Table of Contents
- 1. Electricity Management and RCP
Planning electricity and RCP management
- 1. Electricity Management and RCP
This article describes installation planning. For on-site implementation and equipment configuration on the Climkit platform, please refer to the links at the end of the article.
1. Electricity Management and RCP
The Climkit electricity management solution consists of providing meters to measure and record electricity consumption, transmitting the data to the platform, and activating one of the available operating methods, such as generating individual statements or automatic consumer billing.
The solution generally applies in the context of a Self-Consumption Grouping (RCP).
It can also be used in other contexts, for example:
- In a commercial building to distinguish consumption between different areas
- In a campsite or harbor to account for consumption per pitch
- In any situation requiring the measurement, statement, and billing of electricity consumption
Standard connection diagram for an RCP
There are several ways to connect electricity meters and communication depending on the number of consumers and buildings at a site.
The standard diagram consists of an RCP with:
- Only one grid input point with a DSO input meter
- Several consumers (apartments, offices, common areas, etc.) connected to private meters.
Electrical Connection
The diagram above shows the case of an RCP with a single DSO meter at the building's electrical input.
Consumers such as apartments and common areas are measured by private meters.
A private meter also measures photovoltaic production (output from the inverter).
A private meter is also installed in series before the DSO meter.
The number of meters depends on what needs to be measured and billed separately. Here is a list of the most common meters to plan for:
- Heat pump: to distinguish its consumption from the rest of the common areas
- Electric vehicle charging stations
- AC-connected battery (and not DC via a hybrid inverter)
- Photovoltaic inverters: one meter per installation allows for separate performance measurement and easier detection of potential problems.
RS485 Communication Bus and Internet Connection
An RS485 serial communication bus connects each meter to the Climkit Gateway's RS485 interface.
The meters (Slaves) are connected via an RS485 bus network to the Gateway (Master) according to the diagram below.
Cable routing guidelines and recommendations:
- Use shielded U72 type cable (aluminum foil type) 4 × 0.8 mm².
- All devices must be connected in series (daisy-chain). Avoid branches, stars, or T-connections, which can cause communication failures.
- The cable must not form closed loops.
- Maximum length: aim for < 500 m for a safety margin.
- Avoid routing near equipment that could create interference (motors, drives...).
The Gateway itself is connected via its Ethernet interface to the 4G router equipped with a multi-operator SIM card to allow for remote meter reading.
Climkit Offer
The standard Climkit offer groups the necessary elements for system operation: hardware equipment, software functionalities, and related setup services.
All hardware is supplied pre-configured to simplify installation and ensure correct meter communication.
- Equipment:
- LAN router or 4G router
- Climkit Gateway
- Electricity meters
- Software functionalities:
- Electricity meter reading and logging
- Setup service:
- Technical coordination and meter reading verification
- Administrative commissioning
All products are ordered directly from Climkit.
In most cases, installation can be carried out by the installer without on-site intervention from a Climkit technician.
Telephone support is available if necessary during commissioning.
Details of Equipment Used
4G Router
An internet connection is essential for the system to operate. If no connection is available, Climkit can provide one via a 4G router equipped with an active multi-operator SIM card.
Using the Climkit TRB140 4G router offers several advantages:
- Simplified installation: the router is easily installed inside the electrical panel, directly on the DIN rail
- Complete delivery: supplied with its DIN rail mount and 24V DC power supply
- Ready to use: delivered pre-configured with an activated SIM card
- Economical 4G subscription: low-cost internet connection
Climkit Gateway
The Climkit Gateway reads the meters connected to its RS485 port via the Modbus protocol and transmits the readings to the Climkit platform via the internet.
Electricity Meters
Electricity meters allow for the measurement of consumption, production, as well as electricity drawn from and fed back to the grid.
For connections below 80A, Climkit supplies direct meters, meaning the conductors pass directly through the meter.
The generally supplied model is the Eastron SDM630Modbus meter. The meter occupies 4 DIN modules and is installed directly in the electrical panel on a DIN rail or in a suitable enclosure (see T-Box below).
If the connection current (amperage) exceeds 80A, Climkit supplies indirect meters, meaning the conductors pass through current transformers (CTs) which are themselves connected to the meter.
- The generally supplied model is the Eastron SDM630MCT meter
Current Transformers (CTs)
CTs are selected based on the connection current and the conductor diameter over which the CT will clamp.
Climkit supplies CTs ranging from 100 A to 2000 A.
CTs clamp directly onto the cable or copper bar of each phase. Pay attention to the cable cross-section relative to the CT diameter.
Other CTs can be ordered for specific cases with a larger diameter. This must be specified when ordering.
