[RE-wrenches] TL Inverters & Rapid Shutdown

Gregory Seelhorst gseelhorst at gmail.com
Fri Jan 16 09:31:49 PST 2015


Wrenches -

I wanted to bring up the topic of SMA TL inverters, SPS outlets, and Rapid
Shutdown function.   In light of some AHJs where the 2014 NEC is already in
effect, I would appreciate how anyone has insight on how to address the
topics below:

*Re: SPS integrated outlet* - Citing 2014 NEC 690.61 and 690.10(B), is
there any resistance to SMA's Technical paper on the topic (attached) and
what is being done to appease them or make corrections any notices.

Also would appreciate if you have suggestions on warning placards (to the
effect of ‘this outlet only works when the switch is in the ‘ON’ position,
inverter will not backfeed in the ‘OFF’ position), please contact me
off-line if you like.

*Re: Rapid Shutdown function* – It has come to my attention that there is
(or soon to be) a Rapid Shutdown capability function which will comply with
690.12.  The question being, *can or must this be used in conjunction with
the SPS?*  Just wanted clarification of this functionality.

My understanding is that if other Rapid Shutdown devices (DC contactors,
Midnite Solar relays, etc.) are used, the SPS function can not be used.  My
question is that *if the Rapid Shutdown function is optional or a
requirement when deploying the SPS function.*

Regards,
Greg Seelhorst


On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 11:41 AM, Randy <randy at positiveenergysolar.com>
wrote:

> Hi Wrenches,
>
> We are being forced to adopt 690.12 Rapid Shutdown requirement based on
> several explanations given to our industry:
>
> 1.       otherwise we would be ignoring the life safety and put our fire
> fighters lives in peril
>
> 2.     This product can be constructed from readily available,
> over-the-counter code compliant components.  This (is) to be the intent
> of CMP4 when compiling the NFPA 70.
>
>
>
> We do not want to act like an industry that appears to be fighting against
> safety. And we know there are a few products that are code compliant,
> micro-inverters (don’t comply with 705.12 (D) (6) because there are no
> products), Solaredge, and Tigo (is it approved?) yet this is not how we
> choose products.
>
>
>
> And the SMA SPS inverter is not going to work in a 690.12 environment
> without complications as far as I can see.
>
>
>
> Appreciate comments that might support the right decision.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Randy
>
>
>
> Randy Sadewic
>
> Cell:    505 570-0137
>
> Randy at PositiveEnergySolar.com
>
>
>
> [image:
> http://positiveenergysolar.com/admin/content/uploads/PES-logo-3.jpg]
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Steve Jefferson
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 07, 2014 8:33 AM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] TL Inverters
>
>
>
> The first gen of TL’s did have a somewhat tight window for the DC window.
>
>
>
> However, the new SBxxxxTL-US-22 (3kW – 7700kW, with secure power supply)
> Start Voltage is 125, MPPT is 175-480 (max of 600Vdc)
>
>
>
> Also, for larger needs, the STP (12kW – 24kW)  start voltage is 150, MPPT
> is 300-800V (max of 1000Vdc).
>
>
>
> SMA America, LLC
>
> Steve Jefferson
>
> Service Line Supervisor
>
> 3925 Atherton Ave
>
> Rocklin, CA 95765 - 3714
>
> U.S.A.
>
> Tel:  +1 916 625 3185 (direct)
>
> Fax: +1 916 625 0871
>
> Mobile: +1 916 622 4253
>
> Email: Steve.jefferson at SMA-America.com
>
> www.SMA-America.com <http://www.sma-america.com/>
>
>
>
> [image: cid:image001.png at 01CF1CFA.FE18BEB0]
> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQWzPuyqhzo&feature=youtu.be>
>
>
>
> This email and any attachments thereto may contain SMA America, LLC
> confidential, privileged and private material for the sole use of the
> intended recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this email (or
> any attachments thereto) by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not
> the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and
> permanently delete the original and any copies of this email and any
> attachments thereto. Thank you.
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>] *On Behalf Of *Mark Byington
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 07, 2014 6:59 AM
> *To:* RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] TL Inverters
>
>
>
>
>
> Just a word of caution to those not having experience with SMA TL
> inverters - the larger units (7-11 kW) have an extremely narrow input DC
> voltage window.  Depending on your module voltage and string design, all
> you need is a module or two to be shaded to fall out of the MPPT input
> voltage range.  The smaller units (3-5 kW) with the Secure Power Supply
> don't have this problem.  We no longer use these larger SMA TL inverters
> unless we can do maximum string length (e.g. strings of 8 for SunPower
> 96-cell) and there is zero shade at the site.
>
>
>
> I believe SMA is in the process of adding larger units to the line that
> has the Secure Power Supply.  They added the 6 kW unit earlier this year,
> and just announced the 7 kW unit with Secure Power Supply.
>
>
>
> Mark Byington
>
> Cobalt Power Systems, Inc.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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