Quick guide

PowerUSER
Configuration and diagnostics software

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Contents
1 Overview .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
2 Drive view ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
3 Settings view .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Serial connection configuration............................................................................................................................................................ 5
3.2 CAN connection configuration .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
4 History view ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
5 Diagnostics view ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.1 Active faults tab ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
5.2 Log tab ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
6 Firmware update view..................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
6.1 Firmware update package selection ................................................................................................................................................ 12
7 Parameters view ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
7.1 Parameter editor dialog ........................................................................................................................................................................ 14
8 Signals view ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
8.1 Signals view action menu ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16
8.2 Signal editor dialog ................................................................................................................................................................................. 17
9 Parameter tools view ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
9.1 View, edit or compare file ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19
9.1.1 Edit left or right set of parameters ........................................................................................................................................... 20
9.1.2 Parameter values write dialog ................................................................................................................................................... 21
9.1.3 Parameter compare ....................................................................................................................................................................... 22
10 Scope view......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
10.1 Scope view and available functions ............................................................................................................................................... 23
10.2 Viewing controls section .................................................................................................................................................................... 24
10.3 Scope axis configuration .................................................................................................................................................................... 25
10.4 Operating controls section ................................................................................................................................................................ 27
10.5 Scope signal selection ......................................................................................................................................................................... 28
10.6 Signal scope logging configuration ............................................................................................................................................... 29
10.6.1 Logging settings configuration .............................................................................................................................................. 30
10.7 Diagnostic scope logging configuration...................................................................................................................................... 32
10.7.1 Diagnostic logger configuration options ........................................................................................................................... 33
10.7.2 Diagnostic logger step configuration .................................................................................................................................. 34
10.7.3 Diagnostic logger trigger configuration ............................................................................................................................. 35
10.7.4 Diagnostic logger configuration summary ........................................................................................................................ 36

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1 Overview
PowerUSER is configuration, logging and diagnostic tool for Danfoss Editron products. PowerUSER has
nine different views which you can select with the wheel at left. You can return to previous view with the
back button at top right.

Figure 1. PowerUSER view selection.

2 Drive view
Drive view is currently not supported. Local control of the connected device should be done using the
signals and/or signal scope view, see chapters 8 and 10.

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3 Settings view
Setting view contains common PowerUSER settings:
 Selection of connection type and settings associated with the type, more about configuring
connections in following chapters.
 UI options:
□ You can change header title of the window.
□ Create, load or save UI profiles.
 Current connection and state can be seen at bottom right of the screen.
 Currently connected device is shown at bottom left (e.g. Inverter). If device supports setting name
it is displayed right next to it and can be set by clicking on top of it.

Figure 2. Serial configuration at Settings view.

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3.1 Serial connection configuration

Serial connection configuration is done by selecting a serial port from the drop-down list to be used by
PowerUSER e.g. “COM13”.

Figure 3: Serial port settings.

If FTDI USB-serial converters are used following steps can be helpful before setting up the PowerUSER
serial connection:

1.) On Windows 7 and later systems FTDI drivers are installed automatically once the USB-serial
converter is plugged into USB port of the computer. However, with Windows XP based systems
one may have install FTDI drivers manually, which can be obtained from the following URI:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
2.) Once the FTDI drivers are installed and the USB-serial converter cable has been plugged into the
PC, “Device Manager”-program can be used to examine what COM port was assigned to the USB-
serial converter.
3.) Example of an assigned COM port can be seen in figure 5.

Finally, PowerUSER serial configuration should be set to reflect the assigned virtual COM port in “Device
Manager”.
Note: If Danfoss PSSC serial cables are used, there are always two “USB Serial Ports” listed – the
(numerically) first one will be used with PowerUSER connection. For example, if the list contains “COM4 –
USB Serial Port” and “COM5 – USB Serial Port”, COM4 should be chosen to establish connection with
PowerUSER.
Note: If multiple FTDI USB-serial converters are being used or the PC USB port is changed frequently then
one should always verify the correct COM port from “Device Manager”.

