[RE-wrenches] Enphase intermittent breaker trippjng
Ray
ray at solarray.com
Thu Nov 19 15:39:45 EST 2020
114F was just the temperature where the derate in the NEC goes below the
continuous amps rating. I had no idea what the temperatures actually
were. Normally I do just as you did, and figure ambient temperature
based on AHSRAE. However another read of that part of the code seems to
indicate it would be the highest air temperature the conductor would be
exposed to. So the section of wiring in the attic at 140 F should be
designed for that. There is an exemption if its less than 10% of the
total circuit, though.
This is yet another thing I haven't been really paying enough attention
to, but now that someone else is having issues, its probably time to
include even more strenuous temperature derating. How, for instance,
would we calculate the temperature inside that disconnect box when its
in the sun? and it would depend on the color.....
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760
On 11/19/20 8:48 AM, Jason Szumlanski wrote:
> All good info.
>
> I plan to take my FLIR One out next time. I can paint it white in both
> cases I suppose.
>
> As for the temps, the high ambient here is 93ºF per ASHRAE. Inside
> attics, we can see temps exceeding 140ºF here. We don't derate
> conductors for that. I'm not sure where 114ºF comes from, but I get
> the point. The interior of the enclosure can certainly get blazing
> hot. This definitely seems to be a heat-related issue whether the NEC
> intent has been met or not. Upping the tap conductors to #4 or larger
> would not be difficult or expensive to accomplish. I will likely make
> that our new standard for 50A and 60A calculated circuits for
> supply-side interconnections made outdoors.
>
> Jason
>
>
> On Wed, Nov 18, 2020 at 8:13 PM Ray <ray at solarray.com
> <mailto:ray at solarray.com>> wrote:
>
> What is the brand and model of the disconnect? Temp ratings of the
> terminals? I've definitely had fuse holders not make good contact
> with the fuses and burn the fuses at one end, instead of in the
> middle. Have you looked at it with a Thermal imaging camera when
> its operating to see if its hot on one end of the fuse?
>
> Second, depending on the temperature it would be hitting inside
> the enclosure in the sun, you could be exceeding the rating of the
> #6 conductor. Assuming terminals rated at 75C, then from 310.16,
> a #6 is rated 65 A, but derate for temperature of 114F inside the
> enclosure gets you to .82 x 65 = 53.3, which is a bit less than
> the 54.45 that Dave just calculated for continuous duty.
>
> What color is the disconnect painted? any chance of painting it
> white?
>
> Ray Walters
> Remote Solar
> 303 505-8760
>
> On 11/18/20 4:16 PM, Dave Tedeyan wrote:
>> Jason,
>> Bright sunny days, disconnect on the west side of house, maybe in
>> the sun? 43.56A * 1.25 for continuous duty = 54.45A. If these
>> disconnects are also baking in the sun, maybe the extra ambient
>> heat is enough to push it over the edge? Just a thought.
>> Cheers,
>> Dave
>>
>> *Dave Tedeyan, PE*
>> Senior Engineer | Taitem Engineering, PC
>>
>> 110 South Albany Street | Ithaca, NY 14850
>> o. _607.277.1118 x121_ f. 607.277.2119
>> www.taitem.com <http://www.taitem.com>
>>
>> Solar •Sustainability • Energy • Design
>> Certified B-Corporation since 2013
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 18, 2020 at 3:41 PM Jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com
>> <mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Jason
>>
>> Any chance for some photos?
>>
>> Jay
>>
>>> On Nov 18, 2020, at 12:18 PM, Jason Szumlanski
>>> <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com
>>> <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> The plot thickens on the fuse blowing issue. Again, we tore
>>> the Enphase IQ system apart looking for any reason for the
>>> fuse to keep blowing. We reconfirmed torque on all line side
>>> conductors to the service (supply side interconnection using
>>> Polaris taps).
>>>
>>> Low and behold, I get a second client with the exact same
>>> issue yesterday. The circumstances are eerily alike. Both
>>> disconnects are located on the west side of the house and
>>> have 36 IQ7+ microinverters on an IQ Combiner, requiring 60A
>>> fuses on the 60A fusible disconnect. The combined inverter
>>> output rating is 43.56A. The interconnections are identical
>>> with #6 THHN 90ºC conductors and Polaris taps. Both
>>> disconnects have conductors on the right-hand side line-side
>>> terminal that are discolored (the copper is silvery, the
>>> insulation is not burned). The fuses blow at peak current
>>> around 1:30 pm, only on bright and sunny days.
