Suntrack™ Network Control Unit

Technical Data Sheet

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Suntrack™ Network Control Unit

Main Features Description

• Robust design, outdoor rated The Suntrack™ Network Control Unit,

• Comprehensive functionality implements a gateway between the tracker
• Fully configurable network and the SCADA system that can
monitor and control trackers on site. The
• Quick, easy commissioning process
NCU provides the capability of detecting a
• Isolated RS-485 cabled or ZigBee
high wind and snow conditions with the
wireless communication variants
support of peripheral sensors connected to
• Wide operating temperature ranges the expander I/O unit or to the Suntrack™
• Online managed UPS function RSU. Typical actuations include the NCU to
• Universal electrical grid input range determine if winds reach a preset threshold
• IEC, UL certified and sending trackers to safe position; and
• Encrypted wireless mesh network triggering snow alarms once a limit is
• Remote operability exceeded.
• 3D-Backtracking algorithm
• Wind and snow stow – inc. iStow Alarms transmitted by the RSU or the
• Field string cleaning position function Sensors inputs read by the I/O array are
• Remote firmware update treated by the Network Controller Unit
• Optional expandable Ethernet input (NCU) through the cabled or wireless
array for peripheral sensors. communication network.
• Optional fan heater for extended low
temperatures
• Ethernet Network connection Switch
with RJ45 or Fiber port, Un-managed
(as standard) and managed options.
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1. Connections and Controls

Label Description

1 Central system

2 Expandable digital input array

3 Power Supply with battery charger

4 Gateway (Ethernet to Zigbee/RS485)

Un-managed /managed Ethernet network

5
switch

6 Protection devices

7 Batteries

8 Distribution terminal blocks

9 Connection & service terminal blocks

10 PTC fan heater 1

11 RF Power divider 2

12 Expandable analog input array 3

13 RS485 Protections 4

14 Isolating transformer 5

1
Only model “NCU -…- L”.
2
Only model “NCU -…- ZB”.
3
Only model “NCU -…- ZB -…- S2”.
4
Only model “NCU -…- RS”.
5
Only model “NCU - AC2”.
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ZigBee models (NCU-AC1-…-ZB-GW2-B) 6

6 5

1
3

8 2

7 11

Zigbee models (NCU-AC1-…-ZB-GW2-B-…-S2) 6

12

6
Refer to “Model Selection Guide” at the end of this document.
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ZigBee UL models (NCU-AC1-…-ZB-GW2-U-L-S2) 7

5
3

1
7
12

2 4

6
11

9
10

ZigBee UL models (NCU-AC2-…-ZB-GW2-U) 7

14

7
Refer to “Model Selection Guide” at the end of this document.
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RS485 models (NCU-AC1-…-RS-GW3-B) 8

Basic certifications low extended temperature models (NCU-…-B-L) 8

10

8
Refer to “Model Selection Guide” at the end of this document.
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2. Mechanical Characteristics

Vent

Fixing holes

Fixing holes

Vent

NCU-…-U
NCU-…-B
NCU-…-MS*-…-B
2.1 Enclosure material Polyester
2.2 Weight (kg) 9 12 17
Width 400 400
Dimensions 10
2.3 Depth 500 600
(mm)
Height 200 230
Mounting Holes quantity 4
2.4
System Diameter (mm) 5.5
Quantity 12
2.5 Cable gland
Type 2 x M25, 5 x M20, 5 x M16
Quantity 2
2.6 Protective Vent
Type M12

9
For model “NCU - AC2 -…” increase 1000 g, for model “NCU -… - L” increase 700 g.
10
Drawing information always prevails due to possible exceptions.
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3. Environmental Characteristics
Item Value Remarks
Not designed for direct exposure to
3.1 Equipment use class Outdoor
sunlight
-20 to +60 °C NCU-…-B-S models
-20 to +40 °C NCU-…-U-S models
Ambient Operating
3.2 -40 to +60 °C NCU-…-B-L models
Temperature
-40 to +40 °C NCU-…-U-L models
Storage -20 to +25 °C

Ambient Operating 20 to 90 %
3.3
Humidity 11
Storage 10 to 95 %
3.4 Altitude, Operating 12 < 2000 m
Ingress of Solid Objects and Liquids,
IP 65 tested per IEC 61439.
The box and the cable glands IP66.
Ingress of Solid Objects and Liquids,
3.5 Degree of Protection 13
Type 4X tested per UL 508 (only for models with
“Extended UL Certification”)
External Mechanical Impacts on
IK 10
Enclosure, tested per IEC 62262:2002
Resistance to ultra-violet
3.6 IEC 62208:2011 Refer to standard.
(UV) radiation
Polyester Box and no metallic hinge. Nor
3.7 Corrosion Resistance Total14
metal parts
Sinusoidal Vibration; 10Hz @3.5mm, 10-
3.8 Vibration IEC 60068-2-6:2007
150Hz @2g, 120 min, 3 axes
5g/11ms -15g/11ms -10g/16ms
3.9 Shock IEC 60068-2-27:2009

Under no circumstance should these units be used outside the operating ranges specified in this
document. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a fault of the power supply and void
the warranty.

