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Chapter 6: Setting Up Communication to the
Monitoring Platform
The SMI sends the following information to the monitoring platform:
Power optimizer information received via the DC power lines (the PV output circuit).
SMI information
Information of any other connected devices.
This chapter describes setting up communication between:
The inverter and the monitoring platform through the Internet (wired/ wireless), or
through a cellular connection.
Multiple inverters for a master/slave configuration.
Communication setup is not required for power harvesting, however it is needed for
using the monitoring platform.
CAUTION!
Communication Options
Only communication products offered by SolarEdge are supported.
Ethernet
Ethernet is used for a LAN connection. For connection instructions refer to .
RS485
RS485 is used for the connection of multiple SolarEdge devices on the same bus in a
master-slave configuration. RS485 can also be used as an interface to external devices,
such as meters and third party data loggers. The SMI has two RS485 physical ports with
the following capabilities:
RS485-1: Enables the connection of multiple devices (inverters/SMIs/Commercial
Gateway) over the same bus, such that connecting only one device to the Internet
is sufficient to provide communication services for all the devices on the bus.
RS485-2: Enables connection of multiple SolarEdge devices and of non-SolarEdge
devices over the same bus.
Chapter 6: Setting Up Communication to the Monitoring Platform
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SMI-180 Installation Guide MAN-01-00157-1.1