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Figure 4 Windows Device Manager application.

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3.2 CAN connection configuration

CAN connection configuration is done by setting connection attributes:

 Device and channel (PCAN-USB, PCAN-PCI and PCAN-LAN are supported with 16 channels each)
 CAN bus baud rate, e.g. “250 kbps”
 Separation time, which is the minimum delay time between CAN frames, e.g. “5 ms”. Smaller
value allows faster communication but uses more bandwidth. Increase the separation time to
decrease bus load and enable more reliable connection.
 Local CAN address associated with PowerUSER, e.g. “1”
 Remote CAN address associated with the Danfoss Editron device, e.g. “253”
 Note: CAN connection requires the 32-bit “PCANBasic.dll” to be copied under the PowerUSER
directory and the Windows system directory. The library can be obtained from the following URI
http://www.peak-system.com/fileadmin/media/files/pcan-basic.zip
 Read the installation instructions or readme file included in the PCAN basic API for more
information about the DLL installation.

Figure 5. CAN configuration at Settings view.

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4 History view
History view displays a list of events, warnings and errors occurred during PowerUSER usage session. List
isn’t persistent, it will be cleared upon PowerUSER restart. View has following actions:
 List can be saved into a file with the “Save” button
 List can be cleared at any time by pressing the “Clear” button.

Figure 6. History view.

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5 Diagnostics view
Diagnostic view contains tabs for currently active and past events that are reported by the connected
device. These events include faults, warnings, and system status messages such as device reboot,
firmware updates, etc.

 Active faults tab shows currently active warnings and faults.

 Log tab shows the history log for notes, warnings, faults and system actions.

5.1 Active faults tab

The active faults tab is for displaying currently active faults with the following available actions (shown in
Figure 7):

 “Update faults” button for updating warnings and faults.

 “Clear faults” button for clearing of active faults.

Note: Active faults are reset on reboot or power cycling of the device

Figure 7 Active faults tab at Diagnostics view.

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5.2 Log tab

The log tab displays a log of past notes, warnings, faults and system actions. This view has the following
actions (shown in Figure 8):

 “Update” button for updating active and past faults.

 “Erase log” button for erasing the current log from device.
 “Save log” button for saving the log to a CSV-type file.
 Type of events shown in the list can be narrowed down by using the right-hand panel

Figure 8. Diagnostics view Log tab.

Note: “Erase log” button does not clear the internal permanent fault memory of the inverter. It can be
used for diagnostic and troubleshooting purposes to clarify which faults have occurred after the log has
been erased.

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6 Firmware update view

Firmware update view shows current inverter firmware version and following controls to update it:

 “SELECT UPDATE” button for selecting a firmware update package file.

 “UPDATE DEVICE” button for starting the firmware update process.
 “Reboot device” button for sending a reboot request for the device.

Note: If there is no connection open or available to the

device, ‘Missing‘ will be displayed as current firmware version.
Firmware update sequence:

 Press “SELECT UPDATE” button

 Locate a firmware update package from file system with the browser dialog
 Press “UPDATE DEVICE” button

Figure 9. Firmware update view.

Note: The firmware update for an EC-C1200 inverter will take approx.
10 minutes, during which time PowerUSER and the computer must
remain open and running, and the serial cable as well as the inverter’s
24 V auxiliary power must remain connected.

The firmware update process cannot be paused or canceled after it has

begun, and forcing the update to stop by e.g. disconnecting the serial
cable can cause permanent damage to the device.

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6.1 Firmware update package selection

File selection dialog from computer file system with actions (shown in Figure 10):

 “X” button at top right corner for closing/canceling the pop-up dialog without any further actions
 “Default” button next to current path to change to default path.
 “Drives” button for changing computer drive
 “Refresh” button for refreshing of shown files and directory structure
 “Select” button for selecting the desired firmware update package
□ This action will close the pop-up dialog automatically

Figure 10. Firmware update package selection.

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7 Parameters view
Parameters view shows all device parameters with unique identifiers, categorized in named groups.
Parameters are fetched from device and they are device type dependent. Parameters are stored in
persistent memory i.e. value changes are held over reboot.

