Reduxi Controller connects to Huawei SUN2000 via Modbus TCP/IP using Huawei SmartLogger. Solar plant flexibility can reduce electricity costs by 30%.

1. Introduction

Reduxi system enables communication and control of the Huawei SUN2000 inverter. Communication is enabled through Modbus TCP/IP protocol. Reduxi Controller and SmartLogger must be connected to the same local area network (LAN) so Controller can access the SmartLogger and consequently to Inverters, which are linked to SmartLogger with RS485 serial connection.

Symbolic image of communication between Reduxi Controller and Huawei SUN2000 inverter.

2. Reduxi Controller Network settings

Information on how to connect Reduxi Controller to the network (LAN or WLAN) is available on the URL: Reduxi Controller.

Once connected to the network, it is recommended that static IP is set so the Redux Controller. When the static IP is set, the exact information about the subnet in which Reduxi Controller is available.

3. Huawei SmartLogger Network settings

Once the Redxui Controller side of the network setting is complete, the same process needs to be done for the SmartLogger. 

To access the software SmartLogge interface, please check the instructions of SmartLogger user manual or simply if you know the local IP address of SmartLogger use this IP address, and open it in your browser. 

When you will be logged in the SmartLogger:

• Set the IP and Mask of the SmartLogger, an example is given for the Wired connection. Under Ethernet2 set the IP and Subnet mask, image below:

• Modbus TCP/IP settings, where Link settings must be set to Enable(unlimited) like on the image below:

• Modbus TCP/IP settings, where you set:
  • Link settings. Enable,
  • Address mode: Logical address (must be set to logical!)
  • Logger address: set the SmartLogger logic address,
  • Fast scheduling: Disable.

Image below:

• Maintenance settings have the role of overviewing which devices are connected and showing the status and parameters belonging to each device, the image below:

3. Testing communication between the Reduxi Controller and SmartLogger

A few criteria conditions need to be met for successful communication between the Reduxi Controller and SmartLogger. 

Criteria:

• Reduxi Controller and SmartLogger need to be the same subnet, for example, IP of Reduxi Controller is: 192.168.1.100, and SmartLogger IP is: 192.168.1.101
• The Controller and SmartLogge don't need to be in the same subnet, this case is much more complex and is usually not in use. Here firewalls between the Controller subnet and SmartLogger subnet need to be open at least for the set IP of both devices. Also, firewall exception rules for ports need to be enabled properly. This option is not recommended.
• Port 502 on the SmartLogger side needs to be enabled for Modbus TCP/IP communication, which is done with Modbus TCP/IP enabled in the SmartLogger application. 

• In case there is another firewall between Controller and SmartLogger port 502 needs to open on the firewall as well.

3.1 Ping test from Reduxi Controller to SmartLogger

Once both devices are connected to the same network, a "ping test" can be performed to make sure that the Reduxi Controller can access the SmartLogger and other criteria is met from previous point.

Login to the Reduxi configurator application and click on the "Setting" button down left on the home page.

To access a "Ping test" addition three steps (click) are needed:

Click one: + sign System; Click two: + sign Tools; Click three: Ping test

Ping test:

To perform the ping test just enter the IP for Reduxi SmartLogger and click the "Test" button.

Ping test can have two responses:

1. Ping test is successful:

1. Ping test failed:

4. Adding a new device (Huawei SUN2000)

To add a new device (Huawei SUN2000) or to edit an existing one, the following points are presented.

4.1 Add new device

Log in to the Reduxi configurator application and press the "Add device" button.

4.2 Select the device you would like to add (Basic settings)

In the first step, select the basic parameters of the device you want to add:

• Device type: Solar power plant,
• Tip: Huawei SUN2000,
• Name: Specify the name of the device.

4.3 Communication channel

Fill in the parameters for communication to SmartLogger, which are:

• Connection: TCP/IP,
• IP: fill in the IP from SmartLogger,
• Port: always 502,
• Modbus unit ID: fill in the Logic address for the Modbus setting of the SmartLogger.

4.4 Communication test 

Under all settings in the Communication channel, the "Test communication" button is placed, which is used to perform the test. 

The communication test can return two answers:

1. Communication is working properly, the image below:

2. Communication is not working properly, the image below:

4.5 Advanced Settings

The advanced settings are arbitrary and depend on the specific needs of the location where the Reduxi Controller is installed. After finishing all the advanced settings, press the "Done" button on the lower right side.

4.6 Last measurements

After successfully establishing communication with the device, measured values obtained from the device can be double-checked as an additional test. Click on the "Device" section on the home page of the Reduxi configurator, and choose the newly added Huawei SUN2000 inverter in the tree structure. 

If we want the device to be managed by a strategy, the management mode must be set to "Automatic", but if we switch to manual mode, we can test the operation of different states. 

After successfully adding the device and checking the values, the device can be inspected and controlled via the Reduxi application.