To overcome this distance limitation and maintain reliability of the serial network, we use of a special telecommunication device called a RS232 extender.
The RS232 Extender
| The Gefen RS232 extenders will be used to extend the RS232 connection from the Fronius IG grid inverters to the remote location, with over one hundred feet of Cat5e cable. |  |
 | The Gefen RS232 extenders will perfectly reproduce all 9 pins from one end to the other and have the ability to provide power over Ethernet to the second extender, saving on extra cables and power supplies. |
The extender units act as a sender and receiver pair on the RS232 network. Allowing the grid inverter's data logger to send Windows computer information to the Fronius access software.
The RS232 extender sender unit connects to Fronius IG grid inverter at one end and the RS232 extender receiver at the computer terminal at the other end.
Then the Cat5e cable connects the send and receive extender units, over 300 metres away. The sender unit is powered by a 5 volt power supply, which will also power the receiver via the Cat5e cable.
The Fronius IG Access Software
The free Fronius Solar access software is available for download from their corporate website at http://www.fronius.com. The software provides advanced onsite data analysis and archiving options for the PC. As an administrative tool, it offers full setup options for all system components in Solar Net. |  |
The software is easy to install on the Windows system, with a helpful installer wizard.
Once installed, the software is located in the programs section of the windows start menu.
The Fronius access software splash screen displays the general energy output information for the photovoltaic solar power system.
Under the administration menu, the new PV system can be added and configured for the RS232 connection back to the grid inverter's data logger.
In the next part of this series, I will be looking at connecting the monitoring software and data logger to collect information from the school's solar power system, and explaining the features and advantages that computerised power monitoring can have for an organisation.
Other PV Solar Powered Systems and Concepts
A PV solar power system has many other applications apart from grid power installations. One example is NASA's Helios aircraft, remotely piloted to fly at high altitudes.
The electrically powered Helios is constructed mostly of composite materials such as carbon fibre, graphite epoxy, Kevlar, styrofoam, and a thin, transparent plastic skin.
The main tubular wing spar is made of carbon fibre. The spar, which is thicker on the top and bottom to absorb the constant bending motions that occur during flight, is also wrapped with Nomex and Kevlar for additional strength.
The wing ribs are made of epoxy and carbon fibre. Shaped styrofoam is used for the wing's leading edge and a durable clear plastic film covers the entire wing.
The Helios collects a variety of information in the atmosphere, and runs mainly on solar power.
On August 14, 2001, the Helios Prototype, piloted remotely by Greg Kendall, reached an altitude of 96,863 feet, a world record for sustained horizontal flight by a winged aircraft.
The altitude was more than 11,000 feet or more than 2 miles (3.2 km) above the previous record for sustained flight by a winged aircraft. In addition, the aircraft spent more than 40 minutes above 96,000 feet.
Tragically the Helios crashed over the Pacific Ocean on 26 June 2003.
I am glad to read your post!! pretty informative..thanks for providing such a nice post. Keep sharing more.
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