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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. <br><br>
At 09:35 PM 7/23/2016, you wrote:<br>
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Hi Jerry,<br>
<br>
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.<br>
According to the web box, the inverter has the latest available
firmware.<br>
I am hoping it is a failure at a splice in a rooftop jbox (all are
exposed on the ridge). <br>
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. <br>
<br>
Thanks for your thoughts.<br>
Glenn<br>
<br>
<b>From:</b> Jerry Shafer
[<a href="mailto:jerrysgarage01@gmail.com" eudora="autourl">
mailto:jerrysgarage01@gmail.com</a>] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, July 22, 2016 11:05 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> RE-wrenches; glenn.burt@glbcc.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters<br>
<br><br>
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.<br><br>
Jerry<br>
<br>
On Jul 22, 2016 3:37 PM, "Glenn Burt"
<<a href="mailto:glenn.burt@glbcc.com">glenn.burt@glbcc.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
August,<br>
<br>
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. <br>
Next visit is up on the roof (steep pitch) to see if there is anything
obvious. <br>
I hate to simply disable the AFCI functionality without a serious effort,
however I am approaching that point. <br>
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.<br>
<br>
Looking forward to hearing more of your experience as it develops!<br>
<br>
-Glenn<br>
<br>
<b>From:</b> RE-wrenches
[<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" eudora="autourl">
mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of
</b>August Goers<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, July 22, 2016 10:23 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters<br>
<br>
Glen,<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
August<br>
<br>
<b>From:</b> RE-wrenches
[<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" eudora="autourl">
mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of
</b>Glenn Burt<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, July 22, 2016 5:08 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters<br>
<br>
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.<br>
It made me feel better about doing recent replacements.<br>
I'm having more trouble with the TL inverters and AFCI issues on older
systems, however.<br>
<hr>
<div align="center"></div>
<b>From: </b><a href="mailto:Gary@SYVSolar.com">Gary at Santa Ynez Valley
Solar</a><br>
<b>Sent: </b>7/21/2016 21:43<br>
<b>To:
</b><a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a><br>
<b>Subject: </b>[RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<br>
Gary<br>
<br>
<br>
Gary Gordon<br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.syvsolar.com/">www.SYVSolar.com</a><br>
PO Box 688 <br>
Santa Ynez, CA 93460<br>
<a href="tel:805%20688-1213">805 688-1213</a><br>
NABCEP Certified Installer<br>
CA Licensed Solar Contractor<br>
<br><br>
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