[RE-wrenches] AFCI trip on metal roof

[AE Solar]

We had that issue once. It was after a night of heavy rainfall and the
error only read for the first few early hours of the day. SMA told us it
was a poor connection in an MC4 connector that most likely got some
dampness in it...

Adam Katzman
Autonomous Energies
PO Box 1245
Kingston, NY 12402
www.autonomousenergies.com
(518) 567-1468


On Wed, Mar 23, 2016 at 5:16 PM, August Goers <august at luminalt.com> wrote:

> Hi Drake,
>
>
>
> What model SMA inverter(s) and modules do you have? We had one case where
> a MC4 connector under the array was not making good contact. It was not
> seated properly when the installer made up the connector and the arc fault
> sensor in the inverter did its job. We had another site where some
> electrical noise on the AC side, presumably a sump pump, caused the issue
> and we could not solve it so had to switch to another inverter
> manufacturer. There were other cases where the impedance or other
> electrical characteristics of the solar modules where the likely culprit.
>
>
>
> Is your roof and array totally equipment grounded?
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
> August
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Drake
> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 23, 2016 2:08 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] AFCI trip on metal roof
>
>
>
> Hello Wrenches,
>
> We have a project with an array on a large metal roof. The AFCI has been
> tripping. Investigating the system, there is no evidence of any arcing: the
> wiring and connections are all very tight.
>
> SMA tech support says it is likely that the nuisance tripping comes from
> electrical noise getting picked up by the large metal roof.
>
> What has been your overall experience with nuisance tripping of arc fault
> protection? What were the suspected causes? What was the solution?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Drake
>
> Drake Chamberlin
>
>
>
>
>
> *Athens Electric LLCOH License 44810CO License 3773NABCEP Certified Solar
> PV 740-448-7328 <740-448-7328>*http://athens-electric.com/
>
>
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