micro, cdd - Power-One

MICRO and 

Concentrator Data Device 

AURORA® ACADEMY 

1 Hour 

1

Training Objectives 

Micro 

250 W 

300 W 

Specifications 

• Key Specs 

• Advantages 

Installation 

• Flexibility in Design 

• Cabling Solutions 

Communications 

• CDD Specifications 

• Configurations 

• Monitoring Solutions 

RELIABILITY DATA

Micro Introduction

Micro Introduction

MICRO Key Specifications 

Product name MICRO-0.25-I MICRO-0.3-I 

Rated Power (P ac,r ) 250W 300W 

Rated Power (P dc,r ) 265 W 320 W 

Operating Input Range 12-60V 

Full power MPPT range 

(V mppmax,r -V mppmin,r ) 

25-60V 30-60V 

Max. Input Voltage V max,abs 

65V 

Adjustable Frequency 

Range 

57-60.5Hz 

Rated Output Voltage 

208 / 240 Vac 

Max. Eff. (η max ) 96.5% 

CEC Eff. (η CEC ) 96% 

Ambient Temperature 

Range 

-40°C to 65 °C / - 

40...+149°F 

-40°C to 65 °C / - 

40...+149°F 

Environmental Protection 

Rating 

NEMA 4X 

Cooling 

Natural 

Dimension (H x W x D) 

262mm x 244mm x 35mm / 

10.3’’ x 9.6’’ x 1.37’’ 

Weight 

3.5 lb

Key Advantages of Micro 

High Performance 

• High CEC Efficiency – 96.5% 

• Fast and Precise MPP Tracking Algorithm 

High Reliability 

• High Reliability Capacitors (Electrolytic free) 

• NEMA 4X Enclosure Rating 

Fast Installation 

• Simple AC trunk cable solution 

• Field Selectable AC Voltage and Frequency 

Easy to Monitor 

• Wireless monitoring solution 

• Panel level monitoring 

6

Micro – Non Uniform Shadowing 

Module without shadow 

PPV 

+ - 

Pmax 

1 2 3 4 

VPV 

No Diodes in Bypass 

P max 

V OC 

VOC


Module with corner shadow 

PPV 

+ - 

⅔ Pmax 

1 2 3 4 

VPV 

⅔ VOC 

VOC 

One Diode in Bypass 

⅔ P max 

⅔ V OC


Module with strong shadow 

⅓ Pmax 

PPV 

+ - 

1 2 3 4 

⅓ VOC 

VOC 

VPV 

Two Diodes in Bypass 

⅓ P max 

⅓ V OC

Non Uniform Shading Effects 

Inverter Operating 

Voltage Range 

⅓ V MPP 

⅓ 

P n 

⅓V OC 

⅔ V MPP 

⅔ 

P n 

⅔V OC 

V MPP 

P n 

V OC 

Typical 245W Module Spec 

P n = 245W V MPP = 30.5V V OC = 37.5V 

Competitor 1 

Competitor 2 

MPP falls Out of uINV 

VDC range with 

1 diode in Bypass 

Competitor 3 

MPP can fall Out of 

uINV VDC range with 

1 diode in Bypass 

Competitor 4 

Competitor 5 

MPP falls Out of uINV 

VDC range only 

when two diodes are 

in Bypass 

Power-One 

DC input 

Voltage 

10 20 30 40 50 60 

10

System Components 

MICRO-0.25-I 

MICRO-0.3-I 

AURORA CDD 

Data logger 

AC TRUNK 

PLUG CAP 

To seal unused 

junctions 

AC TRUNK CABLE 

To connect inverter to the grid 

Supports 60, 72 and 96 cell modules 

AC TRUNK 

END CAP 

To seal ends of 

trunk cable 

AC TRUNK 

UNLOCK TOOL 

To disconnect 

inverter from 

trunk cable 

11

AC Cabling Solution 

Drop Cable 

Ground 

Screw 

Trunk Cable 

4 wires, AWG10 

12 

Cable Pitch

High Design Flexibility: Portrait or Landscape 

13

MICRO AC cabling Solution 

Cable Length - Portrait Orientation 

1.05 m 

(60,72 or 96 cells module) 

14


Cable Length - Landscape Orientation 

1.70 m (60, 96 cells module) 

2.05 m (72 cells module) 

15


Accessories 

Waterproof Cap: 

IP67 cap used when one of the bus plug is not connected to a 

MICRO. 

