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and other names are trademarks of Enphase Energy, Inc. Data subject to change.
ZRT-UM-0001-01-EN-US-2021-12-29
The ZWRE can also be very effective if the direct path between Zigbee nodes has
obstructions such as walls, but the ZWRE can provide an alternative path without these
obstructions. One example could be sites where the equipment is located on perpendicular
walls and do not have line of sight. In these cases, if an appropriate location of ZWRE can
be found, then the ZWRE can have a direct line of sight will all the equipment, thereby
providing a “hop” with a significantly better RF link quality.
In sites where the IQ Gateway is located far from the IQ Batteries and IQ System Controller,
the WUE can be very effective. In WUE, a USB over ethernet receive/transmit pair is used to
relocate the Communications kit close to location of IQ Batteries.
The following steps are recommended during Range Test:
Step 1: Perform Range Test during planning/design phase or before installation. If all the
equipment is co-located and is within line of sight, range extension is not needed.
Step 2: If Step 1 fails, continue Range Test to check suitability of ZWRE.
Step 3: If Step 2 fails, repeat Range Test to check suitability of WUE. Use of WUE is
recommended if the IQ System Controller and the IQ Batteries are co-located and the IQ
Gateway is far from them.
Step 4: If Steps 1-3 fail, choose a different equipment location and repeat Range Test
Section VI: Conclusions
Enphase Energy System communication between the IQ Gateway, IQ System Controller,
and IQ Batteries is based on a high performing Zigbee mesh network. However often
extraneous factors such as environmental conditions, other sources of RF noise and
changes in sites conditions due to human or vehicular movements are not considered.
The Enphase Range Test provides a tool to installers to ensure that equipment is installed
with the right method of range extension while accounting for unpredictable site
conditions. By ensuring adequate RF link quality, a robust RF network will be formed under
all conditions.
