[RE-wrenches] Arc fault questions.

[R Ray Walters]

We've had no problems with Outback inverters and AFCI breakers, other than the inverter can't actually generate the 70 amps necessary to make an AFCI trip. (an inspector's AFCI tester didn't trip when expected) I think there should be an exception to the AFCI requirement, when the power supply max surge is less than 70 amps.
As soon as I know its new construction requiring AFCIs, I spec a sine wave inverter. 
I still like the old mod sine inverters (cheap, reliable, great surge, more efficient than sine) but they're probably only appropriate for old construction, small (uninspected) cabins, portable applications, and the third world at this point.
Especially now that Xantrex's TR series doesn't appear to be as reliable as the old DRs, we're not specing Mod sines much these days.

R. Walters
ray at solarray.com
Solar Engineer




On Jun 1, 2010, at 11:51 AM, Kent Osterberg wrote:

> I recently talked to the tech support folks at Magnum about AFCI breakers and they didn't know of a single one that would work with modified square wave inverters.  The AFCI requirement for all new residential construction may finally be the death of modified square wave inverters.  
> 
> Kent Osterberg
> Blue Mountain Solar
> 
> 
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: tump at hughes.net
>> To: RE-wrenches
>> Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 6:32 AM
>> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Arc fault questions.
>> 
>> Can & will someone explain, why off grid inverters will cause nuisance tripping of the AF receptacle. 
>> Does anyone have "real" field information as to how this might be reduced or eliminated? How about  which AF receptacles are less likely to trip? 
>> TIA tump
>> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>> _______________________________________________
>> 
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