Quick Reference Card
PVA-1000S & SolSensor™
For use with v3 PVA PC software
Current Range: 0 to 20 A dc
Voltage Range: 0 to 1000 V dc
Operating Temp: -10 to 65C
WARNING Risk of electrical shock. To be used only by qualified
personnel. Use Personal Protective Equipment. Isolate PV circuit to be
tested from inverter and other PV circuits.
Caution Replace PVA connector saver jumpers after 100 connections.
Caution Do not touch white 'eye' of irradiance sensor. Cover when not in use.
Clean only with distilled water and clean, soft cloth. Soap or cleaning fluids
can cause permanent damage and degrade irradiance measurement accuracy.
Note Installing PVA software requires web connection to load drivers.
Battery Run Time: I-V Unit: 12 hr continuous use, 1000 sweeps.
SolSensor: 16hr typical use. With heavy use, charge both 6hrs nightly.
Network exists, sweep enabled.
To reset IV-Unit, hold pushbutton down for 8 seconds and release
Measurement Example (testing PV strings at a fused combiner box):
1. Insert wireless USB adaptor in PC USB slot & start PVA software.
2. Select your Project from the File menu, or create a new one. Break
large systems into multiple Projects so the software runs faster.
3. Mount SolSensor to module frame, blue ears contacting. Turn it on.
Pro tip: Mount SolSensor on horizontal top frame for best irradiance
accuracy early and late in day, and for best wireless range.
4. Open DC disconnect to isolate combiner box from rest of system
5. Lift all fuses to de-energize buss bars
6. Connect PVA test leads to buss bars
7. Turn on the I-V Unit. Wait for network to link (green Ready indication).
8. Insert the fuse for the string to be measured
9. Press Measure Now to take an I-V trace. When trace and tree appear,
highlight the string number and click Assign and Save. To display the
data and model points but not save the trace, click Assign Only.
10.Export your system data (File>Export Traces for Entire System…).
11.Analyze and report your data using the Solmetric Data Analysis Tool.
