[RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters

Drake drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org
Sun Jul 24 08:37:03 PDT 2016


It could easily be a nuisance trip rather than 
any problem. For sure, you want to check 
for  possible problems. Big metal roofs are prone 
to nuisance tripping of the SMA AFCIs. I've been through this.

At 09:35 PM 7/23/2016, you wrote:
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>
>Hi Jerry,
>
>It passes the initial power up tests fine, and 
>fails at almost the same time of day when it 
>faults with a 4301 Electric Arc Detected. Not 
>usually the next day, often it will be fine for a week or so.
>According to the web box, the inverter has the latest available firmware.
>I am hoping it is a failure at a splice in a 
>rooftop jbox (all are exposed on the ridge).
>I went there last week, but the customer office 
>manager decided she wanted a written safety plan 
>before she was comfortable letting me climb on 
>the roof, so I am cogitating on that.
>
>Thanks for your thoughts.
>Glenn
>
>From: Jerry Shafer [mailto:jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com]
>Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 11:05 PM
>To: RE-wrenches; glenn.burt at glbcc.com
>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
>
>
>Question, is it the first test where it is 
>checking for noise in the system or is it 
>finding a fault once it is running. Does it have 
>the latest software update, which code do you 
>have test failure or arc failt detected, way 
>different trouble shooting tracks yo follow. If 
>it is a test fail try to remove just the ground 
>wire from the array, because its a metal roof 
>its a big antenna and hears something that is to 
>much for the test to deal with. If it fails due 
>to an arc then there is most likely an arc at a connection.
>
>Jerry
>
>On Jul 22, 2016 3:37 PM, "Glenn Burt" 
><<mailto:glenn.burt at glbcc.com>glenn.burt at glbcc.com> wrote:
>August,
>
>I am currently chasing down unexplained AFCI 
>faults with old SX 160 modules on a metal roof 
>and having replaced two SMA SWR-2500U’s with a 
>SB 5000TL-US-22. So far I have been swapping 
>input strings to see if there is a pattern, however no joy.
>Next visit is up on the roof (steep pitch) to 
>see if there is anything obvious.
>I hate to simply disable the AFCI functionality 
>without a serious effort, however I am approaching that point.
>It is a T&M job for a system installed by others 
>back in 2004, about an hour trip 1 way and I am 
>afraid the customer will soon believe I am stringing out the work.
>
>Looking forward to hearing more of your experience as it develops!
>
>-Glenn
>
>From: RE-wrenches 
>[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of August Goers
>Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 10:23 AM
>To: RE-wrenches
>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
>
>Glen,
>
>It’s interesting you mention that you’re 
>having AFCI issues with new TL inverters and old 
>modules. We are too. We have a particular system 
>with BP modules where we’re trying to figure 
>out if we have a warranty claim situation. 
>We’ve cleaned up all the DC-side wiring and 
>still the Sunny Boy is tripping with AFCI 
>errors. We think it is either corroded traces in 
>the modules or perhaps bypass diode issues in the module j-boxes. More to come.
>
>August
>
>From: RE-wrenches 
>[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Glenn Burt
>Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 5:08 AM
>To: RE-wrenches
>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
>
>If you read some of the proposed changes for the 
>2017 NEC, it is looking life there will be no 
>problem replacing isolated inverters with 
>non-isolated versions. In fact the proposed 
>wording seems to allow either USE, or PV wire to 
>be used with non-isolated inverters explicitly going forward.
>It made me feel better about doing recent replacements.
>I'm having more trouble with the TL inverters 
>and AFCI issues on older systems, however.
>
>----------
>From: <mailto:Gary at SYVSolar.com>Gary at Santa Ynez Valley Solar
>Sent: ‎7/‎21/‎2016 21:43
>To: 
><mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>Subject: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
>We are all facing having to replace the old 
>transformer based inverters when they run out. 
>Really difficult to find replacements. Against 
>code to replace with transformer less ones. I 
>wonder if a DC/DC transformer could be installed 
>just ahead of the transformer less inverter for 
>isolation purposes? Not clear on the concept.
>
>
>Gary
>
>
>Gary Gordon
>
>
>    <http://www.syvsolar.com/>www.SYVSolar.com
>    PO Box 688
>    Santa Ynez, CA  93460
>    <tel:805%20688-1213>805 688-1213
>    NABCEP Certified Installer
>    CA Licensed Solar Contractor
>
>
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