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Meter COM Fail: Meter communication failure

The inverter is not able to establish communication with the smart meter, impacting its ability to monitor and control energy flow to and from the grid.

Possible causes

  • Issues with RS-485 Communication: The inverter uses RS-485 communication to talk to the meter. Problems with this communication can lead to the failure. This could be a break in the cable, incorrect wiring, or a faulty communication port on either the inverter or the meter.
  • Faulty Meter or Inverter: Either the smart meter or the inverter itself could be malfunctioning, causing the communication breakdown.
  • Incorrect Configuration Settings: The inverter might not be set up correctly to communicate with the meter. This could involve issues like wrong communication parameters or incorrect meter selection in the inverter's settings.

Before you begin

Safety First: Working with electrical equipment always involves risks. Ensure you are qualified and follow appropriate safety precautions. Disconnect the inverter from both AC and DC sources before performing any physical inspection or adjustments.

Gather Information: Before starting troubleshooting, have the inverter manual on hand. You should also gather information about the inverter model and serial number, the installation date, and the PV array configuration (number of panels, capacity, and number of strings).

Troubleshooting steps

  1. Check the Inverter's RS-485 Communication:
    • Use a multimeter to check if the inverter's RS-485 communication port is working. Set the multimeter to DC voltage, low range (1-5 volts).
    • Measure the voltage between the communication pins on the inverter's port. A reading between 1 and 5 volts usually indicates good communication signals.
  2. Check the Meter Cable:
    • Inspect the cable connecting the inverter and meter for any damage, cuts, or loose connections.
    • With the cable connected to the inverter, check for the same voltage reading (1-5 volts) on the meter side of the cable. This confirms the cable is good.
  3. Check the Meter's RS-485 Communication:
    • If you see the correct voltage on the meter side of the cable, check if the meter is pushing out communication signals. Again, use the multimeter in DC voltage mode, low range, to measure voltage between the communication pins 5 and 6 on the meter's connector.
  4. Verify the CT Connection:
    • The current transformer (CT) on the meter should be correctly wired and not reversed. A reversed CT can lead to communication errors. The inverter usually provides settings to correct a reversed CT without physically rewiring it.
  5. Check the Inverter's Meter Configuration Settings:
    • Consult your inverter manual and verify that the correct meter type is selected in the inverter's settings.
    • Ensure that communication parameters like baud rate and address settings for the meter are correct in the inverter's configuration.

Validating the solution

Once the troubleshooting steps are complete, observe the inverter for any error messages related to the meter communication. Additionally, check the inverter's display for real-time data from the meter. If the error has disappeared and the inverter is displaying meter readings, the problem is likely solved. Continue monitoring the system's performance and communication status over time.

If the problem is not resolved

If you have followed all the steps above, and the error persists, there might be an internal fault within the inverter or the meter.

  • As a system owner: In this case, contact the inverter installer or distributor for further assistance. You can find the details of your installer in the MyAutarco app.
  • As a certified installer: Contact Autarco Support, you can submit a support case via Helios.