Parameters view has the following actions:

 Selecting parameter group

 Selecting and editing parameter from within a parameter group
 Search parameters by name or (partial or full) identifier

Figure 11. Parameters view.

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7.1 Parameter editor dialog

Parameter editor dialog opens when you double-click parameter (in parameters view Figure 11) or press
return when parameter is selected. Parameter editor shows detailed information for selected parameter:

 Name
 Group name
 Identifier (in the form of parametergroup.parameter)
 Type
 Unit (if available)
 Current value (value which is currently in use)
 Boot value (value which has been stored in parameter and will be used after reboot)
 Default value (factory default value)
 Minimum value
 Maximum value
 Description
 Edit controls
□ Edit controls are disabled if parameter is not writable.

Figure 12. Parameter editor dialog.

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8 Signals view
Signals view shows signals with unique identifiers in named groups. Signals are fetched from device and
they are device type dependent. View has following actions:

 Selecting signal group

 Selecting and editing signal from within a signal group
 Select signal for signal and/or diagnostic logging
 Search signals with name or id
 Set signal as favorite (with right click menu, shown in Figure 14)
 View favorites group

Figure 13. Signals view.

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8.1 Signals view action menu

Right click on any signal to open action menu:

 Add/remove signal to favorites

 Set logging (signal, diagnostic, or both)
 Clear all favorited signals
 Load or save favorites

Figure 14. Favourite signals at Signals view.

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8.2 Signal editor dialog

Signal editor dialog opens when you double-click signal (in signals view Figure 14) or press return on
selected signal. Signal editor shows detailed information for selected signal:

 Name
 Group name
 Identifier (in the form of signalgroup.signal)
 Type
 Unit (if available)
 Current value
 Description
 Edit controls

Figure 15. Signal editor dialog.

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9 Parameter tools view

Parameter tools view has various tools for working with parameters:

 View, edit or compare parameter backup files

 Create a parameter backup file from current device parameters
 Restore device from a parameter backup file
 Restore device to factory default parameters

Figure 16. Parameter tools view.

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9.1 View, edit or compare file

Select and edit parameters set for left or right side or compare parameters at each side.

 “Edit left” button is enabled when parameter set is selected left.

 “Edit right” button is enabled when parameter set is selected right.
 “Compare” button is enabled when left and right sets are selected.
 “Back” button to go back to Parameter tools view

Figure 17. Parameter edit or compare selections.

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9.1.1 Edit left or right set of parameters

Edit parameters view shows parameter backup set parameters and their values. At top of parameter list is
the name of the parameter set and firmware version of the device. View has following actions:

 Edit parameter values

 Filter parameters by all, edited or nondefault values.
 “Done” button to proceed to view edit changes.
 “Back” button to return to parameter set selection view (in Figure 17)

Figure 18. Editing parameters.

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9.1.2 Parameter values write dialog

Parameter values write dialog shows edited parameters and has actions:

 “Back” button to return to editing parameters.

 “Return to menu” button to return to edit menu (In Figure 17)
 “Write to file” button to write parameter values to file
 “Write to device” button to write parameter values to device
□ Status shows parameter write success statuses
 Successful writes are green
 Unsuccessful writes are red

Note: unsuccessful parameter writes are usually caused by one of the

following: changes between firmware versions, disabled/enabled
CODESYS application, or the parameters are locked due to inverter in
running state.

Figure 19. Parameter set write dialog

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9.1.3 Parameter compare

Parameter compare shows differences between two selected parameter sets. Groups and parameters
with conflicting values are shown in red. Resolved groups and parameters are shown in green. View
actions:

 Single parameter conflicts can be resolved by clicking left- or right-side parameter value, or by
inputting a value directly into the field
 Conflicts can also be resolved automatically by using “Resolve” button to select either right side or
left side values in conflict cases.
 “Write partial” button to proceed to “Parameter values write” dialog (in Figure 19). It will write
resolved parameters to file or device.

