GxTracker TM INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL. The Geoexchange Tracker

Transcription

1 GxTracker TM The Geoexchange Tracker INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL Ground Energy Support, LLC 2 Washington Street, Suite 217 Dover, NH Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

2 Contents The GxTracker TM... 3 Installation Instructions... 3 Step 1: Install GxTracker TM Gateway... 5 Step 2: Install Data-Collecting Devices... 6 Step 2a: Install GxTracker TM Temperature Sensors... 6 Step 2b: Install Current Switch(es)... 7 Step 3: Register the GxTracker TM... 9 Step 4: View GxTracker TM Data and Analyses Support and TroubleShooting Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

3 The GxTracker TM The GxTracker TM (the Geoexchange Tracker) is an easy-to-install system that monitors the exchange of renewable energy with the ground by ground source heat pumps (GSHPs). GSHPs are commonly referred to as geothermal heat pumps. Using sensors equipped with One- Wire technology, the GxTracker TM measures GSHP system data and transmits the data through the user s internet connection to the GES website Graphics illustrating the synthesized data are presented at GES s online data portal. GxTracker TM users can see the following data and analyses at GES s online data portal: The amount of renewable heat exchanged with the ground (Geoexchange) The amount of fossil fuels needed to produce an equivalent amount of thermal energy as the GSHP geoexchange (Renewal Energy Equivalents) Alerts when the GSHP system is operating outside the range of user-specified conditions Local weather conditions and forecasts Graphs of raw GxTracker TM data including entering and leaving water temperatures (EWT and LWT), the change in entering and leaving water temperatures (delta T), and daily GSHP runtimes Downloadable GxTracker TM data Cost savings and carbon offsets of the GSHP system as compared to traditional heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems (available only to GxTracker TM Plus owners) Installation Instructions Before beginning installation, make sure the following are available at the site: Standard AC electrical outlet (120V) Always-on broadband internet connection Broadband router with spare ethernet port An Up-to-date web browser. Supported browsers are Internet Explorer 8 or higher, Firefox 3.6 or higher, Chrome 5 or higher, and Safari 4 or higher. Your browser must have Javascript enabled. 3 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

4 Check this GxTracker TM kit for the following items: GxTracker TM Gateway and AC power adapter GxTracker TM temperature sensors (2) CR-Magnetics CR-9380-P139 current switch (1) (1) GxTracker current switch adapter cable (1) RJ11 telephone line cords o 15-ft cords (2) o 7-ft cords (2) o 6-inch cord (1) RJ11 telephone line connectors o 2-to-1 connectors (2) o 1-to-1 connectors (2) Insulating tape Cable ties (20) Owner s Manual GxTracker TM Installation Form NOTE: This GxTracker TM Kit is a collection of data-collecting and transmission devices for a GSHP system containing a single heat pump and an ethernet connection in close proximity to the heat pump. If more than one heat pump is present, please order the Additional Heat Pump Kit GXT-HP. If an Ethernet connection is not present close to the heat pump, please either order the Internet Connectivity Kit GXT-IT, purchase a compatible Internet Powerline Adapter, or work with your internet provider to provide you with an internet connection for the GxTracker TM Gateway. Other items that are useful for installing the GxTracker TM include: Phillips screw driver Step stool Duct tape Flashlight Wire snippers for trimming cable ties 4 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