>>>
>>> I'm starting to suspect a faulty fusible disconnect switch.
>>> Maybe the blades are not making proper contact with the line
>>> side terminals.
>>>
>>> For the client who is having regular/frequent fuses blowing
>>> I plan to replace the disconnect with a heavy-duty version
>>> or possibly get a 100A disconnect with fuse reducers. I'm
>>> not sure which option would yield a better test. I might
>>> also switch brands.
>>>
>>> Currently, we are using GE TG3222R. The fuses are Bussman
>>> FRN-R Time Delay. I have to believe a heavy-duty switch
>>> would be less susceptible to this, but maybe a higher rated
>>> one would be a better option. I'm not a fan of fuse
>>> reducers, however.
>>>
>>> Jason Szumlanski
>>> Florida Solar Design Group
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Aug 30, 2020 at 5:54 PM Jason Szumlanski
>>> <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com
>>> <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>> The tripping breaker occurred at random times, even at
>>> night. No weather-related correlation.
>>>
>>> I have more research to do to see when this fuse issue
>>> is happening, but previous visits showed no water
>>> ingress. I'm not sure about temperature.
>>>
>>> *
>>>
>>> *
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Aug 27, 2020 at 8:51 PM Jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com
>>> <mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Jason
>>>
>>> One thought I have about the blowing fuse is to
>>> check it with a IR tool.
>>>
>>> I suspect a poor connection of the fuse to holder
>>> which during higher air temp is causing it to fail.
>>> I’m assuming that the correct amp size and slow blow
>>> fuse Is installed and that the wire connections are
>>> done correctly. But again an IR tool during peak
>>> heat would be a good test.
>>>
>>> About the enphase fix, wow what a head scratcher.
>>> But given that it’s fixed it means that it’s not a
>>> short, but enough amps going through over enough
>>> time to trip it. I wonder if a magnetic hydraulic vs
>>> thermal breaker ( CBI vs CH etc) would have worked?
>>>
>>> Is that breaker box ever in the sun? Is there any
>>> Correlation between high ambient temperatures and
>>> tripping?
>>>
>>> It sure would keep me up at night too
>>>
>>> Jay
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Aug 27, 2020, at 4:29 PM, Jason Szumlanski
>>>> <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com
>>>> <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> So the resolution to this is in... But I still have
>>>> no idea what was wrong.
>>>>
>>>> The string of 10 offending microinverters was split
>>>> into 5 and 5. We had a spare breaker in the IQ
>>>> Combiner so it was relatively easy to run another
>>>> branch circuit. It has been over two months with no
>>>> recurrence. So the issue seems to be resolved, but
>>>> again, no idea why.
>>>>
>>>> So here we go again... On another system we have a
>>>> similar problem now. In this case it is supply side
>>>> interconnected with a fusible disconnect. The same
>>>> fuse (same line) keeps blowing every few to several
>>>> weeks. We can't find any home run wiring issues or
>>>> issues with terminator caps. There are no apparent
>>>> faults in the AC Combiner. We have no idea why
>>>> this is happening. But in this system, just the
>>>> fuse blows, not one of the individual branch
>>>> circuit breakers.
>>>>
>>>> This is getting very frustrating. And this is way
>>>> more serious because fuses and service calls are
>>>> expensive and I can't isolate the issue to one
>>>> branch circuit. I don't even know where to start.
>>>> Leaving each circuit disconnected for several weeks
>>>> to prove a negative is an untenable suggestion to
>>>> make to a client. But I don't see any other good
>>>> options.
>>>>
>>>> Jason Szumlanski
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Jun 9, 2020, 3:42 PM Jason Szumlanski
>>>> <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com
>>>> <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Yes, we double-checked that. I have seen that
>>>> happen before and it's one of my early
>>>> diagnostic steps for something like this.
