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Parameters

See also general considerations about Control device for pumping systems.

The Controller dialog includes several pages, which are only available when pertinent.

General Tab

Reminds the main characteristics of any Pumping System Control Device, namely for system control and pump(s) operating safety.

The parameter mentioned here are not all useful for simulation; but they will characterize the capabilities of each commercial device.

  • Main switch and Tank Full level sensor are in principle present in any control device. Pump inlet level sensor is required in deep well systems.
  • Electric safety limitations (Abs. maximum Power, Voltage, Current) will be set according to the pump(s) in the Default regulators.
  • If a Power conditioning Unit is used, you should decide whether it is part of the pump definition or defined in this component. This choice is automatic with Universal controllers.
  • Some operational parameter for special configurations are defined here: Pumps cascading: The irradiance threshold for switching the second (or third) pump ON. The program also gives the opportunity of defining pump Power thresholds for this purpose, but it is probably more difficult to implement in the reality.

Array Reconfiguration: The irradiance threshold for commuting from parallel to series configuration.

Battery Buffered system: The irradiance threshold for turning the pump ON.

MPPT and DC-DC Converter

Define the usual parameter for power converter units, that is:

  • MPPT: Minimum and Maximum MPPT voltage, the voltage range for tracking.
  • DC-DC: Fixed input voltage, which may be adjustable on most devices. The dialog gives access to the Voltage Optimizing tool for choosing the convenient value, according to the array definition.
  • Behaviour at Maximal Power, and Voltage tracking limits. In the Universal Controller definition, the above parameter are adjustable, but all other ones are fixed according to the system before the simulation process.
  • Maximum Array Voltage and Input Current,
  • Output (pump driving): nominal output voltage and power, maximal power.

NB: When the converter is specified within the pump definition, the converter parameters of the pump are transferred into the Controller device just before the simulation, overwriting the own controller's definitions.

Efficiency

As for other converters or inverters in PVsyst, the efficiency curve may be either manually defined, or automatically constructed using the "Maximum efficiency" and "Euro efficiency" specified values.

When the converter is specified within the pump definition, only the specification of Max and Euro efficiency is available (in the Pump definition dialog).

Battery Management

When using a battery, this panel defines the charge/discharge controller parameters, in the same way as in controllers for stand-alone systems.

Commercial Data

Identical to the other components.

Provides an unlimited editing place for a detailed description of the device.