11
Non-condensing.
12
Maximum operating temperature must be reduced by 5ºC per 1000 meters above specified altitude.
13
Only valid when installed according to instructions, and with all external cables and protective caps attached.
14
Only visual degradation on the color of the gold part of the antenna connector.
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4. Electrical Characteristics
4.1 General

NCU-AC1-…-B NCU-AC1-…-U NCU-AC2-…-U NCU-AC3-…-U

15
4.1.1 Nominal Input Voltage 100-240 VAC 220-240 VAC 277 VAC 120 VAC
4.1.2 Input Frequency 50/60 Hz
0.8 A@115V 1.8 A@115V
4.1.3 Max. Input Current 16 0.95 A 1.8 A
0.6 A@230V 1.1 A@230V

4.2 Circuits isolation

NCU-AC1
NCU-AC2-…-S NCU-AC2-…-L
NCU-AC3
Quantity 1
Type Single phase
Equipment Input voltage 277 VAC
4.2.1 N/A
transformer Output voltage 240 VAC
Power 100 VA 350 VA
Rated Frequency (f) 50/60 Hz

4.3 Protection devices

NCU-AC1-…-U
NCU-AC1-…-B NCU-AC3-…-U
NCU-AC2-…-U
Quantity 1
Type of Residual Current A type
Residual Rated Residual Current 30 mA
4.3.1 Current Circuit Rated Current (In) 63 A N/A
Breaker Number of Poles 2
Rated Voltage (Ur) 230 V
Rated Frequency (f) 50...60 Hz
Quantity 1
Number of Poles 2 1
Miniature Current Rating 6A
4.3.2
Circuit Breaker Tripping Characteristics Type C
Rated Voltage 400 VAC 277 VAC
Breaking Capacity 6 kA 10 kA
Quantity 1
Number of Poles 1
Supplementary Current Rating 2A
4.3.3 N/A
Protector Tripping Characteristics Type C
Rated Voltage 48 VDC
Breaking Capacity 10 kA

15
According to the correlation between input voltage and surge arrester protection devices.
16
For NCU -…-L Touch-Safe PTC Fan Heater input power 250W needs to be added.
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NCU-AC1-…-U
NCU-AC1-…-B NCU-AC3-…-U
NCU-AC2-…-U
Quantity 2 1
Number of Poles 1 Modular TN
SPD according to EN
61643-11 / IEC 61643- type 2 / class II
4.3.4 Surge arrester 11
Max. continuous
operating voltage 320 V 275 V 150 V
(a.c.) (UC)
Nominal discharge
5kA 20kA
current (8/20 µs) (In)

4.4 Power Supply with Battery Charger

NCU -…- B NCU -…- U

17
Type AC/DC with Battery Charger
4.4.1 Input Voltage Range, Max. 90 – 264 VAC
Source, Typ. Electrical Grid
4.4.2 Input Frequency 50/60 Hz
0.8 A / 115VAC 1.8 A / 115VAC
4.4.3 Max. Input Current
0.6 A / 230VAC 1.1 A / 230VAC
4.4.4 Power 40 W 96 W

4.5 Battery
NCU -…- B NCU -…- U
4.5.1 Battery Type Backup
4.5.2 Number of units 2 1
4.5.3 Case ABS Battery module
4.5.4 Battery Chemistry Valve regulated Lead Acid with AGM
4.5.5 Battery Capacity, nominal 1300 mAh 1200 mAh
4.5.6 Dimensions [LxWxH] 97x48x52 mm 126.6x55x153 mm
4.5.7 Battery Autonomy, typical ~ 1 hour
4.5.8 Electrical fixing configuration Faston Cage clamp

Batteries
The batteries inside the NCU, are backup batteries, that need to be replaced every two years, or if
making the annual maintenance test you detect that the battery doesn’t charge, or you detect any
damage on it.

