[RE-wrenches] SMA arc faults

Fri Dec 24 00:56:11 EST 2021

Mike,

             If I understand SMA's AFCI detection system right, it 
detects arc on the AC and DC side of the inverter. If correct, and from 
my "AFCI reset" experiences, it seems to also trip with some area 
lighting strikes.  It would certainly be helpful in finding the issue to 
know at least if it was a DC side or AC side event.

Bill

Feather River Solar Electric
Bill Battagin, Owner
4291 Nelson St.
Taylorsville, CA 95983
530.284.7849
CA Lic 874049
www.frenergy.net

On 12/23/2021 11:55 AM, Harry Mahon wrote:
>
> Mac & Wrenches -
>
> SMA has endeavored to continuously improve the reliability and 
> accuracy of our AFCI detection, and it is heartening to see the 
> comments in this thread.  Recent FW update provides the option of 
> enabling automatic restarting from AFCI in the CORE1 US-41 product.  
> The Sunny Boy US-41 line with most recent FW will have automatic 
> restarts enabled. The source of multiple events should be investigated 
> thoroughly. Registering SMA systems to the ennexOS Sunny Portal allows 
> for remote parameter updates as well as automatic FW updates. In 
> addition, event reports can be configured so those who should know are 
> notified if AFCI events are logged.
>
> Best regards –
>
> Mike
>
>
> Michael Mahon
> Senior Technical Trainer, Solar Academy
> *SMA America*
>
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> *From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> *On 
> Behalf Of *Dave Tedeyan
> *Sent:* Saturday, December 18, 2021 6:28 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA arc faults
>
> Hi Mac,
>
> Might I ask what modules these are connected to? There is some history 
> here with Sunpower modules (and possibly other high power, high 
> voltage modules). In these cases the issue is the module. If that's 
> the case I can provide some more detail about it.
>
> As for remote resetting, it is actually possible. Although it takes 
> some networking knowhow that I am not savvy enough to tell you the 
> specifics. I believe it is possible to remotely access the inverter 
> through some kind of port forwarding. So you can always reset the 
> inverter by physically being there and doing the right power cycle and 
> taps (depending on the inverter model), but you can also reset the arc 
> fault through the computer (or smart phone) inverter interface.
>
> There is also one other thing you can try if there is no shading. At 
> least with the Sunpower module issue, the inverter would always trip 
> when it does an MPPT sweep. With the optitrac global peak that the sma 
> inverters use, they do a full MPPT sweep every 6 to 30 minutes. You 
> can turn this off, and sometimes that will stop the arc faults. But 
> that also means that partial shading can take out a whole string, 
> rather than just a modules worth of voltage.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Dave
>
> On Sat, Dec 18, 2021, 4:15 PM Jason Szumlanski 
> <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com> wrote:
>
>     I haven't seen many, but every one I've seen has been a melted MC4
>     connector.
>
>     Jason Szumlanski
>
>     Florida Solar Design Group
>
>     On Sat, Dec 18, 2021, 3:21 PM Jerry Shafer
>     <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>         Over the years every SMA arcfault has been real, l am also not
>         saying hazard, well, AC, welding, all creat Arc noise in the
>         system and it can be from a normal contactor arc. I have also
>         seen AM arc faults caused by defective or knock off MC
>         connectors, in adequately stripped wires that result in the
>         screw down connection on the insulator causing arc in the
>         connector.
>
>         Jerry
>
>         NABCEP PV Inspestor
>
>

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