To unlock waterproof caps unlocking tool is required. 

End Cap: 

Used to protect and seal exposed cable wires in case where installers need to 

cut trunk cable during the installation to adjust the length or number of the 

microinverters used. 

End cap is IP67 rated and can be assembled only once, locking mechanism 

does not allow cap to be opened. Once used cap needed to be dispose a new 

cap is to apply. 

Start bus adapter cable glands & counterpart: 

Used to connect the installer cabling at the beginning of the AC 

bus. 

The adapter and the counterpart is IP67 rated. 

Unlocking tool: 

Used to disassemble mated connectors on the trunk cable and drop 

cable or bulkhead connector assembled to microinverter. 

Tool is also used to unlock waterproof caps.

Plant Installation - Overview 

PV Module 

Mounting Rail 

Wiring Box 

End Waterproof Cap 

Drop Waterproof Cap 

Unlocking Tool 

MICRO Drop Cable 

DC Wires 

Micro Inverter 

AC Trunk Cable 

Temporary Cap 

Trunk Waterproof Cap 

17

Plant Installation steps 

1 

2 3 

Fix MICRO’s on the racking system, roll out the cable on the roof along the mounting rail and 

position the T-junctions opposite to the MICRO that are going to be connected to the Trunk 

cable. 

Be careful to respect the distances between 

MICRO’s and choose the right trunk cable pitch 

based on the size and orientation of the PV 

modules 

18


1 2 3 

2 

Secure T-junction with cable ties using 

the cavities of the overmold. 

Fix the end bus waterproof cap where 

needed. 

Cable 

ties 

19


1 2 3 

Align the mating connectors and 

join mating parts together. 

Roll out the ground cable connecting 

all the inverters 

20

Installation of System Grounding of Micro Inverters 

21

Installation of System Grounding of Micro Inverters 

22


Build a map of the plant, use the MAC 

address labels from each inverter, in bag 

and positioning them on the appropriate 

format 

ATTENTION: Do it before 

installing PV Modules!! 

Then, using the map, configure the plant 

country standard via AURORA CDD 

integrated Web server. 

23


Mounting Example 

Consider – 

UF Splice Kit 

End cap 

Cap cover 

Junction Boxes and 

Other BoS not 

provided 

24

Consider using UF splice kit and heat shrink sleeve to make connections 

sleek and clean.

MICRO - FAQ 

We use Amphenol Connectors but industry uses MC4. 

How do we counter this problem 

• Competition also uses Amphenol 

• We have 3 rd party test reports (TUV) for intermateability of 

MC4 and Amphenol 

Why don’t we offer Tyco connectors 

• Tyco connectors are not UL compliant for chassis mount 

solution yet 

26

MICRO - FAQ 

How many inverters can we connect on a Trunk Cable 

Model 208VAC 240VAC 

Max current 

measured 

Number of 

inverters on 

20A breaker 

(16A max) 

Max current 

measured 

Number of 

inverters on 

20A breaker 

(16A max) 

MICRO-0.25-I 1.20A 13 1.04A 15 

MICRO-0.3-I 1.44A 11 1.25A 12 

27

Micro Communication System Overview 

28

CDD (Concentrator Data Device) Overview 

29

CDD (Concentrator Data Device) Overview 

PARAMETER 

Inverter Communication 

CDD 

Standard Radio IEEE 802.15.4 

(2.4GHz) 

Sample Rate 

Max distance (free space) 

furthest Micro 

4 sec ...60 sec 

50m (can be extended 15m 

with external antenna ) 

Maximum number of devices 30 

Communication to Modem/PC 

Wireless IEEE 802.11 (2.4GHz) / 

10Mbps 

Wired 

Inverter connection 

Data visualization 

Power Supply 

Other 

Ethernet / 10...100Mbps 

1 x RS485 

Aurora Web Server 

Ext Plug-in Adapter 5Vdc 

Enclosure NEMA 1 

Dimensions (WxHxD) 

Display 

180x155x25 mm 

16 characters x 2 lines OLED

Aurora CDD: Mesh Network Topology 

Automatic and Dynamic Reassignement Coverage 

Alarm! 

