It could easily be a nuisance trip rather than
any problem. For sure, you want to check
for possible problems. Big metal roofs are prone
to nuisance tripping of the SMA AFCIs. I've been through this.
At 09:35 PM 7/23/2016, you wrote:
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0001_01D1E52A.1853FE80"
Content-Language: en-us
Hi Jerry,
It passes the initial power up tests fine, and
fails at almost the same time of day when it
faults with a 4301 Electric Arc Detected. Not
usually the next day, often it will be fine for a week or so.
According to the web box, the inverter has the latest available firmware.
I am hoping it is a failure at a splice in a
rooftop jbox (all are exposed on the ridge).
I went there last week, but the customer office
manager decided she wanted a written safety plan
before she was comfortable letting me climb on
the roof, so I am cogitating on that.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Glenn
From: Jerry Shafer [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 11:05 PM
To: RE-wrenches; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
Question, is it the first test where it is
checking for noise in the system or is it
finding a fault once it is running. Does it have
the latest software update, which code do you
have test failure or arc failt detected, way
different trouble shooting tracks yo follow. If
it is a test fail try to remove just the ground
wire from the array, because its a metal roof
its a big antenna and hears something that is to
much for the test to deal with. If it fails due
to an arc then there is most likely an arc at a connection.
Jerry
On Jul 22, 2016 3:37 PM, "Glenn Burt"
<<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]> wrote:
August,
I am currently chasing down unexplained AFCI
faults with old SX 160 modules on a metal roof
and having replaced two SMA SWR-2500Uâs with a
SB 5000TL-US-22. So far I have been swapping
input strings to see if there is a pattern, however no joy.
Next visit is up on the roof (steep pitch) to
see if there is anything obvious.
I hate to simply disable the AFCI functionality
without a serious effort, however I am approaching that point.
It is a T&M job for a system installed by others
back in 2004, about an hour trip 1 way and I am
afraid the customer will soon believe I am stringing out the work.
Looking forward to hearing more of your experience as it develops!
-Glenn
From: RE-wrenches
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of August Goers
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 10:23 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
Glen,
Itâs interesting you mention that youâre
having AFCI issues with new TL inverters and old
modules. We are too. We have a particular system
with BP modules where weâre trying to figure
out if we have a warranty claim situation.
Weâve cleaned up all the DC-side wiring and
still the Sunny Boy is tripping with AFCI
errors. We think it is either corroded traces in
the modules or perhaps bypass diode issues in the module j-boxes. More to come.
August
From: RE-wrenches
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Glenn Burt
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 5:08 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
If you read some of the proposed changes for the
2017 NEC, it is looking life there will be no
problem replacing isolated inverters with
non-isolated versions. In fact the proposed
wording seems to allow either USE, or PV wire to
be used with non-isolated inverters explicitly going forward.
It made me feel better about doing recent replacements.
I'm having more trouble with the TL inverters
and AFCI issues on older systems, however.
----------
From: <mailto:[email protected]>Gary at Santa Ynez Valley Solar
Sent: â7/â21/â2016 21:43
To:
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Replacing grounded inverters
We are all facing having to replace the old
transformer based inverters when they run out.
Really difficult to find replacements. Against
code to replace with transformer less ones. I
wonder if a DC/DC transformer could be installed
just ahead of the transformer less inverter for
isolation purposes? Not clear on the concept.
Gary
Gary Gordon
<http://www.syvsolar.com/>www.SYVSolar.com
PO Box 688
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
<tel:805%20688-1213>805 688-1213
NABCEP Certified Installer
CA Licensed Solar Contractor
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