1. Introduction. 

1. Purpose of this manual
   

The purpose of this manual is to provide clear, step-by-step instructions for the safe and efficient installation, configuration, and maintenance of your Hub:one. This guide is designed to help users understand the components of the system, the necessary tools and materials for installation, and the procedures to follow for a successful setup. Additionally, this manual aims to ensure that users can troubleshoot common issues, perform routine maintenance, and access technical support when needed. By following this manual, users will be able to optimise their energy usage, enhance the performance of their home energy systems, and contribute to a more sustainable and cost-effective household energy management.

Should you have any questions throughout this process, please see contact details at the end of this guide. 

1. In the box:
   

1. 1 x Hub:one Device 
   
2. 1 x UK/Euro Power adaptor
   
3. 1 x Ethernet Cable
4. 1 x Modbus cable (Inverter dependant - separate packaging) 
5. 1 x Mounting Bracket (optional extra)

2. Safety Information.

1. Specific Warnings

Electrical Safety Power Off: Always disconnect the power supply before beginning installation or maintenance work to prevent electrical shock or injury.

Proper Tools: Use insulated tools when working with electrical components to reduce the risk of electric shock.

Qualified Personnel: If you are not confident in your ability to safely handle electrical installations, consult a qualified solar installer.

Ensuring your safety and the safety of others during the installation and operation of your Home Energy Management System (HEMS) is of utmost importance. Please read and follow these general safety precautions carefully:

1. Handling Components

1. Avoid Water: Do not expose electrical components to water or moisture. Install the system in a dry, protected area
2. Handle with Care: Handle all components with care to avoid damage. Avoid dropping or applying excessive force to any part of the system
   
3. Do not expose this product to heat from any source; it is designed for reliable operation at normal room temperature
   
4. Any external power supply used with the Hub:One shall comply with relevant regulations and standards applicable in the country of intended use. The power supply should provide 5V DC and a minimum rated current of 3A 
   

2. Installation Safety

1. Stable Ladder Usage: When using ladders or step stools, ensure they are stable and placed on a level surface.
   
2. Secure Mounting: Ensure all components are securely mounted and fastened to prevent them from falling or becoming dislodged.
   
3. Ventilation: Install components in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating.
   

3. Tool Safety

1. Appropriate Tools: Use the correct tools for each task to prevent injury and avoid damaging components.
   
2. Inspect Tools: Regularly inspect tools for damage and ensure they are in good working condition before use.
   

By adhering to these general safety precautions, you can help ensure a safe and successful installation and operation of your Home Energy Management System. Always prioritizse safety and, when in doubt, seek professional assistance.

3. Steps to Power Down Inverter

Before beginning the installation, it’s important to safely power down the system to avoid electrical hazards and ensure a smooth installation process.

Step 1: Turn off solar input on the inverter

1. Use the dedicated switch located on the bottom left of the inverter to turn off the solar input. This ensures no solar power flows into the system during the installation.

Step 2: Turn off the switch for solar panels (optional)

1. If your system has an additional switch on the solar panel cables, turn it off as well. This is only required if such a switch was installed.

Step 3: Turn off the battery system (optional)

1. If your system has batteries, press the BMS (Battery Management System) power button, then flip the battery circuit breakers off.
   
2. This step ensures the batteries are completely isolated, preventing them from supplying or receiving power during installation

Step 4: Disconnect the inverter from the grid

1. Turn off the AC/grid isolator. This is usually located between the inverter and the main consumer board (circuit breaker panel).
   
2. This step ensures the inverter is completely disconnected from the grid.

Step 5: Wait 10 Seconds

1. Wait 10 seconds to ensure the inverter powers down completely.
   
2.  Check that the display screen is off before proceeding.
   

4. Pre-Installation Requirements

1. Prerequisites

WiFi Connection: at point of install Ensure there is a reliable wifi internet access as this is crucial for the functionality of your Hub:One.  If WiFi connection is weak at point of install or non-existent then an alternative connection needs to be arranged  such as an ethernet connection (recommended), powerline adaptors.

Power outlet: Please ensure there is a 3-pin outlet (230V, UK) or a 2-pin power outlet (230V, EU) near your inverter for a convenient setup. It is recommended that the plug is within 4 meters of your inverter. 