Up to 50m

CDD Layout 

32

CDD Layout 

33

Connect CDD to WIFI 

During the Registration of the CDD on Aurora Vision the “Radio Communication 

MAC Address” must be used. 

34

CDD Display Overview 

During normal Operation the 

CDD scrolls through five screens 

and displays general information 

35

By pressing any button 

during normal operation, 

you gain access to set up, 

basic informative screens 

related to the CDD 

36

CDD Display “STATISTICS” Overview 

To access the advanced menu, simultaneously 

press and hold the UP and DOWN buttons for 3 

seconds and then enter the password 0010 

37

CDD Display “VIEW INFORMATION” Overview 

38

CDD Display “CHANGE SETTINGS” Overview 

39

Connect CDD to WiFi 

1 2 3 

Attach the power supply to the CDD. The CDD will prompt you to enable WiFi. Once 

the WiFi is enabled, the CDD will automatically start scanning for available WiFi 

networks. 

40


1 2 3 

Select the appropriate WiFi network. Enter the Network Security key if needed. 

This indicates the network signal strength 

41


1 2 3 

The CDD gives you a Web Server IP. Record this information for future reference. 

NOTE: This will be different for every site. 

This is used to access the LOCAL User Interface (UI). 

NOTE: To access the UI Wirelessly, your PC has to 

be connected to the same network as the CDD. 

Be sure to confirm that the WiFi AutoConnect 

is on. If the network goes down, the CDD will 

have to be manually connected again. 

42

CDD Integrated Web server 

Enter the Web 

Server IP into the 

URL bar of any 

Browser 

Click Config and 

run the Aquasition 

Wizard 

43


Enter username/password 

(Default is admin/admin) 

44


CDD scanning for 

MICROs 

(20 mins + -) 

45


CDD shows the 

identified 

MICRO MAC 

address 

46


Stop Acquisition 

once all of the 

MICRO Inverters 

have been found 

47


Choose Country 

standard on 

MICRO Inverters 

48


USA 240 SplitPhase 

USA 208 

HAWAII 240 SplitPhase 

HAWAII 208 

CEI-021 

VDE-AR-N 4105 

VDE0126 

AUSTRALIA 

UK_G83-2 

Spanish_Cstd 

Benelux_GridStd 

HAWAII_HELCO 240V Split 

Phase 

HAWAII_HELCO 208V 

HAWAII_MECO 240V Split 

Phase 

HAWAII_MECO 208V 

HAWAII_KIUC 240V Split 

Phase 

HAWAII_KIUC 208V 

GreeceMainland 

Greece Islands 

Czech Republic 

49


Customer Self- 

Registration 

This allows the 

homeowner to track 

their system with 

Aurora Vision 

50

AURORA VISION Self Registration – Step 1 

Link to AURORA 

VISION Self- 

Registration 

Process 

Step 1: 

Instructions and 

personal 

information 

51

User Validation Email 

Activation email sent 

contains 

Link to ‘Register Plant’ page 

When user clicks on link then: 

• Create a user account 

• Log user in and place them in the 

‘Register Plant’ page. 

If User does not click on link after 

5 days then: 

• Send email to user that their 

registration timed out. Text: “Your 

registration request has timed out. 

Please restart the registration 

process if you wish to register your 

home solar power system at: 

http://URLGoesHere … 

52


Step 2: Provide Site 

information 

53


Step 3: Register CDD 

with Aurora Vision. 

All inverters associated 

with the CDD will 

automatically be 

populated. 

