EKO MP-170, Operation Manual

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3-1. Outline
Portable I-V curve tracer “I-V Checker” MP-170 is designed to measure DC output from a
PV array or module. Purposes of measurement include evaluation, checking system
failures, and maintenance of the PV power system. MP-170 uses capacitor load method
to measure the I-V curve which makes high power measurements possible. Compact size,
high performance and accuracy are achieved from EKO’s long experiences in PV
measurement.
MP-170 consists of the Main unit and the Sensor unit. The Main unit is not only capable
of taking measurement, showing graph, and analyzing data by key pad operation, it can
also transfer the measured data to the PC by connecting with USB and analyze data on
the PC by using the MP-170 software.
Also, the Sensor unit has a built-in Si-pyranometer, and this allows the measurement of
incident solar irradiance and the back-side temperature of the PV module while
measuring the I-V curve on the Main unit at the same time; this makes the conversion for
Standard Test Condition (STC) complying with JIS C8914 standard easy. Also, the
external input terminal on the Sensor unit can be connected with not only EKO
pyranometers (MS-802, MS-402, and MS-601), reference cell, and/or thermocouple, and
the data can be stored.
The Main unit and the Sensor unit can transfer the data by connecting with modular
cable; the solar irradiance data and temperature data measured on the Sensor unit can
be transferred to the Main unit.
3-2. Functions
MP-170 has more outstanding features compared to the traditional I-V curve tracer.
- The Sensor Unit can be separated from the Main unit.
- By setting up the internal time on the Sensor unit and the Main unit, it is possible to
measure without cables.
- Built-in Si-pyranometer is in the Sensor unit.
- High precision pyranometer can be connected to the Sensor Unit.
- The Angle capturer easily indicates the tilt-angle and the direction of the PV
module/array to be measured, and setup the built-in Si-pyranometer on the Sensor
unit in the same position as the module/array.
- It is possible to measure the PV module/array I-V curve on the Main unit and the
irradiance and the temperature on the Sensor unit separately.
- The traditional I-V curve tracer had to be setup by climbing up a high place where the
PV power system is located, then place the sensor, and pull the cables of radiation
3. Outline of MP-170