[RE-wrenches] Generator backfeeding enphase?

[Howie Michaelson]

Thanks all for the detailed explanations as to why backfeeding a generator
is a potential problem.  Tump, I think in general, that is often the case,
but I have seen regular grid tie inverters pickup some average generators.
The bottom line is do we want to take the risk, even if small, of owning a
blown generator.  We have in most cases chosen to avoid this possibility by
either tying in above the automatic transfer switch, or putting a relay in
that disconnects the inverter when the generator connects to the house.  If
someone wants to take on that risk, that is their own decision. I just
object when the installer is not upfront about the potential problem.

Howie

On Wed, Oct 21, 2015 at 7:24 AM, Chris Mason <cometenergysystems at gmail.com>
wrote:

> That trends to be the saving grace for most installations,  however  in
> the islands, we modify the inverter parameters to accept poor quality
> power. Our inverters will connect to most decent generators.
> On Oct 20, 2015 7:16 PM, "Tump" <tump at swnl.net> wrote:
>
>> I guess that am missing something..... I have yet to see a generator that
>> is available to most home owners that will meet the required AC voltage &
>> Hzs to latch onto any grid tied inverter.
>> On Oct 20, 2015, at 12:37 PM, jay wrote:
>>
>> I don’t think you are missing anything.
>> jay
>>
>> On Oct 20, 2015, at 9:01 AM, Howie Michaelson <howie at suncatchervt.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Does anyone think that there is no issue with having enphase potentially
>> backfeeding a backup generator? We almost always will tie in upstream of a
>> generator transfer switch, but a competitor is telling clients with an
>> enphase system there is no concern. Am I missing something?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Howie
>> Howie Michaelson
>> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
>>
>> Catamount Solar
>> Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service
>> VT Solar Electric Incentive Partner
>> http://www.CatamountSolar.com <http://www.catamountsolar.com/>
>> 802-272-0004
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> Change listserver email address & settings:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List-Archive:
>> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
>>
>> List rules & etiquette:
>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>
>> Check out or update participant bios:
>> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>
>>
>> *Tump at swnl.net*               *www.SWNL.net*
>>                 Solarwinds Northernlights
>> *       Serving Mid Coast Maine & Northern California*
>> *                         207-832-7574 <207-832-7574>   Cl. 610-517-8401
>> <610-517-8401>                              *
>>                               *Blair "TUMP" May*
>>
>>
>> *               ********  MAINE'S CHARTER ******** *                   *
>> NABCEP    "Certified PV Installer"*
>>
>>
>> *                 ********  MAINE'S CHARTER ********          **
>> Trace Xantrex "Certified" Dealer / Installer"*
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> Change listserver email address & settings:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List-Archive:
>> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
>>
>> List rules & etiquette:
>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>
>> Check out or update participant bios:
>> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List-Archive:
> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out or update participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20151021/968cbc66/attachment-0002.html>