17
Acc. to IEEE Std. 519 - requires THD < 5% and largest harmonic < 3% of fundamental.
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4.6 Expanded sensors

Item Value Remarks

4.6.1 Signal Type RS485 or 4-20mA
4.6.2 Output Voltage 24 VDC

Do not substitute any internal components unless specific permission from Suntrack by P4Q.
Any component change can cause the loss of the certification or the warranty of the product.
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5. Communication – Field Network

5.1 Wired
Item Value Remarks
Multidrop with line terminations.
5.1.1 Interface RS-485
Shielded, twisted-pair cable.
5.1.2 Protocol Modbus RTU
5.1.3 Encryption N/A
Cable requirements:
- Characteristic Imp. 100-120 ohm
- Conductor DC Res. < 90 ohm/km
5.1.4 Bus cable length 18 < 1200 m
- Shield DC Res. < 10 ohm/km
- Mutual Cap. < 45 pF/m
- Ground Cap. < 67 pF/m
5.1.5 Stub cable length <1m Branches are as short as possible.
5.1.6 Data Rate 19.2 kbps
Maximum number of slaves connected
5.1.7 Number of devices Up to 120 per gateway RS485 port without
repeater.

5.2 Wireless
Item Value Remarks
5.2.1 Interface ISM 2.4 GHz
5.2.2 Protocol Modbus over ZigBee
5.2.3 Encryption AES-128
Maximum line-of-sight distance (ideal
1200 m
laboratory conditions, no obstacles)
Typical maximum distance between
5.2.4 Signal range 19 90 to 150 m
TCUs in North/South direction
Typical maximum number of TCUs to
20 to 50 units
the East and to the West of the NCU
Estimation of effective speed –
5.2.5 Data Throughput 10.0 kbps depends on installation, environment,
etc
5.1.6 Number of devices 20 Up to 100 Maximum number of slaves connected.

18
Reduced by the installation quality.
19
Typical values for single-row PV tracker field environments – strongly dependent on tracker design, antenna
installation, surrounding structures and terrain, interference sources, etc. Contact P4Q for site layout assessment.
20
This number will be highly influenced by the layout of the plant. it is recommended to consult P4Q for the
reliability of communications.
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6. Control

Item Value Remarks

6.1 NCU Scan 20 s21 Slave data update.
Adaptive backtracking for uneven
3D Backtracking
terrains
Configurable angle restrictions
i-Stow
Additional according to wind speed
6.2
Functionalities Battery saving procedure for cloudy
Winter Mode
days
Self-learning procedure for East/West
Dynamic Limits
Limits
Mobile App
6.3 Commissioning Tools Computer Program
Web Interface
6.4 Monitoring Tools22 Web Interface On request

21
Depend on the number of TCUs and net encryption
22
Is needed between 3 to 5Mbps of internet connection
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7. Standards Compliance

7.1 For models with “Basic Certifications”

Standard Remarks

7.1.1 Electromagnetic Compatibility

IEC 61000-4-3:2006 + A1:2007 + Radiated, radio-frequency and electromagnetic field
A2:2010 immunity.
Generic standards. Immunity for industrial
IEC 61000-6-2:2016
environments
IEC 61000-4-2:2008 Electrostatic discharge immunity.
IEC 61000-6-3:2006 + A1:2010 Immunity for industrial environments
IEC 61000-4-4:2012 Electrical fast transient/burst immunity.
Surge immunity (class 3).
IEC 61000-4-5:2014 +A1:2017
Surge immunity (class 2) for cabled communications.
Immunity to conducted disturbances and induced
IEC 61000-4-6:2013
radio-frequency fields.
IEC 61000-4-8:2009 Power frequency magnetic field immunity

EN 61000-4-11:2004 + A1:2017 Voltage dips, short interruptions and voltage variations

IEC 61000-6-4:2006 + A1:2010 Emission standard for industrial environments

Requirements for equipment operating in the 2.4GHz
ETSI EN 300 328 V2.2.2 (2019-07)
ISM band
7.1.2 Safety
CE marking acc. to directive 93/68/CEE

IEC 61439-1:2020, IEC 61439-2:2020 Low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies
Safety Precautions for Transport of Dangerous Goods -
UN 2800
Lithium Batteries 23

7.2 For models with “Extended UL Certifications” 24

Standard Remarks

UL 508A: 2018 Ed.3 (CDR Report) Safety Standard for Industrial Control Devices
C22.2 No.286 Industrial Control Devices
UL508 Safety Standard for Lead Acid Battery

23
Classified as “UN 2800, Lead Acid Batteries contained in the NCU” – for transportation, this unit must be properly
packaged, labelled and registered on “Shipper’s BATTERIES, WET, NON- SPILLABLE, electric storage”, IATA A 67.
24
ETL listing control number 5010116. For units manufactured in US only.
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8. Model selection guide

