[RE-wrenches] SMA arc faults

Fri Dec 24 11:57:32 EST 2021

Bill - the AFCI circuitry is only looking at the DC inputs from the array.  While certainly possible for external strong EMF source to "impart" a signal on the DC conductors that triggers the AFCI circuitry, hopefully this is a low probability occurrence.

Best regards -
Mike

Michael Mahon
Senior Technical Trainer, Solar Academy
SMA America
3925 Atherton Rd
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From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of frenergy
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2021 10:56 PM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA arc faults

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

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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
3925 Atherton Rd
Rocklin, CA 95765
Mobile:   +1 916 918 9412
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From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org><mailto: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><mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto: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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