T-Box Enclosure and Meter Plate
To facilitate the installation of meters in DSO meter locations, it is possible to order DIN rail enclosures with mounting plates.
DIN rail enclosure on T mounting plate (H: 36cm, W:21cm)
Cloud Gateway Variant
Instead of using a Climkit Gateway, it is possible to opt for a virtual Gateway using the MQTT protocol by combining a router (LAN or 4G) with an RS485-Ethernet converter.
Cloud Gateway Diagram with 4G Router
Diagram with LAN Router
2. Connection Variants
Microgrid Diagram: Site Comprising Several Buildings
The Microgrid diagram consists of a grouping (RCP) with the following characteristics:
- A single public grid input point, equipped with a DSO input meter, generally located in a separate main electrical distribution board (TGBT) or in one of the site's buildings.
- Several buildings connected to this same input point.
- Multiple consumers (apartments, offices, common areas, etc.), each connected to an individual meter.
This diagram applies particularly when private meters are distributed across different locations on the site. Several variants are possible for connecting and reading the meters:
- Installation of a bus between buildings, running past each meter to the central Climkit Gateway.
- Installation of a Climkit Gateway in each building, each connected to the Internet for data transmission.
- Recommended: Interconnecting all buildings via a local IP network (RJ45 cabling or fiber optic). Each meter installation is connected to an RS485-Ethernet converter, which is itself connected to the site's LAN. This architecture allows for efficient data centralization while ensuring infrastructure flexibility. (See diagram below.)
This last variant is recommended because it offers several advantages:
- Increased reliability: It avoids connection problems related to the physical bus between buildings, whose diagnosis and troubleshooting can be complex.
- Equipment savings: It allows for the installation of only one Gateway and one router for the entire site, thus simplifying the architecture and reducing costs.
Microgrid Diagram with Virtual RCP with Multiple Inputs
The Microgrid diagram with virtual RCP consists of:
- Several public grid input points, each with its DSO meter
- Several interconnected buildings
- Several consumers (apartments, offices, common areas, etc.) equipped with either a private meter or a DSO meter
- Several photovoltaic installations measured by a private meter or a DSO meter
Operating Principle:
The generated electricity is shared between the buildings. The DSO meters are virtually grouped to establish a single grid draw invoice.
Private meters are read directly by the Climkit Gateway, while the DSO transmits its meter data to Climkit. All information is centralized on the Climkit platform.
Single Consumer Diagram
This diagram applies to sites comprising:
- A single public grid input point
- A single consumer
- A single photovoltaic installation
Application example: A single-family home or a commercial building equipped with a photovoltaic installation.
A minimum of two meters are installed: an input meter in series with the DSO meter and a photovoltaic production meter.
Consumption does not need to be directly measured: it is deduced by calculation from the values of the other two meters (Consumption = Production + Draw or - Feed-in).
Cloud Gateway Variant with LAN (or 4G) Router
3. Self-Consumption Optimization
The Climkit optimization system allows increasing the self-consumption rate of a photovoltaic installation by controlling certain appliances based on solar energy production.
The surplus fed back to the electricity grid is thus limited, and autonomy is also gained by, for example, producing hot water with solar energy.
Appliances (water heaters, heat pumps, radiators, pool pumps, etc.) are controlled via a relay. It is also possible to control certain electric vehicle charging stations (via Wifi or Ethernet).
Climkit Offer
Here are the additional products to enable self-consumption optimization:
- Equipment:
- I/O Relay Module
- Software functionalities:
- Self-consumption optimization
- Setup service:
- Technical coordination and configuration
Details of Equipment Used
I/O Relay Module
The WP8024 I/O Module supplied by Climkit has 4 relays.
It is supplied with a 24V DC DIN rail power supply and connects to the Climkit Gateway via RS485-Modbus (like electricity meters).
Potential-free contacts (e.g., SG-ready on the heat pump) can be connected directly to a module relay.
In the case of a water heater, the module relays control control relays (contactor) which in turn switch on the water heater.
A three-phase water heater resistance can be connected with a separate relay per phase to allow staged switching on and maximize self-consumption even with low photovoltaic production.
If 4 relays are not enough, it is possible to connect several modules to the Climkit Gateway.
It is recommended to install a 3-position switch between the relay module and the appliance to be controlled to allow manual switching of the latter.
Positions:
- Up (I): Automatic control by the relay module and the optimization system
- Middle (0): Forced off
- Down (II): Forced on
Typical model: Hager SFB116
4. Battery Installation
In the case of an AC battery installation (equipped with its own charger-inverter), it is essential to connect this system to a specific Climkit battery meter and configure it in "Battery" mode on the platform.
