSTRUMENT MUST NOT BE USED DURING RAIN, SNOW, SLEET, OR IN
ANY AREA OF HIGH MOISTURE SUCH AS AREAS WITH STANDING WATER OR
MUD.
• THIS INSTRUMENT MUST NOT BE USED IF IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING AS
DESCRIBED IN THIS USER MANUAL .
!
DS-TRACER Operating Manual page v
NOMENCLATURE
A Amperes or Amp
Hz Hertz
I Current
I
pk
Current at peak power
Isc Short-Circuit Current: The maximum current a photovoltaic cell can
generate with the output terminals shorted
I-V Current-Voltage
V hotovoltaic
V Voltage
V
HIGH
High voltage range < 600 Volts
V
LOW
Low voltage range < 150 Volts
Voc Open-Circuit Voltage: The maximum voltage a photovoltaic cell can
generate with the output terminals open circuited
V
pk
Voltage at peak power
DS- 00C Operating Manual IVPC Installation & Quick-Start page
1.0 Installation & Taking IV Cu ves
Basic Descripti n
The standard DS-100C Tracer has two user selectable current ranges (10 and
100 Amperes), three automatically selected oltage ranges (600, V, 60 V, and 6
Volts), two irradiance and two temperature measurement inputs. Unless
otherwise noted, this manual refers to standard DS-100C models.
Note: The three measurement oltage ranges listed here should not be confused
with the load ranges (V
HIGH
and V
LOW
) selected with the range switch.
A computer running the IVPC for Windows program controls the DS-Tracer.
(See the IVPC Reference Manual). The computer running the IVPC application
may be connected to the DS-Tracer by RS-232 serial or USB.
Most DS-Tracer operations are performed with the IVPC program. Refer to the
IVPC manual for details on operating the DS100C IV Tracer. Howe er, the basic
steps for using the DS-Tracer are:
• Connect the DS-Tracer to the computer (either RS-232 or USB).
• Turn on the tracer power and connect DS-Tracer test leads to V array.
• Connect pyranometers and thermocouples to DS-Tracer.
• Install and run IV C for Windows (see the IV C manual for details).
• From File menu select New I-V Curve.
• Enter curve information and take curve.
• Save curve data.
To proceed with the Installation & Quick-Start, you will need the following:
• DS-Tracer I-V curve tracer and test leads.
• IV C CD-ROM.
• C computer running the Microsoft Windows® operating system.
page 2 IVPC Installation & Quick-Start DS- 00C Operating Manual
• Serial or USB cable to connect your computer to the DS-Tracer.
IVPC Installati n
IVPC is written for use with Windows® 98/2000/XP which must be running to
operate IVPC. To install IVPC, insert the IVPC CD-ROM in your computer. Open
the IVPC CD-ROM and run the “setup.exe” program by double click with the
mouse.
The setup program will prompt you for information on where you want to install
IVPC. If you are unsure, use the defaults which create an IVPC sub-directory off
of the root directory on dri e C:. IVPC Setup automatically installs the necessary
files in the IVPC directory and makes additions to your Windows system
directory.
Precauti ns
There are se eral precautions to obser e before using the DS-Tracer and IVPC
to take I-V cur es.
• The DS-Tracer battery should be fully charged. The DS-100C has a universal
power supply that works with AC line voltages from 85 V
ac
to 264 V
ac
50/60 Hz.
• The DS-Tracer DISCONNECT switch should be in the OFF position and the DS-
Tracer power should be turned on when making or breaking connections to a V
system or when changing the voltage range switch.
• The DS-Tracer should be connected to the V array through a V system
disconnect switch capable of interrupting the short-circuit current of the array at
peak-power voltage. This ensures that you can disconnect the DS-Tracer if a
problem occurs. Refer to the DISCONNECT switch discussion in section 2.0
anel Layout for details.
NOTE: The DS-Tracer DISCONNECT s itch is not rated to interrupt high
voltage systems producing more than five amps.
• Do not connect the DS-Tracer to anything other than an open-circuited V
system. Be sure the V array is electrically isolated from power conditioning
equipment such as charge controllers or inverters.
!
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