>>>>
>>>> *
>>>>
>>>> *
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Jun 9, 2020 at 9:18 AM Mac Lewis
>>>> <maclewis1 at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:maclewis1 at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi Jason,
>>>>
>>>> Are you certain that the branch circuits
>>>> aren't crisscrossed somewhere, meaning that
>>>> an L1 branch 1, isn't connected to an L2
>>>> branch 2? That could explain two different
>>>> breakers tripping.
>>>>
>>>> Good luck
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Jun 3, 2020 at 1:07 PM Jason
>>>> Szumlanski
>>>> <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com
>>>> <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Undoubtedly, the termination caps are
>>>> the second thing we check after the
>>>> rooftop junction box(es). These are
>>>> prone to installation errors, even when
>>>> the right parts are used. And given the
>>>> cost, I've thought very long and hard
>>>> about abandoning them altogether and
>>>> terminating strings in small j-boxes
>>>> with watertight fittings. But in this
>>>> case, there was no evidence of improper
>>>> installation (we replaced them) and it
>>>> was not correlated to rain events.
>>>>
>>>> We are well equipped with bare Q-cable
>>>> and field wireables that we could use
>>>> for troubleshooting to bypass certain
>>>> sections, but the intermittent nature
>>>> of the problem and unpredictable
>>>> timeframe between faults is very
>>>> frustrating. While this is a
>>>> rare occurrence, it is definitely a
>>>> "con" to consider when comparing string
>>>> vs. microinverters that I had not
>>>> strongly considered in the past. I'm
>>>> intent on getting to the bottom of this
>>>> in order to learn what to look for in
>>>> the future and how to approach
>>>> diagnoses of Enphase branch circuit faults.
>>>>
>>>> Jason
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *
>>>>
>>>> *
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Jun 3, 2020 at 2:31 PM Amos
>>>> Post <integrityenergy101 at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:integrityenergy101 at gmail.com>>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I was just at a site last week
>>>> where the Enphase branch circuit
>>>> breaker, outside utility disconnect
>>>> breaker, and feed breaker in the
>>>> main panel all tripped
>>>> simultaneously, and it happened
>>>> about 1 hour before I showed up
>>>> onsite. The customer said it had
>>>> happened 1 other time last fall but
>>>> that time it was just the 1 branch
>>>> circuit in the Enphase combiner
>>>> panel. Interestingly the customer
>>>> mentioned that he had just washed
>>>> off the panels, also about 1 hour
>>>> before I got there. I went on the
>>>> roof and found that the installing
>>>> contractor had not put on the
>>>> Enphase termination caps. 1 string
>>>> was wire-nutted with regular wire
>>>> nuts and sitting on the roof, and
>>>> the roof was damp right there. This
>>>> was a fairly flat roof. The other
>>>> micro trunk cable was just cut with
>>>> no protection at all, tied to the
>>>> rail…
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> <IE LOGO 150x78.jpg>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Amos Post
>>>> Integrity Energy
>>>> W 802.763.7023
>>>> C 802.291.2188
>>>> ienergyVT.com
>>>> <https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/3d62f76a530747b19a4154eb2e2b0d2548eee0a0?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ienergyvt.com&userId=1613865&signature=6df658aa959a645e>
>>>>
>>>> Facebook
>>>> <https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/d6455a016d2384afbd80a78dab5594aee31be9f3?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fintegrityenergyllp%3Fref%3Dhl&userId=1613865&signature=8d22e279508a21c8>
>>>>
>>>>> On Jun 3, 2020, at 2:05 PM, Jason
>>>>> Szumlanski
>>>>> <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com
>>>>> <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> The breaker in the main panel IS
>>>>> tripping simultaneously with one
>>>>> of the branch circuit breakers
>>>>> each time.
>>>>> *
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> *
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Jun 3, 2020 at 12:43 PM
>>>>> Jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com
>>>>> <mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> A question that keeps nagging
>>>>> me is why do these breakers
>>>>> trip and not the breaker in
>>>>> the main panel?
>>>>> Presuming there is a 40 amp in
>>>>> the main
>>>>>
>>>>> I would have thought that
>>>>> given all the times the
>>>>> breakers have tripped at some
>>>>> point that one would have
>>>>> tripped and I can’t understand
>>>>> why not?