Figure 20. Compare with unresolved conflicts

Figure 21. Compare after resolve by left parameter set. Parameters that are still unresolved and shown in red.

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10 Scope view
Scope view can be used for logging and viewing the values of selected signals. The view has two loggers,
signal and diagnostic, in their own tabs. Signal logger polls values of selected signals for a real-time live
view. Diagnostic logger logs signals at faster timescale internally inside the connected device and must
be triggered separately. Diagnostic logging data can be loaded to logger when logging is done. Both
loggers can be used simultaneously.

10.1 Scope view and available functions

The signal scope and diagnostic scope views provide similar functions, as shown in Figure 22:

 Series: At the bottom of scope view is the series section. Each signal has information box with
show / hide selection button, signal name and value of the signal at selected pointer-line
position.
□ Resize series section area by dragging the top border of series section area.
□ Open series action menu with right click.
□ Set signal value by double-clicking signal name. (available in signal scope)
□ Show/hide series by clicking the round button at left of the series box.
□ Change series order with mouse middle button drag-and-drop.
 Pointer-line: Pointer-line follows mouse cursor and shows the position of series. At top of line is
box with number of measurement point. At bottom of line is box with measurement time (unit is
milliseconds) of selected measurement point. 1st measurement has time 0.
□ Pointer line is held at position when shift button is pressed.
 Information box: Information box is at top right pane. Box has general information about the
logged data, such as number of logged series and latest measured logging interval.

Figure 22. Scope view signal logger.

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10.2 Viewing controls section

Viewing controls group in Figure 23:

 Cursor holds the pointer-line at latest measured value. It is commonly used when logger is
running, to view latest measured values. Cursor can also be set and released with left mouse
button double click on scope area.
 Auto x-axis fits all data to view at this axis. If auto is not selected and latest measurement is in
view, the axis length is kept, but view is panned to keep the new measurements in view.
 Auto y-axis fits all data to view at this axis. If auto is not selected, set position is kept regardless of
data.
 Zoom button lets user to zoom to selected area. You can also zoom to mouse cursor position
with mouse wheel.
 Reset zoom resets zoom to default.
 Axis button can be used to open axis configuration window (explained in detail at 10.1.1).

Figure 23. Scope viewing controls group at middle right.

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10.3 Scope axis configuration

Scope axis configuration shows the configuration of axis, signals and data ranges currently in logger.
Items at view:
 Main X-axis range.
 Main X-axis type: Time or selected series for x-y plotting.
 Main Y-axis range.
 Auto Y-axis range button.
 “Add Y-axis” button to add secondary Y-axis.
 “Reset” button to reset Y-axis to fit all data.

Figure 24. Scope axis configuration window.

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Figure 25. Secondary Y-axis configuration.

Items at view:
 Secondary axes can be configured separately.
 Offset is the y position relative to main axis. Adding offset helps to separate signals at same
range.
 Series can be set to any of the Y-axes. At least one series must remain at main axis.

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10.4 Operating controls section

Figure 26. Scope operating controls group at bottom right.

Operating controls group:

 “Configure” button opens signal selection and configuration dialogs explained at 10.5.
 “Load data” button opens file selection dialog to load previously saved data to logger.
 “Save data” button opens file selection dialog to save logged data. Save button is activated when
logger has data.
 “Clear data” button removes current data from logger. View configuration is not changed.
 “Run / Stop” button starts or stops logging with selected scope

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10.5 Scope signal selection

Logged signals are selected from signals view by clicking the log button at beginning of the row or by
selecting it for logging from the action menu. Action menu can be opened by mouse right click at the
item. You can add/select signals for logging at any time, also while the logging is running.

Figure 27. Scope signal selection from Signals view.

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10.6 Signal scope logging configuration

At signal logger configuration view, you can view the signals selected for logging. Signals can be
removed from logging or temporarily disabled by clicking the enable/disable button.

You can also add predefined logging signal templates from the menu panel at right. These templates
include all most commonly needed and relevant signals for each inverter application type.

Figure 28. Scope signal selection dialog.

