Battery Monitoring Products
Manufactured by PBT, a SENS company.
Site Controller Unit
PBT-PA-SC4
The PBT SC4 site controller is a 4th-generation design based on a secure and powerful Linux computer foundation. The unit is very small, has no moving parts, and can be powered from a DC power source (battery or fuse panel) or from a local AC utility outlet. Each controller can gather data from up to 240 battery sensors, arranged via 6 inputs of 40 sensors each. Maximize the capacity by using virtual string logic or gain deeper insight by matching inputs to physical strings. The site controller has extensive, user-definable configuration, including labels and alarm thresholds for every monitored element. The SC4 can also track float charging, ripple, and discharge current on each string, via current monitoring sensors made by PBT.
Extensive Interface Capabilities
In addition to monitoring the battery plant, the SC4 also has 2 powered RS-485 interfaces that are used to interface with Remote Input Modules (RIMs) and Remote Output Modules (ROMs) made by PBT. RIMs and ROMs can be used to build very extensive and powerful monitoring solutions for generators or facilities monitoring. A USB interface is provided for the low-level configuration of the unit. Three form-c relay outputs are provided for local alarm indications or for remote control of other equipment.
The SC4 has several interface mechanisms built-in, including an extensive configurable web server that displays site, string, and individual jar information, charge/discharge currents, RIM/ROM information, and much, much more. A full SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) implementation allows any SNMP-compliant management software to provision the system, collect data, process alarms, and perform tests. An optional DNP3 monitoring interface is available.
Small Form Factor, High Impact
The SC4 is encased in a small, high-impact, flame-retardant housing that fits in a 1RU rack height. A rack bracket that holds two SC4 units side-by-side is available. Other hardware features include a 10/100 Ethernet interface, a +12VDC output for powering auxiliary interface devices, a plug-in flash memory drive for data logging, and a very comprehensive set of LED indicators.
Extensive Logging System
The SC4 is equipped with a very extensive logging system. Many years of logged data are maintained for periodic string/battery parameter measurements, discharge performance, and system events such as alarms, errors, and user login attempts. All log entries are in CSV file format and all entries are date/time stamped. Log files can be downloaded remotely from the SC4 over the network, or locally by removing and reading the USB flash drive.
Always in Control
- Linux Operating System
- IPv4 and IPv6
- SNMP v1, v2c or v3
- FTP/SCP for firmware updates and log file access
- Optional WiFi with encryption and authentication
- SSL and SSH with encryption and authentication
- Supports up to 240 battery sensors on 6 ports in normal, combined, and split strings
- Support for wireless battery sensors
- Supports up to 8 RIMs, 8 ROMs, 6 FCSs, and 6 UGMs.
- Web server with encryption
- DNP3
- HVAC control via optional slave HVAC controller, or P-Bus devices
- Immediate, periodic, and discharge data logging
- Event, error, and debug message logging
- SNMP configuration via SSH or Web page
- Support for scripting and multiple web servers
Present | |
Monitored battery string inputs | 6 maximum; up to 32 strings with virtualization |
Monitored batteries, each string | 40 maximum |
Monitored Batteries, all strings | 240 jars/batteries; up to 240 jars per string |
Parameters monitored (each string) float and discharge current will require optional sensor | String voltage, float current, ripple current, battery voltage delta, discharge status, discharge/load current with third-party sensor (provided by PBT) |
Parameters monitored (each battery) | Terminal post DC voltage, terminal post temperature, battery and cell admittance |
Data logging | Stores event, periodic performance and discharge performance log files. User defined interval for logging of all measured parameters |
Programmable alarm thresholds | 4 user-defined thresholds for each analog parameter: “High-High”, “Low-High”, “High-Low”, “Low-Low” |
Communications data interfaces | Internal SNMP proxy agent, internal web server, internal Telnet client, internal email client, proprietary 2x RJ-45 (P-Bus) * USB local programming and configuration serial interface, USB modem/GP serial port, six proprietary optically isolated serial sensor communications interfaces |
Communications protocols | TCP/IP, UDP, SNMP, HTTP, HTTPS, SSL, SSH, SMTP, NTP, FTP, TLS |
Packaging | Black ABS plastic 94VO |
Options | Rack bracket; “wall-wart” power pack, cable kits. RIM, ROM, current sensors |
Battery string interfaces (6 ea) | Proprietary bi-directional current loop signaling; Optically-isolated (1200V); short circuit protected |
Battery sensor interconnection wiring | CAT-5e or CAT-6; 200 feet per 40 jar/battery string; 350 feet per 24 jar/battery string |
Local programming/configuration interface | USB |
Ethernet interface | Magnetically coupled and isolated per industry standards |
Input power | 18 VDC to 65 VDC; 5W nominal; up to 15W max depending on load of auxiliary power output; ground isolated; fused |
Auxiliary power output | 12.5vdc nominal, .5amp max, short circuit protected |
Digital output | Three programmable digital outputs which can be mapped to alarm thresholds forced to change states manually (via SNMP or web page) |
Ethernet status indicators | 2 front panel LEDs; 2 rear panel LEDs; link speed (10/100); network activity |
Battery string activity/status indicators | 1 bi-color LED per string interface; communications activity & status |
Other indicators | 1 bi-color LED per USB, 1 input power LED, 1 output power LED, 1 bicolor per P-Bus port |
Ethernet connector | Industry standard |
Battery string connectors (6 ea) | RJ-45 |
Local programming connector (1ea) | Type B USB |
Logging memory connector (1 ea) | Type A USB |
General purpose USB (1ea) | Type A USB |
Power input connector | 3-pin plug-in screw terminal block; supplied mating connector |
Power output connector | 2-terminal barrier block |
P-Bus interface (2ea) | RJ-45 (For interfacing with RIM, ROM & current sensor modules) |
Aux interface | RJ-45 |
Size | 8.1”W x 4.3”D x 1.65”H |
Weight | 1 lb |
Housing material | Black ABS plastic (ABS 94 VO); UL file 56070 |
Operating temperature range | -30 deg C to +65 deg C |
Relative humidity | 0 to 90%, non-condensing |