>>>>>
>>>>> Jay
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Jun 3, 2020, at 8:27 AM,
>>>>>> Jerry Shafer
>>>>>> <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com
>>>>>> <mailto:jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com>>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Wrenches
>>>>>> Looking g at the bigger
>>>>>> breaker tripping at the same
>>>>>> time is very likely do to
>>>>>> response time of the breaker
>>>>>> nothing more. As l suggested
>>>>>> in a previous message. Use a
>>>>>> non bridged breaker to see if
>>>>>> it is one or both legs that
>>>>>> trip. Also an eguage will
>>>>>> help to see what if anything
>>>>>> leads up to the failure and
>>>>>> when.
>>>>>> Jerry
>>>>>> Jerry
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Wed, Jun 3, 2020, 7:58 AM
>>>>>> Jason Szumlanski
>>>>>> <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com
>>>>>> <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I wonder about that. Of
>>>>>> course, it could be the
>>>>>> "inverter output circuit"
>>>>>> having a fault in the
>>>>>> wiring still (an
>>>>>> intermittent issue
>>>>>> somewhere within the IQ
>>>>>> cable or home run
>>>>>> wiring). But internal to
>>>>>> the microinverter, is it
>>>>>> possible that a fault
>>>>>> could still occur at
>>>>>> night? I had a suggestion
>>>>>> from another wrench that
>>>>>> there are film capacitors
>>>>>> on the AC output side,
>>>>>> but are these isolated
>>>>>> when there is no DC
>>>>>> input? It seems unlikely
>>>>>> that this would be an
>>>>>> issue, but I have seen
>>>>>> microinverters reporting
>>>>>> a couple of watts at
>>>>>> night (in Enlighten). I'm
>>>>>> not sure how real that is.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The overriding question I
>>>>>> have is what kind of
>>>>>> fault would cause BOTH a
>>>>>> branch circuit and the
>>>>>> main solar breaker to
>>>>>> trip simultaneously? That
>>>>>> seems odd to me. If any
>>>>>> normal load branch
>>>>>> circuit has a fault, you
>>>>>> don't often see
>>>>>> premises main breakers
>>>>>> tripping, or even feeder
>>>>>> circuit breakers.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I got to thinking that
>>>>>> maybe there is some kind
>>>>>> of issue between the
>>>>>> BR220 and CH240 breakers
>>>>>> not playing nicely
>>>>>> together. But I would
>>>>>> think this would be a
>>>>>> well-known issue because
>>>>>> I'm sure there are tons
>>>>>> of CH feeder breakers in
>>>>>> the wild with BR branch
>>>>>> circuits downstream.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Tue, Jun 2, 2020 at
>>>>>> 9:25 AM
>>>>>> <drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org
>>>>>> <mailto:drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org>>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If it trips at night,
>>>>>> we know it is not the
>>>>>> output from the
>>>>>> inverters causing the
>>>>>> tripping. The current
>>>>>> must be coming from
>>>>>> the grid.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ---
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 2020-06-01 12:05,
>>>>>> Jason Szumlanski wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It's not weather.
>>>>>>> It's at all times of
>>>>>>> the day and night,
>>>>>>> and I confirmed that
>>>>>>> there is no
>>>>>>> correlation to rain
>>>>>>> or high winds. That
>>>>>>> was my first suspicion.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Mon, Jun 1, 2020
>>>>>>> at 10:27 AM Ray
>>>>>>> <ray at solarray.com
>>>>>>> <mailto:ray at solarray.com>>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is it at all
>>>>>>> weather related?
>>>>>>> Rain, or high
>>>>>>> humidity? High
>>>>>>> temperatures? Do
>>>>>>> you have any
>>>>>>> indication what
>>>>>>> time of day it
>>>>>>> trips off at?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Ray Walters
>>>>>>> Remote Solar
>>>>>>> 303 505-8760
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 6/1/20 10:23
>>>>>>> AM, Jason
>>>>>>> Szumlanski wrote:
>>>>>>>> Well, that
>>>>>>>> didn't resolve
>>>>>>>> it. The main
>>>>>>>> breaker and a
>>>>>>>> branch circuit
>>>>>>>> breaker tripped
>>>>>>>> again a few
>>>>>>>> days ago. It
>>>>>>>> was the same
>>>>>>>> branch this time.