1. Compatibility Check 
   

Before installation please check compatibility with your inverter against our compatibility list. The list can be found here. 

1. Tools required
   

The Hub:one installation does not require any specific tools. However, you may need access to the Modbus port of a specific inverter. In this case, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions for that particular inverter.

You may also choose to wall mount the unit using the optional wall mount. If so, you will need the following tools:

• Drill

• 6mm masonry drill bit

• Hammer

• Pozi #2 screwdriver

5. Pre- Installation Configuration and Setup (connecting your WIFI)

Step 1: Connect the Hub:one to your router and power source using the ethernet cable and power supply provided and connect your phone or laptop to the wifi network from the router that it is connected to.

. 

Step 2: Download the "Swarm Installer" app from either Google Play or Apple App store to your smartphone.

.       

Step 3: Open up the "Swarm Installer" application once installed on your smartphone.   

Step 4: Once open the application will scan for Hub:One devices on your network. Once detected select your Hub:One device

Note: The application may pick up other devices on your network please just ignore these. 

Step 5: Once connected to the device the device will prompt you for a username and password: 

The details will be:

Username: admin 

Password:

Printed on a label underneath your Hub:One

Step 6 : Once in the config portal (as below) select your wifi network and enter your password. You will be greeted with a success message then you will be connected via wifi. 

Step 7: Select the inverter tab in the menu and select the manufacturer, model and capacity of your installed inverter. The others will be set by default.

If you have altered the baud rate on the inverter this will need to match the default value. Swarm advises on changing the inverter setting back to the default value.

 

Step 8: In the menu select connect to Solar and Battery. Once in this section please populate the information to the best of your knowledge. This is to allow the automated energy manager to work as efficiently as possible. 

Tip: For retrofit installs please refer to the original MCS certification for Solar panel details. 

 

Step 9: Configuration is now complete.  You can now disconnect from the router and place the device back at the inverter or permanent location and move onto section 5 for details on connecting to inverter. 

6. Inverter Connection Steps

Once the system is safely powered down, you can begin connecting the Modbus and CT clamp cables.

Step 1: Disconnect RS485 connector from the inverter

1. Gently push in the clips on each side off the Meter/CT/RS485 connector and pop it off. Be careful not to pull the existing Meter/CT cables as this could damage the wiring.
   

Step 2: Disassemble the RS485 connector 

1. Use the provided H-shaped tool to insert two arms into the slots on the connector and push down on the clips to open it.      If the tool is unavailable, flathead screwdrivers or a 3D-printed H-shaped tool can be used instead. 

Step 3: Connect CT clamp wires into RS485 connector 

1. Connect the CT clamp (power meter) wires into pin 7 (CT1-) and pin 8 (CT1+) on the RS485 connector.                                  These connections allow the system to measure grid power. 

Step 4: Connect Modbus cable to RS485 connector 

• Take your RJ11 to RJ45 cable from the Hub:One packaging.  
  

• Cut off the RJ45 connector (larger end) and strip back the cable to reveal the cores that will consist of Black, yellow, Green and Red. 

• Black and yellow are not required. Some small 0.25mm bootlace ferrules would be advised.  

• Red is your RS485A connection. Connect them that to terminal 4 

• Green is your RS485B connection. Connect that to terminal 3 

• Ensure to label or note which wire connects to each pin, as incorrect wiring will prevent the inverter from functioning.           

   

Step 5: Reassemble the RS485 connector 

1. After making the necessary connections, reassemble the RS485 connector by pressing the clips back into place. 
   

Step 6: Insert reassembled RS485 connector into the inverter 

1. Reinsert the reassembled RS485 connector back into the Fox inverter. 
   

Step 7: Power On the Fox Inverter 

1. After completing these steps, turn the system back on: 
   
1. Turn the AC/grid isolator back on. 
   
2. Flip the DC breaker on the BMS to the right and press the BMS power button (if applicable). 
   
3. Turn on the DC side of the inverter. 
   

 

1. Proceed to Panel Settings Configuration. 
   
1. Now that the inverter is connected and powered on, proceed to the Panel Settings Configuration steps below. 
   

 

PANEL SETTINGS CONFIGURATION STEPS 

These steps configure the panel on the Fox inverter to work with the Hub:One. 

