[RE-wrenches] Troubleshooting Stumper - Homerun Interference in Conduit/Inverter Turning Off/On Rapidly

[Jerry Shafer]

Maybe l missed it but is this a new installation or did it operate normally
in the past
Jerry
On Sep 7, 2016 12:57 PM, "August Goers" <august at luminalt.com> wrote:

> Definitely check polarity on each string. Could be positives and negatives
> are mixed up and the wire colors are adding to the confusion.
>
>
>
> August
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Roy Rakobitsch
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 07, 2016 3:35 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Troubleshooting Stumper - Homerun
> Interference in Conduit/Inverter Turning Off/On Rapidly
>
>
>
> Have you measured the current of each string simultaneously while the
> issue was happening? Have you verified correct polarity on each string?
>
> Roy Rakobitsch
> NABCEP Certified Small Wind Installer®
> Certified Advanced Tower Climbing, Safety & Rescue
> Wind/PV Design Engineer
> Windsine LLC
> 631-514-4166
> www.windsine.org
>
>
>
> On Sep 7, 2016 4:45 PM, "Matt Partymiller" <matt at solar-energy-solutions.
> com> wrote:
>
> Wrenches,
>
> One of our systems is having an issue I have not encountered before where
> the inverter switches between nighttime mode and interconnection every few
> seconds.  I am hoping for some technical wisdom from the community.
>
> We have an array of 20 TrinaSmart modules in two strings of 10.  The array
> is connected to a Solectria 3.8 kW inverter.  The conduit run is simple,
> all four homerun wires (#10 PVwire) in 1" EMT down to the proximity of the
> Solectria inverter where the conduit switches to 1" LFMC before entering
> the inverter.  The run is about 20', straight down the side of the wall
> before hitting the inverter.  A 600V jacketed communications wire was also
> in the conduit but has since been removed and run separately.
>
> Our inverter is starting up, running for a few seconds, giving a low
> voltage error, briefly showing nighttime mode, then going into startup
> mode again.  Solectria was gracious enough to send us a new inverter but
> we have the exact same issue.  They tell us their error codes (266, 274)
> indicate 0 volts.  The transition between low voltage error and startup is
> almost instant.  Basically we have 20 seconds of start up, 5 seconds of
> run, 5 seconds of error then repeat.  This is not a grid problem, the
> identical system next door works fine.
>
> In the process of troubleshooting, our technician pulled all four homerun
> wires out of our conduit and meggered them.  They all tested fine so he
> connected to the inverter.  The inverter worked fine.  The technician
> verified grounding of the array and conduit, pulled new homeruns back
> through the conduit, and reconnected to the inverter.  He had the same
> error as before.
>
> He connected each string separately to the inverter by removing the string
> fuses.  Either string will operate fine independently.  With string one in
> conduit and either homerun of string two in conduit (but not both) the
> inverter operates fine.  With string two in conduit but string one outside
> of conduit, the inverter does not operate.
>
> I was certain the error had something to do with homerun roof wiring so I
> went out with the technician and removed and checked pretty much every
> module.  Everything appears fine, all connections solid, all homeruns have
> been remade at least once at this point.  Now I am stumped and lack the
> technical knowledge to diagnose the problem.  I would be extremely
> grateful if an esteemed wrench can provide technical support/advice.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Matt
>
>
>
>
> Matthew Partymiller
> Solar Energy Solutions LLC
> (877) 312-7456
> matt at solar-energy-solutions.com
>
>
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