>>>>>>>> As my next
>>>>>>>> diagnostic step
>>>>>>>> I swapped two
>>>>>>>> circuits (on
>>>>>>>> which breaker
>>>>>>>> they are
>>>>>>>> landed). If
>>>>>>>> history is a
>>>>>>>> guide, it will
>>>>>>>> work for about
>>>>>>>> two weeks and
>>>>>>>> then trip again.
>>>>>>>> I'm
>>>>>>>> dumbfounded. I
>>>>>>>> really don't
>>>>>>>> want to have to
>>>>>>>> tear this whole
>>>>>>>> system apart.
>>>>>>>> At this point,
>>>>>>>> if I have to
>>>>>>>> remove all the
>>>>>>>> modules, I feel
>>>>>>>> that I need to
>>>>>>>> replace all of
>>>>>>>> the trunk cable
>>>>>>>> which is an
>>>>>>>> expensive
>>>>>>>> proposition. I
>>>>>>>> really don't
>>>>>>>> know what else
>>>>>>>> to do at this
>>>>>>>> point.
>>>>>>>> Jason
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Mon, May 25,
>>>>>>>> 2020, 10:43 AM
>>>>>>>> Jason
>>>>>>>> Szumlanski
>>>>>>>> <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com
>>>>>>>> <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I strongly
>>>>>>>> suspect the
>>>>>>>> CH240
>>>>>>>> combined
>>>>>>>> breaker was
>>>>>>>> compromised
>>>>>>>> (we will
>>>>>>>> see). Since
>>>>>>>> it happened
>>>>>>>> that two
>>>>>>>> different
>>>>>>>> strings
>>>>>>>> tripped, I
>>>>>>>> doubt I
>>>>>>>> have two
>>>>>>>> microinverters
>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>> internal
>>>>>>>> faults. It
>>>>>>>> has to be
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> combined
>>>>>>>> breaker. I
>>>>>>>> was just
>>>>>>>> surprised
>>>>>>>> that branch
>>>>>>>> circuit
>>>>>>>> breakers
>>>>>>>> were
>>>>>>>> tripping
>>>>>>>> simultaneously with
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> combined
>>>>>>>> output breaker.
>>>>>>>> Of all the
>>>>>>>> supply side
>>>>>>>> connected
>>>>>>>> systems I
>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>> installed,
>>>>>>>> I have
>>>>>>>> never seen
>>>>>>>> a combined
>>>>>>>> output
>>>>>>>> fusible
>>>>>>>> disconnect
>>>>>>>> fuse blow,
>>>>>>>> but I have
>>>>>>>> seen many
>>>>>>>> combined
>>>>>>>> output
>>>>>>>> breakers
>>>>>>>> tripped. I
>>>>>>>> was worried
>>>>>>>> early on
>>>>>>>> that I
>>>>>>>> would be
>>>>>>>> replacing
>>>>>>>> fuses
>>>>>>>> constantly,
>>>>>>>> but that
>>>>>>>> has not
>>>>>>>> been an
>>>>>>>> issue
>>>>>>>> whatsoever.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Thu, May
>>>>>>>> 21, 2020 at
>>>>>>>> 11:15 AM
>>>>>>>> <scot.arey at solarcentex.com
>>>>>>>> <mailto:scot.arey at solarcentex.com>>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Actually,
>>>>>>>> we had
>>>>>>>> a IQ7
>>>>>>>> string
>>>>>>>> loaded
>>>>>>>> up to
>>>>>>>> its max
>>>>>>>> panel
>>>>>>>> size
>>>>>>>> and max
>>>>>>>> string
>>>>>>>> length
>>>>>>>> and in
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> spring
>>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>>> cool,
>>>>>>>> clear
>>>>>>>> day, it
>>>>>>>> tripped
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> string's
>>>>>>>> associated
>>>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>>>> in the
>>>>>>>> Enphase
>>>>>>>> combiner.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> We
>>>>>>>> reset
>>>>>>>> but of
>>>>>>>> course
>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>>> impaired
>>>>>>>> and it
>>>>>>>> tripped
>>>>>>>> again.
