Inverter protection [RE-wrenches]

[Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection]

<x-flowed>Doug,
I don't sell or install Power Panels and THAT is one of the reasons. 
As I recall, the wire that they provide to go from the inverter side 
of that 250A CB to the RE inputs is 6AWG as well. The one Wes Edwards 
and I installed as volunteers for a non profit had that #6 going 
right up into the battery positive input of a C40 controller. Meaning 
that should you have a fault in the controller, that #6 was protected 
only by a 250A CB. Lovely, and it apparently is OK with UL which 
tells me something about the whole testing lab deal. As to protecting 
the inverter DC inputs from gross overvoltage, I THINK the C40 (or 
whatever) should block PV voltage if powered down. The wind genny is 
another matter entirely. Usuall, I remove the skinny #10 wire from 
the battery side of the big Henie and replace it with something more 
substantial BEFORE I assemble the DC 250. Of course, with your PP 
that defeats the whole purpose of buying a prewired, UL approved 
unit. Your only options I think, would be to shove a wire up with the 
4/0 on the hot side of the big CB, feed it to a smaller downstream CB 
or safety switch and on to your Whisper load center (or whatever). 
OR, feed the Whisper load center (thru a DC rated CB or RK-5 fused 
safety switch) directly from the battery. A bit uglier, but at least 
safe.
Good Luck, Bob-O

>I have a question for the expertise of this group.  We are in the final
>throws of completing a system (2 racks of 4 ASE 300W modules on trackers and
>3000W Whisper (I think), 2 Trace 5548s for 240V on a Trace Power Board,
>about 2000 Ahr battery bank, 20Kw generator, purchased as a package from
>Kiocera ("It will take an electrician only a few hours to get it up and
>running!")).  The power inputs (PV and wind) are connected to the inverter
>side of the 250A battery disconnects, which is our question.  It seems to
>leave the inverter unprotected - you're able to isolate the batteries, but
>to isolate the inverter you need to turn off the PV and wind input
>separately.  This would seem to make sense, but it seems that an inattentive
>or inadequately trained homeowner might easily turn off the battery main,
>thinking they were disconnecting power to the inverter, when in fact the PV
>and wind would still be powering the units.  We actually did this (left only
>the wind connected), and one of the inverters smoked.  So, I would
>appreciate any thoughts and/or remedies.
>Doug McCorkle
>Sunnyside Solar

Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection
PO Box 203, Hornbrook, CA 96044
800.945.7587 fax 530-475-3401
www.electronconnection.com

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