54

Registration Complete Email 

Confirmation sent email 

contains 

You have successfully registered your Power-One solar power 

equipment and can now monitory your system! 

Please bookmark the link below to view/monitory the energy 

created by your solar power system. 

http://acct.auroravision.net/act/pub/newUserSignup.svttoken=9bdc 

fcaf949a4e996fb1ff4900234a1b99ca2d9d 

Your installer’s name and contact info is: Name: xxx Phone: Email: 

Below is a list of the devices that have been registered to your 

home: 

Information about devices 

registered and link back to login 

page with suggestion on 

bookmarking the page. 

Link brings you to Aurora Easy 

View 

Name Serial# Dev Type Model 

CDD Default 1 1213421 Logger PVI_CDD_MOD1 

EDD Default 1 213423 Module PVI_EDD_MOD1 



55

Monitor MICROs with AURORA Easy View 

Plant summary and 

weather information 

Graphical display of 

power generation for 

day/week/month/year 

Module level monitoring 

performed here 

56

Check the CDD-to-MICRO Signal Strength 

Access the User 

Interface and 

select “View” then 

“RF Signal”


58


59


Above 70% : No communication problems occur 

Between 40% and 70% : Communication runs; possible 

delay in data transfer and slower upgrade process 

Below 40% : low signal strength, the signal has to be boosted 

(ext.Ant or booster or move CDD) 

60


61


15m 

62

AURORA MICRO 

Design for Reliability

Micro – Design for Reliability Approach 

Design for 

Reliability 

• Components Selection: Film Capacitors increase Reliability 

• Conversion Topology: minimum number of components 

and soft-switching operation 

• Thermal Management: heat sinks, low losses components 

and distances, no fans or other moving parts 

MTBF and 

Testing 

• 1,233,700 hours (using Telcordia Issue 1) 

• Factory test on 100% of manufactured units: Burn-in , 

Optical automatic Inspection, Insulation test, Functional 

Test. 

• Extensive factory and field reliability testing 

System 

Reliability 

• Panel level fault detection makes for easy 

troubleshooting 

• All system components covered under standard 10 

year warranty (MICRO, CDD, cables and accessories) 

65

AURORA MICRO Product Architecture 

Dual Stage Topology allows wide MPP 

Range and no DC input current ripple 

NEMA 4X 

Enclosure 

No fans or other 

moving parts 

Electrolyte-free power converter 

increases life expectancy and 

long term reliability

Reliability Tests: Life Test 

The life test is designed to demonstrate the MTBF evaluation. Every time the test 

is stopped to change parameter, components etc. you have to start from the 

beginning. 

• 55 inverters and 3 CDDs 

• Connected to 59.2Vdc (Vmp = 51.5Vdc), Imp = 6.2A 

• AC out put 230VAC, 50Hz grid 

• Constant 55°C ambient temperature 

• All inverters producing maximum continuous output power 

No failures recorded 

Date 

Number of DUT 

Hours worked 

(Each DUT) 

MTBF 

Demonstrated 

(hours) 

Total On/Off cycles Number of failure 

Life Test Status 

19/09/2012 - 19/10/2012 18 456:00:00 101267 456 0 20.50% 

22/10/2012 - 04/11/2012 55 278:16:49 289908 278 0 59.00% 

04/11/2012 - 15/11/2012 55 264:00:00 469050 542 0 95.00% 

15/11/2012 - 22/11/2012 55 175:27:05 587799 717 0 119.09% 

22/11/2012 - 28/11/2012 55 142:24:09 687548 860 0 138.75%

Reliability Tests: Strife/Overload Test 

The strife or overload test purpose is to define the power margins in all allowed 

functional condition in terms of: Output Power, Grid Voltage, Input voltage. 

• Environment temperature: 65°C 

• Working conditions: 

• DC Input: Five Vin steps (12V, 20V, 30V, 50V and 63V); Iin was gradually 

increased up to +20% of rated input current of condition under testing. 

