ePowerControl MC series
Have questions on the product ? Wonder how to operate it ? Need documentation ? This page is for you.
Getting started
You’re new to ePowerControl MC and need to learn more about it ? Please refer to the dedicated user manual to access detailed guidelines and in-depth explanation of the product, the use cases, the installation, configuration, and commissioning.
You’re interested in buying ePowerControl MC and wish to have a quick overview of it ? Please refer to the product datasheet to learn more on its features, use cases and technical specifications. Or contact our sales team by clicking here.
Ready to start installing the product ? Jump to the Installation and commissioning process section.
Documentation ePowerControl MC
Installation and commissioning process
Do you want to install ePowerControl MC and not sure where to start ?
Check out the steps below for a quick guided procedure, or refer to the quick start guide for a more detailed one.
The following points need to be checked to have a successful, efficient, and quick commissioning.
- Carefully reading safety instructions on the product user manual.
- The power supply of all the devices used in the control needs to be taken from the load side. (applicable for the UPS as well)
- Modbus RTU :Shielded twisted cable must be used for RS485 wiring : The data+ and data- should be chosen from the same twisted pair in order to prevent electromagnetic interference. The ground should be chosen from another pair.
- Modbus TCP : RJ45 Ethernet cable for TCP wiring.
- RJ45 cable and a Computer with a configured Ethernet port in DHCP mode are needed to access the Elum configuration tool (eConf).
Please, refer to the commissioning prerequisites document for more details.
ePowerControl MC comes in a pre-wired Elum casing. Small steps are needed to finish up the installation on site:
The power connectors are wired to a single screw terminal block on the left side of the DIN Rail :
- Connect the phase wire to the red/brown wire,
- Connect the neutral wire to the blue wire,
- Connect the ground wire to the green/yellow wire,
- If a UPS was provided with the ePowerControl, connect the battery red/black wire to the transformer,
- Close the circuit breaker, the power LED will light up.
It takes about 30 seconds for the system to boot up.
Once the power supply is connected, the power LED will light up.
After 60 seconds, the operating system will be ready, and the power LED will turn solid green.
Modbus RTU :
Compatible RS485 devices can be connected to serial ports of the MC Central Computing Unit using two shielded twisted pair connectors.
Please use a surge protection to avoid any issues on the communication ports.
Please refer to the connect & config guide for more details on how to connect and configure your device.
Modbus TCP :
Compatible Ethernet devices can be connected to the LAN ports 1, 2 and 3 of the MC CPU using a RJ45 cable.
Please use a surge protection to avoid any issues on the communication ports.
Please refer to the connect & config guide for more details on how to connect and configure your Device.
For both cases, please make sure to enable the dynamic power control of the PV inverters when applicable, and to set the Current transformer ratio, the voltage transformer ratio as well as the system type for the meters.
- Connect your laptop to the configuration port of the LAN port 4 for the MC.
- Open your favorite browser, and login to eConf by entering the following IP address: 192.168.4.127
(the Ethernet port of your computer should be configured in DHCP mode.) - For the next steps, follow the instructions in the video below :
Refer to the troubleshooting section in the help center.
FAQ ePowerControl MC
What is the N+2 reliability process (secondary islanding)?
- During GENSET Prime, in case the SoC exceeds the configured threshold, the controller launches the automatic transition to BESS Prime.
- During BESS prime, in case the SoC drops below the configured minimum threshold, the controller launches the automatic transition to GENSET Prime.
How is the GENSET Start/Stop managed ?
ePowerControl MC offers several options to manage the Start/Stop of the gensets:
- Genset Start/Stop Management on BESS SoC base,
- Genset start/Stop for Power assist (also BESS prime),
- Genset start/stop for peak shaving (Grid prime).
What is the process of the GENSET Start/Stop Management on BESS SoC base?
The MC controller starts one or multiple gensets when BESS SoC is under the configured “SoC Start” setting threshold;
Once the Gensets started, two options are available for the control strategy of the Active power :
- Cycle charging: the active gensets charge the battery to the maximum charging threshold,
- Load following: the active gensets produce the load active power, while the BESS is charged using excess produced PV.
The gensets will be stopped when the BESS SoC is above the configured “SoC Stop” setting threshold.
What is the GENSET Power Assist for BESS process ?
What is the process of the GENSET Start/Stop for Peak Shaving (Grid prime) ?
The controller manages the Start/Stop of the Genset in grid following mode on load condition to keep net imported power from the grid below the configured threshold.
Only one unit (BESS or gensets) at a time can perform the Peak Shaving function.
Is BESS Peak Shaving supported ?
ePowerControl MC controls the active power setpoints sent to the BESS so as to discharge in time of peak load and keep net imported power from the grid below the configured threshold.
Only one unit at a time (BESS or gensets) can perform the Peak Shaving function.
Does MC ensure the seamless transition between grid and battery during a shutdown?
Our standard controllers do not manage seamless transition directly, but can be used in coordination with various systems controlling it such as UPS and ATS.
Please contact our sales for more information at sales@elum-energy.com.
Is a load control strategy included ?
Does the solution support BESS dispatch between batteries of different brands?
In case of multiple batteries of different brands, ePowerControl MC dispatches the total BESS active power setpoints to the different BESS configured on eConf. The produced dispatch ensures that no BESS exceeds the SoC configured range or the active power target range.
How is the PV Optimization done ?
The PV Optimization function sends active power setpoints to the BESS, running generators and PV inverters to ensure the maximum exploitation of the PV resource.
