Xantrex XW [RE-wrenches]

Tue Nov 6 07:16:10 PST 2007

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We had just this problem with GFP in an old system. There was a  
ground fault in the 12 v DC lighting in the house that caused the PV  
array GFP to trip. They do indeed see the entire system, which is  
annoying sometimes.

Ray

Solarray.com
On Nov 6, 2007, at 7:43 AM, John Raynes wrote:

>
> What would happen in a system with more than one XW charge  
> controller tied into the same DC bus?  Wouldn't each controller see  
> the other's GFP as an external ground fault?  I would hope that  
> there would be some way of disabling the internal GFP in lieu of a  
> single system GFP breaker, external to the CCs.
>
> John Raynes
> RE Solar
> Torrey, UT
>
>
> At 07:36 PM 11/5/2007 -0700, you wrote:
>
>> Ken,
>>
>> From what I've seen, the XW charge controller has GFP built in to  
>> it, so if
>> you're using that controller, negative and ground must be kept  
>> isolated so
>> the GFP will work correctly, and probably for the controller to  
>> work at all.
>> If you're using a different charge controller, you'll be OK unless  
>> you want
>> GFP, in which case you may need to install a Midnite baby box and  
>> Midnite
>> GFP(s) and separate negative from ground, or some other kluge (and  
>> I mean
>> that in a GOOD way). As far as I can tell, a solid neutral-ground  
>> bond does
>> not adversely affect the inverter in any way.
>>
>> The fact that Xantrex chose to use a GFP fuse inside the  
>> controller (and an
>> expensive 600 VDC KLKD fuse at that) instead of a separate breaker  
>> is a poor
>> call IMO. A ground fault anywhere in the system, not just in the  
>> array
>> wiring, will cost you the price of that fuse. Not sure what  
>> Xantrex has
>> planned for GFP in the new distribution panel when using somebody  
>> else's
>> charge controller either. Maybe ye olde Trace PVGFP from years  
>> back will
>> mount up to the DC breaker panel in the new enclosure, since it  
>> uses the
>> correct size breakers. It appears to still be available (that is,  
>> the manual
>> is not in the "discontinued products documents" list).
>>
>> Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the inverter.
>>
>> Dan Rice
>> Abundant Sun, LLC.
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Ken Schaal" <ken at commonwealthsolar.com>
>> To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
>> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 4:56 AM
>> Subject: Re: Xantrex XW [RE-wrenches]
>>
>>
>> |
>> | As I mentioned in my last post, we are doing a Y2K system  
>> upgrade so we
>> can
>> | net meter and have gen backup, at affordable prices.
>> | The 6048 XW is now on the wall and wired into the existing Trace DC
>> | disconnect and transfer switches. After wrestling the old Power  
>> Panel down
>> | off the wall---I use two 'farm jacks' for that joyful task---,  
>> it was a
>> | pleasure to bolt a bracket to the wall and lift the 125# XW into  
>> a slot on
>> | the bracket that carries the weight and then secure in the vertical
>> position
>> | with two screws at the top.
>> | Sweet!
>> | We will be finishing the install today I trust and start to play  
>> with it,
>> | although the net meter inspection and appropriate meter install  
>> is still
>> in
>> | progress.
>> | Our only hassle so far is due to our use of the existing DC  
>> disconnect,
>> and
>> | the fact that we will be adding an additional array,  
>> necessitating a
>> second
>> | charge control, both mounted above the Trace disconnect where  
>> the original
>> | C40's were mounted. The knockouts don't quite align, so we had  
>> to do a
>> | little grinding, about 3/8 ".
>> | The other thing we noticed is that the old Trace disconnect has  
>> common
>> | battery neg and equipment ground, where the new XW disconnect uses
>> seperate
>> | buses, with the battery neg isolated. Any thoughts on how big an  
>> issue
>> this
>> | is?
>> | The new XW distribution panel is quite complete with transfer  
>> breakers,
>> nice
>> | flex wire, etc but does cost $1K, so the temptation for many  
>> will be to
>> use
>> | the existing Trace.
>> |
>> | More thoughts to follow after we try it out with the existing  
>> array.
>> |
>> | Ken Schaal
>> | CommonWealth Solar
>> |
>> | ----- Original Message -----
>> | From: <i2p at aol.com>
>> | To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
>> | Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 3:15 PM
>> | Subject: Re: Xantrex XW [RE-wrenches]
>> |
>> |
>> | >
>> | >
>> | >
>> | > In a message dated 11/3/2007 6:34:33 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
>> | > jay at asis.com writes:
>> | >
>> | > What are  the comments about the new XW equipment.
>> | >
>> | >
>> | >
>> | > Me too, waiting.
>> | >
>> | > Don L
>> | >
>> | >
>>
>>
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>
>
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> wrenches/read
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>

R. Walters
Solarray.com
NABCEP # 04170442	

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