• AC Output: Three output voltage steps (270V , 240V, 180V) , 60Hz 

simulated grid. 

• Requirements to switch to the next condition: Unit has to work for at least 4 

hours after reaching the thermal stabilization. 

No failures recorded

Reliability Tests: High Temperature Test 

In the High Temperature test, The Inverter will be considered meeting the STRIFE 

target, if it survives the testing with at least 10°C or +30% of rated operating 

ambient temperature (without derating) over the maximum specified 

temperature. 

 

The device was set on rated output voltage (240Vac),60Hz simulated grid. 

MPPT enabled : Vdc = 40V Idc = 7.9A 

 

 

All Temperature protection was disabled 

The device was tested at: 

1. 75°C (Maximum working temperature) 

2. 82.5°C(Tmax +10%) 

3. 90°C(Tmax+20%) 

4. 97.5°C(Tmax+30%) 

After the thermal stabilization the device must remain in each condition at least for 4 

hours. 

 

No Failures 

Reported!!! 

Top and bottom enclosure temperature, Microinverter internal temperature and 

environmental temperature were continuously monitored.

Reliability Tests: Low Temperature Test 

In the Low Temperature test, the MICRO Inverter will be considered meeting the 

strife requirements if it can turn-on and exports the maximum output power at a 

temperature at least 10°C below the minimum specified temperature. 

• Software protections were disabled 

• Inverter startup was tested for -40°C, -44°C, -48°C, -52°C ambient

Reliability Tests: Humidity Freeze Test 

In the Low Temperature test, the MICRO Inverter will be considered meeting the 

Humidity Freeze requirements if it can turn-on and exports the maximum output 

power without any variations on performance. 

• 59.2VDC, 230VAC, 50Hz, CDD communication active 

• -40°C to +85°C, 85%RH (relative humidity) 

• 10 thermal cycles of 20 hours high, 4 hours low temperature 

• Inverters producing full rated output power 

• No faults detected

Reliability Tests: Thermal Shock 

In the Thermal Shock test, is used to evaluate the boards assembly quality 

(soldering joints, components, etc.) once they are submitted to fast thermal shocks 

between -25°C and +100°C for a total of 1000 cycles. 

• Bare board of MICRO-I-0.3(0.25) OUTD placed on thermal shock chamber lift. 

Not operating 

• Temperature shock: from -25°C to +100°C in 10sec. ; dwell time 10 min. High 

Temp./ 10 min. Low temp., 1000 cycles. 

• Board temperature 

monitored by data-logger. 

• No faults detected

Reliability Tests: Vibration and Corrosion Test 

• Vibration test 

This test is designed to find any weakness on the 

mechanical assembly, component defects, as well as 

workmanship or manufacturing process issues can be 

uncovered and corrected. 

– 3-axis random vibration 

– DUT passed functional tests after vibration test 

• Corrosion test 

– Reference standard: ISO 21207 method B, mix salt 

and industrial contaminants. 

– Test duration: 5 week, simulating 27 years exposure 

in industrial environment 

– Inverter casing proven to ensure long term 

reliability

Phoenix beta test site 

• Testing duration 6 months 

• August 2012 – February 2013 

• Continuous monitoring using 

Aurora Vision 

• Inverters, CDD and cables 

undergoing analysis for wear and 

tear 

• No failures reported from any 

worldwide beta site

Reliability that is unmatched! 

All tests were well outside the limits of real-world 

operational conditions 

0 failures detected 

Currently no inverter failures have been reported- 

No RMAs have been issued 

75

MICRO: Summary 

Micro 

250 W 

300 W 

High Performance 

• High CEC Efficiency 

• Fast & Precise MPP Tracking Algorithm 

High Reliability 

• Electrolytic-free Capacitors 

• NEMA 4X Enclosure Rating 

Fast Installation 

• Simple AC trunk cable solution 

Easy to Monitor 

• Wireless monitoring solution 

• Panel level monitoring 

76

Thank You! 

Technical Training 

Power 77 One of North America 

training@power-one.com

micro, cdd - Power-One

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