Configuring a GSM network connection

Goal

• Connect your Charge Controller to the Internet, your Backend or local network through GSM

Does my Controller support this?

Check the capabilities table to find out if your Controller variant provides this feature:

Capabilities table

CC

CC613

Model	Art. No.	USB Host	Ethernet	Internal Modbus	External Modbus	Cellular Modem	WLAN
CC613-ELM4PR-M	B94060020	2x				4G
CC613-ELPR-M	B94060021	2x
CC613-ELM4PR	B94060026	2x				4G
CC613-ELPR	B94060027	2x
CC613-HEM-X2	B94060028	2x

CC612

Model	Art. No.	USB Host	Ethernet	Internal Modbus	External Modbus	Cellular Modem	WLAN
CC612-1M4PR	B94060011	1x		EHZ only		4G
CC612-2M4PR	B94060013	1x				4G
CC612-2M46	B94060015	1x
CC612-1SOPR	B94060005	1x		EHZ only
CC612-2SOPR	B94060007	1x				4G
CC612-2SOR	B94060028	1x
CC612-1M3PR	B94070001	1x		EHZ only

ICC

ICC1324

Model	Art. No.	USB Host	Ethernet	Internal Modbus	External Modbus	Cellular Modem	WLAN
ICC1324-Connect Plus	B94060080		2x			Cat 1
ICC1324-Connect	B94060079		2x			Cat M1/NB1
ICC1324-Connect SP	B94060074		2x
ICC1324-Home Plus	B94060078		1x
ICC1324-Home	B94060077

info

If you can't see configuration options in the Dashboard mentioned here, the guide doesn't apply to your Charge Controller. Use the table above for reference.

Before you begin

Make sure that

• The Charge Controller of your Charge Controller has a GSM module and a corresponding antenna (TODO: Links zu Bender Produkten?)
• A SIM card from the Backend vendor or GSM vendor is present and activated
• A SIM card is inserted in the SIM card slot of your Charge Controller

info

• Only IoT SIM cards are supported.

Steps

1. Apply the following configuration:

Location in Dashboard	Parameter	Value	Info
NETWORK > LAN	Connection type	GSM
NETWORK > GSM	Access Point Name (APN)	Refer to your Mobile Network Provider
NETWORK > GSM	SIM Card PIN Number	Refer to your Mobile Network Provider	To unlock your SIM card, you must enter the corresponding PIN here. Your provider will also provide you with the PIN together with the SIM card. If this isn't the case, you should contact him. Often the PIN 0000 is used.
NETWORK > GSM	Network selection mode	Auto (recommended in most cases)	Here you can select whether the GSM modem should automatically (Auto) search for Mobile Network Operators (Network operators) or connect automatically or manually. In most cases there are no roaming charges (except at national borders or EU external borders). Consequently, you can generally set the mode to Auto. However, in regions with low network coverage, the GSM module may often jump between networks in Auto mode. In this case, the Manual/Auto setting is more recommended.
NETWORK > GSM	Modem Access Technology	Auto (recommended in most cases)	In this field you can choose the cellular standard for communication between the Charge Controller and the backend. In Auto mode the modem automatically selects the best available standard. We generally recommend this auto mode. This usually ensures a stable connection. However, in locations with a very weak network, such as remote regions or underground garages, it makes sense to specify 2G. This makes the connection very slow, but more stable. Configuring to 4G should only be done if the controller has a 4G module and a corresponding antenna. It should also be ensured that the LTE network is continuously available at the site.

3. At the bottom of the window, click , then click to apply the changes

Checking the internet connection

In the Legacy Dashboard, under State > Mobile Network Operator, you can see if the Charge Controller is connected to the Internet.

Set the Network Operator manually

1. In the Dashboard under Network > GSM, set Network selection mode to Manual. This causes the GSM modem to attempt to connect only to the network of the provider defined in the Requested Network operator field.
2. Enter the name of the desired provider there.

name formats

You must observe the correct format when entering the name. You can also configure this in the Network operator name format field. Alphanumeric short, for example, corresponds to a name with up to 8 characters.

Scanning for networks

If you don't know the correct name with the corresponding format,

1. Scan for available networks by enabling Scan network operators at boot
2. At the bottom of the window, click , then click to apply the changes

info

After each restart, the Scan network operators at boot parameter is automatically set to Off.

3. Wait around 1-2 minutes while the Charge Controller scans for networks in the background
4. After waiting, refresh the Legacy Dashboard (like you would any other website)
5. In the Legacy Dashboard, under State, all available Mobile Network Operators are displayed under Available networks.

All available Mobile Network Operators are displayed in the three different input formats (see figure).

Format	Example
Alphanumeric long	Telekom.de
Alphanumeric short	TDG
Numeric	26201

6. Transfer the name of the desired provider into the Requested Network operator field, respecting the required format.

Your network isn't listed?

Get in touch with your Mobile Network Operator if the network isn't showing up even after the recommened waiting period.

With the selection Manual/Auto the Charge Controller first tries to connect manually to the specified network operator. If this fails, the Charge Controller switches to Auto mode.

7. At the bottom of the window, click , then click to apply the changes

Avoid roaming charges

To avoid possible roaming charges, for example at national borders, or in case of unstable network connections, under Network > GSM, set the Mobile Network Operator manually.