Addition of Industrial Power Supply and ESP Module-based WiFi Interface to PWRC2/INTI units

The evolving needs of the INTI-Cutral Có Test Field related to the testing of small grid-connected wind turbines (from 2018 onwards) required improvements in the equipment’s operating conditions. The original system of the PWRC2s operating since 2012 was designed for the testing of battery charging equipment. The centralized power supply was implemented via a single 24 V DC bar and step-down switching power supplies to 10.6 V DC with a single common negative ground. For current grid-connected equipment testing, it is advisable to isolate the power supply in each PWRC2 using individual industrial-grade grid-connected power supplies, with individual filters and protections. In addition, a web / WiFi interface based on an Espressif ESP8266 controller (ESP-12 variant) was added to facilitate test configuration.

The web/Wi-Fi interface as an alternative to the normal RS232/Ethernet converter mode of operation (which can be switched back via switches accessible on a lower DIN rail module) is an important addition to ease the operation of the PWRC2 systems.

The element added to PWRC2 is called ESP-Conv1, and its block diagram is shown in the following figure.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its objective is to allow the RS232 interface on the front of the PWRC2 to be used in conventional terminal mode via RS232 (bypass) directed to the PWRC2’s CL2 board (Mode 1), or to the ESP12’s integrated WiFi module via its internal serial port (to update its Webserver software) (Mode 2). Additionaly the internal serial port can be directed to the external terminal for Mode 2, or to the CL2 board port (Mode 3), in which case the PWRC2 can be accessed by the user via WiFi using the functionality of the integrated ESP12 module.

The system installed in the INTI-Cutral-Co Testing Laboratory can be seen in the following figure. A configuration screen accessible via the internal Wi-Fi network is also shown.

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detailed Manual  (Sp-PDF): Manual_PWRC2_v10d(v15-05-2022)a

Detailed Mode 3 ESP-Conv1 Description (Sp-PDF): Modo3_ESPWRC2con-vinculacion-aPWRC2_v10d(23-06-2022)

-0-