[RE-wrenches] Solaredge inverters w/ backup generator

[Exeltech]

Chris,

Even if a manufacturer agrees with you on incorporating an external shutdown option, don't expect near-term action, especially on existing models.  A modification of this nature obviously affects the hardware aspects of an inverter.  This alone mandates retesting of at least that aspect of the inverter by the NRTL that issued the original UL1741 certification.  If the change also involves software, retesting could be even more extensive.  Every model incorporating this feature would be affected.  It can take months of waiting in line before equipment can be submitted to a NRTL (depending on the backlog at the lab); and even more months after that for the lab to complete their product review and re-test.  If anything fails during the review/re-test process, the clock winds backwards - sometimes to the beginning (depending on the steps required to correct the flaw).

While an external "inverter disable" function may appear to be a very basic and straightforward addition, it's not.  In most cases, your request will be more easily incorporated into new designs that haven't yet been certified, than get it added to present production.

Personally, I think an "interlock" on a string system is a reasonable request, and likely to appear in future models from different manufacturers.  It's just going to take time.


Dan

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On Fri, 2/14/14, Chris Mason <cometenergysystems at gmail.com> wrote:
 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solaredge inverters w/ backup generator
To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Date: Friday, February 14, 2014, 4:59 AM
  
The "Door Open" switch is a very useful feature. I am trying to get Fronius to put a digital shutdown terminal on its CL line of inverters, or all inverters preferably. We need to pressure all the inverter manufacturers to provide a logic in or dry contact method of shutdown.
Most ATS will provide a N/O dry to indicate position. 
 
 
On Thu, Feb 13, 2014 at 10:21 PM, Jerry Shafer <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com> wrote:
 
    I have done systems in Hawaii, here is one with a 30 k PV system and with a 250k Cummins back up genny. We have a contactor in the ATS that will open if the genny is operating, this in turn sends a door open signal to the Satcon shutting it down I don't want anything effecting the genset operation so with the open created in the ATS it tricks the inverter to shut off safely. We as a policy will not run a genset and PV unless as a AC coupling system and you have some active over voltage like freq and voltage triggers.
 
    Jerry