I have usually done the same setup as Kirk - but I have used the Potter Brumfield "PRD" style relay - which are available from Grainger under the "Dayton" brand name (of course). These provide a "visual break" which is nice to be able to check when doing testing etc.
I like using the AC coil together with a DC coil signal relay as it allows some nice options for redundancy and fail-safe design. These are large, heavy duty, open frame 30 amp 2 pole with normally closed and normally open contacts and available with 12vdc, 24vdc, 120vac or 240vac coils. Grainger even has one now with an auxiliary switch included - which could be used to send a signal or turn on a light to alert the system user that there is an outage. Relays: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/catalogPDF.shtml NEMA 1 Type Relay Enclosure: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1EGH7 I hope this helps! Christopher Christopher Freitas Director of Research and Development OutBack Power Systems, Inc. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Tel 360 435 6030 Cell 360 202 4239 19009 62nd Ave NE Arlington WA 98223 USA www.outbackpower.com <http://www.outbackpower.com/> ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Kirk Herander, VSE Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 11:05 AM To: [email protected]; 'RE-wrenches' Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC coupled relay I have done it with a SQD 60a, 240 vac contactor. The coil is 120 vac. It is driven by a secondary 12vdc relay sending 120 ac to the coil. The coil of the dc relay is driven by the 12 vdc auxiliary output of the Outback FX inverter. I use the contactor and dc relay normally closed contacts. They open when the inverter energizes the dc relay. Kirk Herander Vermont Solar Engineering 802.863.1202 NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar Installer NYSERDA-eligible Installer VT Solar Incentive Program Partner ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jeff Yago Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 9:35 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC coupled relay What specific supplier, model number, and brand relay have you found to be perfect to isolate the inverter AC output to the sub-panel of a battery-based inverter in an AC coupled system? This will be in the 20 to 30 amp 240 VAC contact range. Also, do you normally set it up as N.C. or N.O. for fail-safe reasons? Coil voltage 12 vdc or 120 vac? Thanks, Jeff Yago ________________________________ Netscape. Just the Net You Need. MESSAGE CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communication Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. sections 2510-2521, is confidential, and may also be protected by attorney-client or other privilege. If you believe that it has been sent to you in error, please do not read it. If you are not the intended recipient,you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, then delete it. Thank you.
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