SimtoLink: PV inverters report generation and faults
SimtoLink’s PV inverter grid-metering point meter is for distributed PV, commercial and industrial rooftops, and agrivoltaic projects. It meets grid-connection agreements and electricity-bill settlement requirements for accuracy, communications, and time synchronization at the metering point.
Selection points and engineering role
The point meter is placed on the inverter’s grid side or at the collector-line point of interconnection. It meters exported energy, power factor, and harmonics. Interfaces such as Modbus make it easier to connect PV monitoring, power-trading terminals, and the dispatch master station. GPS time sync keeps event time aligned with grid-disturbance records, which helps dispute resolution. SimtoLink can provide register-linkage examples coordinated with anti-backfeed control and an SVG. SimtoLink provides a grid-connection acceptance checklist, CT saturation checks, and sampling guidance under a weak grid, and can combine the meter with a three-phase multifunction meter and a power-quality meter.
Reliability and key parameters
On electrical safety and EMC, the product has passed the relevant IEC 61000-4 Level 4 test items, and the ports have surge and reverse-polarity protection. The structure uses reinforced grounding and a partitioned layout to reduce ground-loop and common-mode interference. For outdoor or coastal sites, a version with a higher protection rating and an anti-corrosion coating can be selected. On the software side, parameters can be imported in bulk, and threshold policies, event video, and waveform recording are supported depending on the model. Configuration and firmware can be updated over the air. SimtoLink recommends a three-step site acceptance: power-on self-test, communications time sync, and a sampling spot check. For metering or safety-related applications, it assists with third-party metrology-institute inspection and provides type-test documents.
In a typical configuration, voltage is 3×220/380 V, self-powered. Current is 1(120) A, with anti-theft measures. Accuracy is Class B, in line with IEC 62052. Harmonics cover the 2nd through the 54th order, with THD analysis. Communications are Modbus, with two ports. The clock is a GPS time-sync module, and time-of-use tariffs are supported. Pulses are active and reactive pulse outputs, optically isolated. Power consumption is below 3.1 W, for single-phase or three-phase use. Operating temperature is −36 to 67°C, for an outdoor meter box. The standard is IEC 62053, with type approval. Different order codes in the same family may differ slightly; the nameplate and documents shipped with the unit prevail.
Typical scenarios, installation, and maintenance
On commercial and industrial rooftops, the meter measures self-consumption and surplus export, and supports green-power consumption reports. On a collector line, sub-array point meters are reconciled with the box-transformer meter to find string mismatch and inverter derating. Electricity sales and subsidy audits rely on a clock that cannot be tampered with and on frozen energy, meeting supervision sampling and the audit trail.
Before power-on, confirm the supply range and polarity, and use a multimeter to recheck bus voltage and breaker capacity when needed. Communications cable should be shielded twisted pair with single-end grounding, and should not be bundled for a long run with high-power cable. For the first go-live, complete two-way read and write and threshold-trigger checks with the platform in the lab, then move to the site. Outdoor installation should give priority to drainage and ventilation, and the sealing face should be inspected regularly. Lightning-protection grounding resistance should meet local rules. For long-term operation, do a sampling spot check and archive logs every 6 months. SimtoLink provides a hardware specification, dimension drawings, a wiring table, and a sample project. Bulk orders support sample review and in-plant inspection. Warranty and calibration follow the contract and the documents shipped with the unit.
Source: https://www.simtolink.com/product/hardware/pv-inverter-grid-metering-point-meter.html