NCU – aaa – bbb – cc – ddd – e – f – gg – zzz

TYPE
NCU Network Control Unit

SUPPLY INPUT
AC1 AC-Powered, 1-ph, 100-240Vac
AC2 AC-Powered, 1-ph, 277Vac 25
AC3 AC-Powered, 1-ph, 120Vac 26

SWITCH TYPE
ETS Un-managed Standard ethernet 5 ports
ETX Un-managed Extended ethernet 8 ports (+RJ45)
FP1 Un-managed 4x Ethernet, 1x Fiber port Single-Mode SC
FP2 Un-managed 4x Ethernet, 1x Fiber port Multi-Mode SC
FP3 Un-managed 4x Ethernet, 1x Fiber port Single-Mode ST
FP4 Un-managed 4x Ethernet, 1x Fiber port Multi- Mode ST
FP5 Un-managed 7x Ethernet, 1x Fiber port Single-Mode SC
FP6 Un-managed 7x Ethernet, 1x Fiber port Multi-Mode SC
FP7 Un-managed 7x Ethernet, 1x Fiber port Single-Mode ST
FP8 Un-managed 7x Ethernet, 1x Fiber port Multi- Mode ST
FP9 Un-managed 4x Ethernet, 2x Fiber port Single-Mode SC
MSA Managed 3x Ethernet port, 2 x Fiber port Single-Mode SC
Redundancy protocols:RSTP, STP, Turbo Chain, Turbo Ring v1/v2
MSB Managed 3x Ethernet port, 2 x Fiber Multi-Mode SC
Redundancy protocols:RSTP, STP, Turbo Chain, Turbo Ring v1/v2

FIELD COMMUNICATION
ZB ZigBee (wireless)
RS RS485 (wired)

GATEWAY TYPE
GW2 2 x Gateway ZigBee
GW3 Gateway RS485 2 ports
GW4 Gateway RS485 4 ports

STANDARDS COMPLIANCE
B Basic Certifications
U Extended UL Certifications

TEMPERATURE RANGE
S Standard Temperature
L Extended Low Temperature

EXPANDED SENSORS
blank Not sensors connected to the NCU
S1 Wind (RS485/RS485-Ultrasonic)
S2 Snow + Wind (RS485/RS485-Ultrasonic)

OPTIONS
blank N/A (Standard Model)
zzz Custom Variant 27

25
Only UL Standard models.
26
Only UL Standard models.
27
Contact P4Q for details on custom variants.
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9. Typical Applications

• ZigBee

• RS485
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Revision History

Rev. YYYY-MM-DD Description

A 2020-10-01 Initial revision
B 2020-11-27 Remove preliminary mark
C 2021-01-12 Correct the Fiber Switch options
D 2021-05-17 Change UL box
Change the norms tables
E 2021-10-07 Add warning information for not replacing NCU’s elements
F 2022-02-11 Change operating temperature according UL standard
Change the external mechanical impacts protection value
Resistance to ultra-violet (UV) radiation standard compliance
Add general electrical characteristics
Change circuits isolation electrical characteristics
Add AC3 model and AC3 protection device characteristics
Add number of field network slaves
G 2022-03-28 Add managed switch options to portfolio
H 2022-04-13 Correction of the NCU UL working T°|
I 2022-06-03 Add AC1-…-U general electric characteristics
Change enclosure dimension in managed switch models
Add some notes

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.

© P4Q Electronics S.L. All rights reserved.

Suntrack™ provides this document without warranty in any form either expressed or implied.

This document contains proprietary and confidential information. Reproduction and/or

disclosure through any means without the written permission of P4Q Electronics S.L. is strictly
forbidden.

HEADQUARTERS SPAIN PLANT R+D CENTER USA Plant China plant

Head offices and AIC Automotive P4Q USA, INC PFQ Electronics Kunshan
Production Centre Intelligence center Production Centre Bulding Q,
Elkartegi de Alonsotegi, 27 Parque Empresarial Boroa 5901 Office Blvd. No 88 Hongyang Road,
48810, Alonsotegi Parcela 24-A, Edif. Ppal., Local 5 Ne, Suite B Qiandeng town, Kunshan
Vizcaya (Spain) 48340 Amorebieta-Etxano. Vizcaya PO BOX 24076 city
Tel: (+34) 94 498 20 28 (Spain) Albuquerque, NM 87109 Jiangsu province, China
Fax: (+34) 94 498 20 36 Tel: (+34) 94 498 20 28 Telf.: 00 1 505 908 9374 Tel.: (+86) 0512 36882626
Fax: (+34) 94 498 20 36 Fax: 208 730 0660
www.p4q.com