>>>>>>>> We
>>>>>>>> replaced
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> never
>>>>>>>> had an
>>>>>>>> issue
>>>>>>>> going
>>>>>>>> forward.
>>>>>>>> We
>>>>>>>> suspect
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>>> less
>>>>>>>> than
>>>>>>>> perfect
>>>>>>>> from
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> start
>>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>>> we've
>>>>>>>> add
>>>>>>>> equally
>>>>>>>> nice
>>>>>>>> days since.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> This
>>>>>>>> almost
>>>>>>>> reminds
>>>>>>>> me of
>>>>>>>> loading
>>>>>>>> up
>>>>>>>> Outback
>>>>>>>> FM80.
>>>>>>>> It says
>>>>>>>> 4,000
>>>>>>>> watts
>>>>>>>> but in
>>>>>>>> reality,
>>>>>>>> 3,600
>>>>>>>> is the
>>>>>>>> max
>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>> amps
>>>>>>>> spike.
>>>>>>>> I will
>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>> extra
>>>>>>>> careful
>>>>>>>> going
>>>>>>>> forward
>>>>>>>> on IQ7
>>>>>>>> string
>>>>>>>> length
>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>> going
>>>>>>>> to the
>>>>>>>> max
>>>>>>>> published...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My story.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Scot
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> *From:*RE-wrenches
>>>>>>>> <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>>>>>>> <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>>*On
>>>>>>>> Behalf
>>>>>>>> Of*Jason
>>>>>>>> Szumlanski
>>>>>>>> *Sent:*Thursday,
>>>>>>>> May 21,
>>>>>>>> 2020
>>>>>>>> 8:57 AM
>>>>>>>> *To:*RE-wrenches
>>>>>>>> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>>>>>>> <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>>
>>>>>>>> *Subject:*[RE-wrenches]
>>>>>>>> Enphase
>>>>>>>> intermittent
>>>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>>>> trippjng
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'm
>>>>>>>> trying
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> resolve
>>>>>>>> an
>>>>>>>> intermittent
>>>>>>>> frustrating
>>>>>>>> problem
>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> Enphase
>>>>>>>> IQ
>>>>>>>> system.
>>>>>>>> There
>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>> three
>>>>>>>> AC
>>>>>>>> Branch
>>>>>>>> circuits
>>>>>>>> of 9
>>>>>>>> microinverters
>>>>>>>> each
>>>>>>>> coming
>>>>>>>> into an
>>>>>>>> Enphase
>>>>>>>> AC
>>>>>>>> combiner.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> What
>>>>>>>> has
>>>>>>>> been
>>>>>>>> happening
>>>>>>>> is one
>>>>>>>> of the
>>>>>>>> BR220
>>>>>>>> branch
>>>>>>>> circuit
>>>>>>>> breakers
>>>>>>>> and the
>>>>>>>> combine
>>>>>>>> CH240
>>>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>>>> in the
>>>>>>>> main
>>>>>>>> backfed
>>>>>>>> load
>>>>>>>> center
>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>> been
>>>>>>>> tripping
>>>>>>>> simultaneously.
>>>>>>>> It has
>>>>>>>> happened
>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>> four
>>>>>>>> times
>>>>>>>> in the
>>>>>>>> last 6
>>>>>>>> months.
>>>>>>>> It was
>>>>>>>> always
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> same
>>>>>>>> branch
>>>>>>>> circuit
>>>>>>>> breaker,
>>>>>>>> so we
>>>>>>>> kept
>>>>>>>> investigating
>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>> string,
>>>>>>>> checking
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> junction
>>>>>>>> box,
>>>>>>>> trunk
>>>>>>>> cable,
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> cap,
>>>>>>>> etc.
>>>>>>>> Finally
>>>>>>>> we
>>>>>>>> swapped
>>>>>>>> out the
>>>>>>>> BR220
>>>>>>>> breaker.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Fast
>>>>>>>> forward
>>>>>>>> 4
>>>>>>>> weeks,
>>>>>>>> and we
>>>>>>>> got
>>>>>>>> another
>>>>>>>> call.
