DANGER! The tasks described below may be performed by Electrically Qualified Persons ONLY:

ISSUE

Using Sunny Explorer, you are unable to find a Speedwire plant, even after confirming that the Speedwire/Webconnect Data Module (SWDM-US-10) or Speedwire/Webconnect Piggyback (SWPB-US-10) is compatible with your inverter model, properly mounted and wired correctly.

RESOLUTION

WARNING:  The steps to use Sunny Explorer may require opening the lower lid of the inverter, which must be done only after properly de-energizing the device.  If you are the system owner, please contact your installer to perform the following steps. 

After confirming the inverter is properly configured with a Speedwire-Webconnect device and using the latest version of Sunny Explorer installed on your Windows-based laptop, follow the steps in this article to access a Speedwire plant on the same Local Area Network (LAN): 

1. Confirm you have the current version of Sunny Explorer installed on your Windows-based laptop.
2. With the inverter powered off for a minimum of 5-minutes (AC, then DC OFF), use an Ethernet cable to plug your laptop directly into either:

a) the open port of the SWDM (Speedwire/Webconnect Data Module) located in the last inverter on the daisy-chain, OR 
b) a port in the common Ethernet switch, where inverters with either an SWDM and/or SWPB (Speedwire/Webconnect Piggyback) are Star-connected, OR 
c) a port in the same router that controls the Local Area Network where the inverters are connected.

1. Before powering the inverter(s) ON, confirm your laptop Local Area Network properties for “IPv4” are set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically.” 
2. After the inverter is producing power (AC, then DC ON), start Sunny Explorer by double-clicking the icon located on your Desktop.
3. When Sunny Explorer opens, ALWAYS search for a “New” plant and select “speedwire” communication type to access inverter(s) that are currently available on the Local Area Network.
4. All devices in the Sunny Explorer plant should be showing a green checkmark and reporting live data.
5. If any inverter shows a “lock” symbol after Sunny Explorer presents the plant, there may be an inverter password issue.  If the inverter does not unlock using either the Sunny Explorer “Installer default password=1111” or the “Sunny Portal Plant” password, follow the steps in “Sunny Explorer: How to “Unlock” an Inverter Using a PUK.”
6. Always de-energize the inverter before removing the Ethernet cable from the inverter.

Pre-Requisite Conditions:

• Always adhere to site-specific safety protocol, when opening any inverter.
• Confirm the inverter is properly configured with either an Speedwire-Webconnect device (SWDM or SWPB), as appropriate for the model type, and connected with:

a) the ribbon cable from the SWDM seated into the display, and the display fully seated with the main ribbon cable coming from the inverter ORb) four signal wires properly connected to the terminal screws* located just below the SWPB mounting located inside the inverter.  *Note:  SWPBs cannot be daisy-chained together, which means DO NOT DOUBLE-LUG the signal wires on any one terminal screw.

• Confirm you have Admin Rights to your laptop, in the event it is necessary to change IPv4 settings while onsite.  Be sure to obtain these rights from your IT/Network representative before leaving the office.
• Confirm your laptop Local Area Network (LAN) properties for IPv4 are set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” (i.e., laptop is set to receive a “dynamic” IP address assignment vs. set to a “static” IP).  
• Confirm your CAT5/CAT6 Ethernet cable is configured for 568B signal wire order with RJ45 jacks, properly crimped on each end. 
• Confirm the Ethernet cable was connected to the inverter with both AC and DC OFF, during a minimum of 5 minutes power-cycle.

PROCEDURE – How to Find a Speedwire/Webconnect Plant Using Sunny Explorer

DANGER! The tasks described below may only be performed by Electrically Qualified Persons:

1. If you do not have the current version of Sunny Explorer, first download and install the latest version of the Sunny Explorer software to your Windows based laptop.
   • For details, see the article “Sunny Explorer:  How to Download and Install the Latest Version“
   • The current version of Sunny Explorer can be downloaded directly from the following link, http://www.sma-america.com/en_US/products/software/sunny-explorer.html.  

1.  With the inverter powered off for a minimum of 5-minutes (AC, then DC OFF), open the lower lid of the inverter and use a Ethernet cable with 568B signal wire order to plug your laptop directly into either:

a) the open port of the SWDM (Speedwire/Webconnect Data Module) located in the last inverter on the daisy-chain, OR

b) a port in the common Ethernet switch, where inverters with either an SWDM and/or SWPB (Speedwire/Webconnect Piggyback) are Star-connected, OR

c) a port in the same router that controls the Local Area Network (LAN) where the inverters are connected.

1. Before powering the inverter(s) ON, confirm your laptop Local Area Network properties for “IPv4” are set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically.” 

• Navigation steps:  Windows Start icon -> “ncpa.cpl” -> active network connection -> Local Area Connection -> General “Properties” button -> TCP/IPv4 “Properties” button -> “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically.”
• You must have Administrative Rights to your computer to change settings to match the site network, if the inverter IP address settings are off network.  If you do not currently have Admin Rights, contact your Network Administrator to get authorization before going to site.

1. After the inverter is producing power (AC, then DC ON), start Sunny Explorer by double-clicking the icon located on your Desktop.

• ALWAYS have both AC and DC Off for a minimum of five minutes to discharge capacitive voltage.
• After AC, then DC are back On, wait between 5-15 minutes until Sunny Explorer makes a full connection with each inverter on the Local Area Network (LAN).
• If an inverter is presenting a red LED indicating an error issue, proceed with the steps in this article to use Sunny Explorer to determine inverter conditions and potential error codes.

1.  After Sunny Explorer opens, follow the next six screenshots below to access inverter(s) that are currently available on the Local Area Network (LAN).

• ALWAYS enter a new plant.  An existing plant will show outdated data.
• Allow Sunny Explorer to auto-name each plant.  You can re-direct the file location and rename at this time, if preferred.

• ALWAYS select “Communication Type=Speedwire” for US models.

• It may take a while before Sunny Explorer reports back that a plant has been found.  Wait a few minutes between attempts, and then click on the “Repeat Search” button.
• If a plant is not detected after a few attempts, perform a 5-minute power-cycle of the inverter* and try again.  *Note:  Restart the computer at the same time.

• After Sunny Explorer finds a plant, click on the “+” sign located next to “Local Area Connection” to see the IP address assigned to each SMA device.

• After clicking “Next,” it may take a few minutes before full connection is established with all devices on the LAN.

• Log into the plant with “User Group=Installer” and “Installer default password=1111.”

1. All devices in the Sunny Explorer plant should be showing a green checkmark and reporting live data.
   • If one or more inverters are not presenting in the plant, follow steps in the article “COM: How To Troubleshoot Speedwire/Webconnect Issues.”

1. If any inverter shows a “lock” symbol after Sunny Explorer presents the plant, there may be an inverter password issue:  
   • If the inverter(s) were previously registered to Sunny Portal, the Installer password is no longer “1111.” Instead, use the plant password that was assigned during Sunny Portal plant registration.
   • If the Sunny Portal plant password is unknown or not working, contact serviceline@sma-america.com to request a Personal Unlocking Key (PUK) for each inverter to override the password issue.
   • While waiting for the PUK(s), log in as “User*” with “User default password=0000,” to see status* of the inverters.  *Note:  You cannot make changes to the plant when logged in as “User.”
   • If the inverter does not unlock, using either the “Sunny Portal Plant” password or the Sunny Explorer “Installer default password=1111,” follow the steps in “Sunny Explorer: How to “Unlock” an Inverter Using a PUK” to troubleshoot further.

1. Always de-energize the inverter (AC/DC OFF) before removing the Ethernet cable from the inverter.