Service Tip: Accessing inverter information from new generation SMA inverters using WiFi and the Web User Interface

For improved long term reliability in the field, new generation SMA inverters do not have a built-in display. Instead these inverters utilise WiFi with a built-in Web User Interface (WebUI) to turn any smart device into an inverter display, even when the inverter is not connected to the internet. Connecting to the inverter’s WebUI can allow access to real-time performance of the inverter, as well as event and error log information. Such information can be useful to an installer or home owner either during system commissioning, field operation, or troubleshooting if things ever go wrong.

PREPARATION CHECKLIST:

A smart device with WiFi capability such as

• Smartphone
• Tablet
• Laptop

NOTE: In the following instructions, we assume the inverter has ALREADY been commissioned.

Have the inverter serial number and WPA2-PSK password information available

Information such as the serial number and WPA2-PSK password can be found on the inverter label and the documentation which is supplied with the inverter. This information is necessary for connecting to the inverter’s WiFi hotspot and subsequent WebUI.

STEP 1 – CONNECT TO THE INVERTER VIA WIFI USING YOUR SMARTPHONE, TABLET OR LAPTOP

Access your device’s WiFi connection in order to detect and connect to the inverter. This will have a similar format to SMA19xxxxxxxx. If there are multiple inverters in the area, make sure to connect to the WiFi network for which the network name corresponds to the inverter serial number.

After selecting the appropriate network, input the WPA2-PSK password for the inverter which you are connecting to.

STEP 2 – LOG IN TO THE INVERTER INTERFACE

Once you have connected to the inverter via WiFi, go to your internet browser and type in the default IP address into the adress bar according the image below.

This will log into the inverter’s web user interface. You will then need to log in either as an ‘Installer’ or ‘User’ using either the modified or default password (Note: if the ‘User’ has not been previously logged into, it will request a password be set).

STEP 3 – ACCESSING INVERTER INFORMATION

Once logged in, you will be directed to the inverter’s home screen. This provides a quick overview of:

• Device Status
• Current Power
• Current Consumption
• Energy Generation Values
• Energy Consumption Values
• Feed-in Management Status
• Energy generation and consumption graphs for Day, Month, Year and Since Installation

Accessing Instantaneous Values

Accessing instantaneous DC or AC values can be important either for recording values as part of a commissioning process, or for troubleshooting a system which may not be performing correctly. Instantaneous values can be accessed via the menu as shown below. Here, it is possible to view a variety of values including:

• DC current and voltage
• AC current and voltage
• AC line frequency
• AC phase to phase or phase to neutral voltages

Accessing Events and Error Codes

If the operation of the inverter needs to be interrogated in greater detail, the ‘Events’ log contains Information, Warnings and Error messages. This information can be useful in understanding why an inverter may have operated in a specific way. The ‘Event ID’ is described in detail in the inverter installation manual where there are also the corrective actions to take in order to rectify the problem.  The Event ID and description should also be on-hand before contact SMA Service as this will accelerate the troubleshooting process.

Conclusion

New generation SMA inverters do not have a built-in display. Instead, a far more versatile display is accessible via smartphones, tablets and laptops which directly connect to the inverter’s WebUI via WiFi. This does not require the inverter to be connected to the internet. The inverter’s WebUI provides access to information such as live status and performance, instantaneous DC or AC values and full event and error logs.  This information can be useful to an installer or home owner either during system commissioning, field operation, or troubleshooting.