5 The four basic steps for installing the GxTracker TM are as follows: Step 1: Install GxTracker TM Gateway Connect Gateway to power source Connect Gateway to Ethernet Step 2: Install Data-Collecting Devices: Temperature sensors Current Switch(es) Attach data-collecting devices to Gateway Step 3: Register GxTracker TM at Step 4: View data and analyses at Step 1: Install GxTracker TM Gateway 1. Wall-mount the Gateway near a 120V electrical outlet and as close as possible to the site s GSHP(s). Alternatively, the Gateway can be placed in a secure location off the ground, such as on a shelf. 2. Connect the Gateway to an electrical outlet with the enclosed AC power adapter. The green PWR/ACT LED will begin to flash at one second intervals, indicating that the Gateway is operating normally. 3. Connect the Gateway to the Ethernet. If an Ethernet connection is not available, use a powerline adapter (PLA) such as the GxTracker TM Internet Connectivity Kit (GXT-IC). An alternative to the GXT-IC is a locally-purchased PLA or working with the site s internet provider to secure an Ethernet connection for the Gateway. Follow the PLA instructions for connecting the Gateway to the internet. When the Gateway is connected, the green LED on the Ethernet connector will illuminate, indicating a valid network connection. The yellow LED on the Ethernet connector blinks only when there is network traffic. Figure 1 illustrates how a PLA connects the Gateway to the internet. 5 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

6 4. Verify that the Gateway is communicating with the GES server. GES will send an to the user confirming that the Gateway is posting data. Step 2: Install Data-Collecting Devices Step 2a: Install GxTracker TM Temperature Sensors Figure 1 1. Peel off protective plastic on temperature sensor thermal pads. 2. Secure temperature sensors to exposed metal on GSHP groundloop piping carrying water ENTERING (EWT) and LEAVING (LWT) the heat pump (Figure 2). NOTE: The accuracy of the GxTracker TM is dependent on securing the sensor to metal if the sensor is secured to PVC, the GxTracker TM data and analyses will be inaccurate. Use cable ties to attach temperature sensors to piping. If full contact of the temperature sensor with the metal pipe is difficult to achieve, the gap between the sensor and the pipe can be filled in with a few pieces of thermal pad (provided with the kit). 3. Carefully record temperature sensor ID numbers (found on bird bands) on the GxTracker TM Installation Diagram included with this kit. GES ID Number Figure 2 6 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

7 Step 2b: Install Current Switch(es) ELECTROCUTION HAZARD: A certified electrician or experienced GSHP installer should follow these steps to install current switch(es). 1. Turn off power to GSHP(s) at the electrical panel. Figure 3 2. Identify the hot wire (power feed) for the main GSHP compressor (consult GSHP manual as necessary). Install the current switch on the hot wire as shown on Figure 3. Hot Wire Current Switch Current Switch Leads 3. Run the black and red current switch leads outside of the heat pump (e.g. through a knock -out) and attach to the corresponding terminal block on current switch adapter cable (Figure 4 ). Figure 4 4. Carefully record current switch ID number(s) on the GxTracker TM Installation Diagram provided in this kit. The current switch ID number is on the bird band around the current switch adapter cable. 7 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

8 5. Using the phone lines and connectors included in this kit, connect the datacollecting devices to the Gateway (Figure 5-A). Note that all different types of data-collecting devices can be connected together with phone lines and connectors. Use reducing connectors to join lines together so that no more than three (3) lines arrive at the Gateway. Plug up to three data device lines into the Gateway ports labeled 1-Wire RJ12 (Detail 5-B) Figure 5-A Detail 5-B 8 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

9 Step 3: Register the GxTracker TM Registration of the GxTracker TM is done online at the GES website. The following example shows how a customer registers a GxTracker (GXT), Additional Heat Pump Kit (GXT-HP), Extra Temperature Sensor GXT-T, Flow Kit (GXT-F), and Power Monitoring Kit for 3 circuits (GXT-P3). Login: Visit the GES website and select the Login tab in the upper right hand corner of the landing page. When prompted, enter your username and password provided on the GxTracker Installation Diagram.. 9 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

10 GxTracker Configuration Temperature Sensors: Using the pulldown menus, select the GES ID number of the temperature sensors as installed on the Entering and Leaving pipes of the GSHP system(s). The GES ID numbers are found beneath the barcode on the yellow bird bands wrapped around the temperature sensor cables. GxTracker Configuration Current Switch Sensor: Using the pulldown menus, select the GES ID number of the current switch adapter for each heat pump. The GES ID numbers are found beneath the barcode on the yellow bird bands wrapped around the cable. 10 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