Step 1: Access the main menu on the inverter 

1. Press "Return" on the front panel of the inverter to access the main menu. 

Step 2: Start the inverter 

• Navigate to: Menu > Settings > Start/Stop > Start > Yes 
  

• Password: 0-0-0-0 (required). The password will only need to be entered once if all steps are completed within 5 minutes. Otherwise, re-entry will be required. The password can be changed if necessary. 

Step 3: Enable remote control 

• Navigate to: Menu > Settings > Feature > Remote Control > Enable > Yes 

• This step is required to work with the Hub:One. 

• Enables read/write access. Without it, control is limited to inverter panel only.  

Step 4: Disable idle state 

• Navigate to: Menu > Settings > Feature > Idle State > Disable > Yes 

• Disabling the idle state isn’t required for the Hub:One to work, but we still recommend doing this. 

Step 5: Set RS485 communication speed 

• Navigate to: Menu > Settings > Feature > Uart1BpsSet > 9600 > Set/Yes 

• This step is required to work with the Hub:One. 

• Ensure the communication speed is set to 9600. 

• The communication speed must match the value set in the configuration portal (referred to as “Modbus Baud Rate”). 

Step 6: Verify panel client ID 

• Navigate to: Menu > Settings > Communication > RS485 > Device ID > 247 > Set/Yes 

• This step is required to work with the Hub:One. 

• Ensure the device ID is set to 247. 

• The device ID must match the value set in the configuration portal (referred to as “Client ID”). 

 

 
Proceed to Portal Configuration. 

• After completing the panel settings configuration steps, proceed to the Portal Configuration steps. 

 

PORTAL CONFIGURATION STEPS 

These steps configure the Hub:One through the portal interface. 

Step 1: Connect the Hub:one to your router and power source using the ethernet cable and power supply provided and connect your phone or laptop to the wifi network from the router that it is connected to.

     

     

Step 2: Download the "Swarm Installer" app from either Google Play or Apple App store to your smartphone.

     .       

Step 3: Open up the "Swarm Installer" application once installed on your smartphone.

      

Step 4: Once open the application will scan for Hub:One devices on your network. Once detected select your Hub:One device

• 
  
  

  Note: The application may pick up other devices on your network please just ignore these.   

  
  
  
  
• 
• 
  
• Step 5: Once connected to the device the device will prompt you for a username and password: 
  
• 
  
• 
• 
  
• The details will be:
  
  Username: admin 
  
  Password:

  

  Printed on a label underneath your Hub:One
• 
  
• Step 6 : Once in the config portal (as below) select your wifi network and enter your password. You will be greeted with a success message then you will be connected via wifi. 
  
  
  
   
  

Step 7: Complete inverter details 

1. Select the manufacturer, model and capacity of the installed inverter. 
   
2. The other settings will be pre-configured. 
   
3. Ensure the Modbus Baud Rate is set to 9600. 
   
4. Ensure the Client ID is set to 247. 
   

      

Step 8: In the menu select connect to Solar and Battery. Once in this section please populate the information to the best of your knowledge. This is to allow the automated energy manager to work as efficiently as possible. 

Tip: For retrofit installs please refer to the original MCS certification for Solar panel details. 

     

Step 9: Configuration is now complete.  You can now disconnect from the router and place the device back at the inverter or permanent location and move onto section 5 for details on connecting to inverter. 

     

 

 

Complete the last Inverter Connection Steps 

Now, complete the last two steps to connect the Fox inverter with the Hub:One. 

Step 8: Connect the Modbus cable to the Hub:One

 

• Insert the RJ11 end of the Modbus cable into Port 2 of the Hub:One device. 

Hub:One Port 2: RJ11 port 

Step 9: Connect the Hub:One to the power source 

1. Insert the power adapter into Port 1 of the Hub:One. 
   
2. Insert the adapter into a wall socket. 
   
3. ​Turn on the power at the wall socket. 
   

• 
  

Hub:One Port 1: USB-C power port

HUB:ONE Key:

1.USB-C Power Port

2. Modbus RJ11 Port

3. USB Port (not in use)

4. Ethernet port for optional internet hardwire.