Signal selection dialog controls:

 Back: Close signal selection dialog and go back to scope view.

 Load config: Load previously saved configuration from file.
 Clear: Clears selected signals.
 Next: Moves to signal logging configuration dialog explained at 10.5.

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10.6.1 Logging settings configuration

At signal logging settings dialog it is possible to limit the length of data captured and to set the sampling
rate to desired value.

Limiting the buffer size: the amount of data recorded in the logger can be limited to a preset time when
logging longer periods of time and only the latest changes are of interest.

Figure 29. Signal configuration: limiting length of logged data.

By selecting “Limit buffer” options pane opens. You can set the desired value and unit and older data
than set time is removed from scope. If “Stop when captured” selection is activated, signal logging
automatically stops when logger has the set amount of data.

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Limiting the sampling rate: Sampling rate can be reduced to limit the amount of data captured
when logging slow changing signals for a long period of time

Figure 30. Signal configuration: limiting rate of logged data.

By selecting “Limited sampling” sampling rate options pane opens. You can set the desired value
and unit and samples are measured at set intervals. Even when sampling rate is set to 0, the rate
is limited by connection type (can / serial), number of logged signals and available resources at
logging computer.

Signal configuration view control buttons:

 Back: Go back to signal selection dialog.
 Save config: Saves the selected configuration to file. Configuration includes selected
signals, data and sampling rate.
 Ok: Logger configuration is complete, dialog is closed.

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10.7 Diagnostic scope logging configuration

With the diagnostic logger configuration view you can view the signals selected for logging. Signals can
be temporarily removed from logging by clicking the enable/disable button.

Figure 31. Scope diagnostic logging signal selection dialog.

Selection dialog controls:

 Back: Close signal selection dialog and go back to scope view.
 Load config: Load previously saved configuration from file.
 Clear: Clears selected signals.
 Next: Moves to diagnostic logging configuration dialog explained at 10.6.1.

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10.7.1 Diagnostic logger configuration options

Figure 32. Diagnostic logger configuration options.

Items at view:
 Timelevel: Selection from fastest to the slowest logging interval.
 Operation: none, step or trigger
□ None: no operation, logging starts when run is pressed at logger.
□ Step: Selected step operation explained in 10.7.2
□ Trigger: Selected trigger operation explained in 10.7.3
 Duration: Maximum length of the log.

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10.7.2 Diagnostic logger step configuration

Figure 33. Diagnostic logger step configuration

Step configuration options:

 Step can be assignment or add to value at selected time.
 Step is done to single selected signal. Only signals selected for diagnostic logging can be
selected.
 Value: value added or assigned to selected signal.
 Start and end times of assignment/add operation.

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10.7.3 Diagnostic logger trigger configuration

Diagnostic logger can be set to trigger logging start on event at set signal.

Figure 34. Diagnostic logger trigger configuration.

Trigger configuration options:

 Selected signal may trigger on value level or difference (difference to value at logging start).
 Value of level or difference.
 Triggering direction may be set to increase, decrease or both.
 Prebuffer percentage: Select the event position in the recorded log, e.g. setting the prebuffer to
50 means that 50 % of the log will be recorded before the trigger event occurred.

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10.7.4 Diagnostic logger configuration summary

Figure 35. Diagnostic logging configuration summary.

Actions at configuration summary page:

 Save data automatically to file: Saves data to set file when logging is done.
 Read data automatically to scope: Read data to logger when logging is done, this clears the
previous data visible at diagnostic logger.
 Cancel: return to Diagnostic logger configuration (10.7.1)
 Save config: Saves the logger configuration to file.
 Ok: Configuration is done, returns to diagnostic logger.

Danfoss can accept no responsibility for possible errors in catalogues, brochures and other printed material. Danfoss reserves the right to alter its products without
notice. This also applies to products already on order provided that such alterations can be made without changes being necessary in specifications already agreed.
All trademarks in this material are property of the respective companies. Danfoss and the Danfoss logotype are trademarks of Danfoss A/S. All rights reserved.

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