11 GxTracker Configuration System Information: Heat Pump Model: Inputting the correct heat pump model is important when modeling electricity usage. GES will use the manufacturer specifications to estimate the kwh consumption. If your heat pump is not listed, please contact us and we will work with the manufacturer to get the necessary information. Heat Pump Flowrate: A number of the data products rely upon an accurate value of flow rate through each heat pump. In most systems, the flow rate is constant and set to a design value during the system commissioning process. Check with your installer about the flow rate for each heat pump. A commonly used rule-of-thumb is 3 gallons per minute per ton of capacity. For example, the flow through a 4-ton heat pump will often be set to 12 gallons per minutes. If you are interested in measuring your flow rate, GES can provide some additional instructions, please contact us. Building Information: The building characteristics are optional and are not required for any of the current data products. As GES compiles data from different geographic regions, these data will be useful to interpret trends and improve the overall understanding of ground source heat pump technology under different climate conditions. While the electric rate is optional, if you have a special rate through your utility, you can input it here and it will be used to compute your operating cost. Be sure to update it regularly so that your computed costs are accurate. If you do not have a special rate and would like to rely on the values GES obtains from the DoE for your region, please leave this field blank. 11 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

12 GxTracker Configuration Alerts & Notifications: The GxTracker TM offers a number alerts (and additional alerts will be added in the future). Consult with your GSHP manual and installer for recommended settings. DISCLAIMER: GxTracker Alerts are provided as an auxiliary component of the GxTracker data collection and analysis system. They are not intended to replace regular maintenance by a qualified professional nor should they be relied upon as the sole means for system maintenance and troubleshooting. The ability of the GxTracker system to issue alerts depends on the continuity of data reporting by the Gateway and the proper installation and configuration of sensors. GxTracker Alerts are for informational purposes only and should not be used to automate the control of a GSHP system. Ground Energy Support LLC assumes no liability for any losses incurred that may result from 12 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

13 Step 4: View GxTracker TM Data and Analyses After completing the registration process, users logging in to will be immediately directed to their Data Dashboard. The Data Dashboard displays GSHP system geoexchange data (MBTUs exchanged with the ground over a user-specified time period), fuel equivalents for the selected time period, and relevant GSHP system alerts. GSHP installers with multiple GxTracker TM installations will first be directed to the Console page. From this page, the user is shown the locations of all GxTracker TM installations and if any of these installations are in an alarm state. The user can then select the GxTracker TM installation of interest. 13 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

14 The Data Dashboard has three other navigational tabs: Data, Settings or Savings. Selecting the Data tab allows the user to view raw data from the data devices. MBtuH stands for thousands of Btus per hour and is commonly used to represent the amount of heat extracted from or rejected to the ground loop. 14 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

15 Selecting the Savings tab displays cost savings and carbon offsets as compared to other methods of heating and cooling over a user-specified time period. Cost Comparisons: Operating costs are computed based on measured heat pump runtime and either measured (GXT Power Monitoring Accessory) or modeled (using heat pump specifications) power consumption. These operating costs are shown in the right hand column of the Costs graph and compared with the cost of the equivalent amount of conventional fuels. Cost Savings: The Operating Cost of the GSHP system is subtracted from the equivalent cost of conventional fuels shown above. To adjust the period over which savings are calculated use the date range tools at the top of the page. Cost Comparisons: The Carbon emissions of the GSHP system based on the amount of electricity used is subtracted from the carbon that would have been emitted by using one of the conventional fuels show. To adjust the period over which savings are calculated use the date range tools at the top of the page. 15 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC

16 Troubleshooting & Support For the latest information on troubleshooting, please visit the website: 16 Copyright 2012 Ground Energy Support LLC