User manual

47TriStar MPPT Operator’s Manual
5.0 Networking and Communication
5.1 Introduction
The TriStar MPPT provides several communication options. The TriStar MPPT uses a proprietary
protocol for the MeterBus
TM
network and the non-proprietary open standard MODBUS
TM
and
MODBUS TCP/IP
TM
protocols for RS-232, EIA-485, and ethernet networks. Additionally, HTTP,
SMTP, and SNMP are supported for web page, email, and network message support.
Morningstar’s MSView
TM
PC software provides system monitoring and logging capabilities via
RS-232, EIA-485, and ethernet. MSView
TM
PC software is available for free on our website at:
http://www.morningstarcorp.com.
Further, hardware and third party software that supports the MODBUS
TM
protocol can also be
used to communicate with a TriStar MPPT.
Multiple communication ports can be used simultaneously. For example, a TriStar MPPT may
be connected to a MeterBus
TM
network for on-site system metering, connected to the internet for
remote monitoring, and connected to an EIA-485 network to bridge data from other controllers in
the system to an internet connection. Note that the RS-232 and EIA-485 connections share hard-
ware and therefore cannot be used simultaneously.
Table 5-1 below provides a summary of supported features for each communication interface.
MeterBus
RS-232
EIA-485
Ethernet
Display system/network data on a TriStar meter
●
Connect a TSMPPT to a Relay Driver or other MS Accessory
●
Connect multiple TSMPPT together in a network
● ● ●
View and log data with MSView
TM
PC Software
● ● ●
View logged data stored in the TriStar MPPT internal memory
● ● ● ●
Update TriStar MPPT fi rmware
●
Program custom settings
● ● ●
View data in a web browser
●
Email notifi cation
●
Text Message Alerts
●
SNMP Alerts
●
Table 5-1. Communication summary