RS485 Troubleshooting

This document describes how to locate and solve RS485 communication issues between several SolarEdge inverters.
This manual should be used in case "Slave Detect" function in the master inverter results are less than expected.

Required Tool
Make sure all of the items listed below are avilable to you.
5mm Helen hexagon key
Flathead small screwdriver for the terminal block
Volt Meter + Resistance tester
Twisted cable (CAT5)
RJ11 Crimper (Only if needed)
Wire strip tool

Preface
RS485 connection method enables you to connect up to 32 inverters on one bus for a distance of up to 1000m.
Only one inverter will be connected directly to the router/server and will be configured as "Master". All other
inverters will act as "Slaves".

CPU Version 3.1449 and above 2. 1049

On the master inverter, Under the configuration menu you have a list of the slaves inverter, each slave inverter has
Last Telemety time that can help you loacte the non reporting inverter faster.
Communication RS485-1 Conf Slave List

By selecting and entering the serial number you will see the latest communication date from the specific slave.

This way you will be able to determine while being on site – which inverter had stopped communicating

1
► Physical Connection:
1 RS485 terminal / socket is available in all of SolarEdge Inverter.
2 RS485 cable MUST NOT be connected in parallel to any electric cables (AC or DC).
3 RS485 connection should be as described in the following picture:

Figure 1: RS485 connection scheme.

4 As described in Figure 1, B should be connected to B, A should be connected to A &

G should be connected to G.
A and B contact points should be connected by a twisted pair.
NOTE:
A twisted pair from a CAT5 or CAT6 cable will work.

5 There are 2 Common layout of the RS485 connector on our communication board.
Type A – Green Terminal Block. Type B – RS485 socket.

Only RS485-1 is used. Both connectors are operational.

IMAGE IMAGE

In order to use both type of cards on the same bus, please connect the inverter as followed:
Green Terminal Block connector RJ11 Connector

B 2
A 3
G 6

2
► To configure RS485 communication between Inverters:
In the LCD menu, select the following:
1 Start with the SLAVE inverter/s:
• Communication RS485 Conf Device Type SolarEdge
• Communication RS485 Conf Protocol Slave
• Communication Server RS485
• Repeat those steps in all slave inverters
2 Once all Slaves inverter were configured as mentioned above, configure the MASTER inverter.
• Communication Server LAN
• Communication RS485 Conf Device Type SolarEdge
• Communication RS485 Conf Protocol Master
• Communication RS485 Conf Slave Detect
3 The Master inverter should report the correct number of slaves.
4 Verify that the LCD panel displays <S_OK>.

RS485-1
BAG
► RS485 Resistance tests:

Testing the resistance on the terminal block itself will help you locate a faulty communication board.
Before testing the resistance of the RS485 terminal block, please do the following:
1. Turn the DC switch OFF (bottom of the inverter) and wait until the voltage drops to safety (DCv<50v).
2. Turn the AC supply OFF (main breaker).
3. Steps 1 and 2 should be done on all inverters.
4. Make sure that the Terminations on all communication boards (every inverter) are OFF.
5. First check the resistance between points A – B,
• First measure the entire BUS:
RS485-1 ON
Values should be: Ω termination

o Calculation formula : OFF

⋯
o In case the readings are around 120 Ω – you probably have on
communication board with the Terminations ON
o In case you are not getting any readings at all, you have a fault
either with the cables, one of the communication boards or the multi-meter.
• When testing only one board (RS485 connector is disconnected) ~ 310 Ω
o In case you are receiving a value lower than 200 Ω – communication board is faulty and
needs to be replaced – please contact SolarEdge Support Center.
o In case the readings are around 120 Ω – you probably have on
communication board with the Terminations ON.
6. Check resistance A-G and B-G
• When testing only one board (RS485 connector is disconnected) Resistance > 2 Ω
o In case you are receiving a value lower than 2 Ω – communication board is faulty and
needs to be replaced – please contact SolarEdge Support Center.

3
 Common RS485 Communication Faults

► Issue 1 (most common) – not all slaves were detected – last one.

Possible solutions:
• Make sure there is active AC supply.
• Make sure you had configured the inverter properly.
• Make sure the RS485 is connected under RS485-1 terminal block
• Make sure you connected the cables at the same order.
• Make sure that the cable was not damaged.

► Issue 2 – A group of inverters were not detected – End of the Bus.

• Check all steps described in ISSUE 1.

• Make sure that the terminations are ON Only on the master
inverter and on the last inverter in the bus (use only the left switch).
• In case all was double checked and no fault was found please check the
resistance as described on page 3.

4
► Issue 3 – One or more not detected / stopped communicating.

Possible solutions:
• Check all steps described in ISSUE 1.
• Make sure you had configured the inverter properly.
• Make sure the RS485 is connected under RS485-1 terminal block.
• In case all was double checked and no fault was found please check the
resistance as described on page 3.

► Issue 4 – Multiple inverters stopped reporting.

Possible solutions:
• Check all steps described in ISSUE 1.
• Check the communication Board resistance as described on page 3.

5
3 Wait for the inverter to connect to the SolarEdge Monitoring Server. This may take up to two minutes.
4 Verify that the LCD panel displays a window similar to the following:
V a c [ v ] V d c [ v ] P a c [ w ]
2 3 0 . 7 5 . 2 V 0 . 0
< S _ O K >
O F F

S_OK: Verify that S_OK appears on the panel to indicate a functioning connection to the SolarEdge Monitoring
Server, which was validated during the last two minutes.
NOTE:
A twisted pair from a CAT5 or CAT6 cable will work.