>>>>>>>> This
>>>>>>>> time a
>>>>>>>> different
>>>>>>>> branch
>>>>>>>> circuit
>>>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>>>> and the
>>>>>>>> main
>>>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>>>> tripped
>>>>>>>> simultaneously.
>>>>>>>> We
>>>>>>>> checked
>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>> branch
>>>>>>>> circuit
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> could
>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>> find
>>>>>>>> any
>>>>>>>> fault.
>>>>>>>> It
>>>>>>>> seems
>>>>>>>> unlikely
>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>> two
>>>>>>>> branch
>>>>>>>> circuit
>>>>>>>> breakers
>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>> faulty,
>>>>>>>> so we
>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>> now
>>>>>>>> switched
>>>>>>>> out the
>>>>>>>> CH240
>>>>>>>> main
>>>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>> hopes
>>>>>>>> that it
>>>>>>>> is the
>>>>>>>> culprit.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'm not
>>>>>>>> totally
>>>>>>>> confident
>>>>>>>> in this
>>>>>>>> resolution
>>>>>>>> and I
>>>>>>>> have my
>>>>>>>> fingers
>>>>>>>> crossed.
>>>>>>>> If that
>>>>>>>> doesn't
>>>>>>>> work,
>>>>>>>> does
>>>>>>>> anyone
>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>> any
>>>>>>>> suggestions
>>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>>> another
>>>>>>>> diagnostic
>>>>>>>> step?
>>>>>>>> These
>>>>>>>> intermittent
>>>>>>>> problems
>>>>>>>> are a
>>>>>>>> major
>>>>>>>> hassle.
>>>>>>>> One
>>>>>>>> thought
>>>>>>>> I had
>>>>>>>> was to
>>>>>>>> switch
>>>>>>>> to a
>>>>>>>> supply
>>>>>>>> side
>>>>>>>> interconnection
>>>>>>>> with a
>>>>>>>> fusible
>>>>>>>> disconnect.
>>>>>>>> Maybe
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> intermittent
>>>>>>>> fault
>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>> blow
>>>>>>>> one of
>>>>>>>> the two
>>>>>>>> line
>>>>>>>> fuses
>>>>>>>> so at
>>>>>>>> least I
>>>>>>>> could
>>>>>>>> narrow
>>>>>>>> it down
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> which
>>>>>>>> line
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> fault
>>>>>>>> is on
>>>>>>>> if
>>>>>>>> there
>>>>>>>> is in
>>>>>>>> fact a
>>>>>>>> fault.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I have
>>>>>>>> experienced
>>>>>>>> two
>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>> tripping
>>>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>>>> issues
>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>> Enphase
>>>>>>>> systems
>>>>>>>> in the
>>>>>>>> past.
>>>>>>>> Neither
>>>>>>>> of them
>>>>>>>> were
>>>>>>>> systems
>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>> installed.
>>>>>>>> One
>>>>>>>> turned
>>>>>>>> out to
>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>> branch
>>>>>>>> circuits
>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>> were
>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>> properly
>>>>>>>> paired
>>>>>>>> up and
>>>>>>>> landed
>>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>>> different
>>>>>>>> breakers.
>>>>>>>> Another
>>>>>>>> time we
>>>>>>>> had an
>>>>>>>> inverter
>>>>>>>> with an
>>>>>>>> internal
>>>>>>>> fault
>>>>>>>> which
>>>>>>>> eventually"blew
>>>>>>>> up"
>>>>>>>> with a
>>>>>>>> loud
>>>>>>>> popping
>>>>>>>> noise
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> smoke
>>>>>>>> billowing
>>>>>>>> out of
>>>>>>>> it.
>>>>>>>> That
>>>>>>>> happened
>>>>>>>> after
>>>>>>>> resetting
>>>>>>>> a trip
>>>>>>>> breaker
>>>>>>>> multiple
>>>>>>>> times.
>>>>>>>> This
>>>>>>>> case
>>>>>>>> seems
>>>>>>>> to be
>>>>>>>> unrelated
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> those
>>>>>>>> issues.
>>>>>>>> I'm
>>>>>>>> perplexed.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Jason
>>>>>>>> Szumlanski
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Florida
>>>>>>>> Solar
>>>>>>>> Design
>>>>>>>> Group
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>
>>>>
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