Mike, So if I understand you correctly, the newer SB inverters no longer need a manual restart when an arc fault is detected? There is one system where I've seen some arc fault messages, but I assumed it was not a real fault, since the inverter does not shut off.
Also, this is only piece of data and is from circa 2016, but the one time I have seen an arc fault actually due to the field wiring in a system, it was a loose connector going into one of the AC terminals on a TL-22 inverter. Cheers, Dave On Fri, Dec 24, 2021 at 11:57 AM Harry Mahon <michael.ma...@sma-america.com> wrote: > 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 > > Rocklin, CA 95765 > Mobile: +1 916 918 9412 > * www.SMA-America.com > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sma-america.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7CMichael.Mahon%40sma-america.com%7C7c37bb11c19143be244508d8c4708123%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C0%7C637475334767665428%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Y%2FbXqYrd%2FX9hYC3%2BKsO%2Fn15XWX%2BoatBsL0IwlBOMjBA%3D&reserved=0>* > > Solar Academy website > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsolaracademy.sma.de%2Fen.html&data=04%7C01%7CMichael.Mahon%40sma-america.com%7C7c37bb11c19143be244508d8c4708123%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C0%7C637475334767675424%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=rEzoRJ8HjvBTPJKWI9zqi7e0VkiuRyd9FQalgtOLrdI%3D&reserved=0> > > Upcoming SMA America Solar Academy webinars: English > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsolaracademy.sma.de%2Fen%2Fcourses.html%3Ffilter%255b1%255d%3DEnglish%26filter%255b2%255d%3DUnited%2520States&data=04%7C01%7CMichael.Mahon%40sma-america.com%7C7c37bb11c19143be244508d8c4708123%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C0%7C637475334767685417%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=qwU%2FexGKNX4XJrvnBi6D5ijuK0qarJyghtBVWKQH2iE%3D&reserved=0> > and Spanish > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsolaracademy.sma.de%2Fen%2Fcourses.html%3Ffilter%255b1%255d%3DSpanish%26filter%255b2%255d%3DUnited%2520States&data=04%7C01%7CMichael.Mahon%40sma-america.com%7C7c37bb11c19143be244508d8c4708123%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C0%7C637475334767685417%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=kjV6E58mxunLvJr2%2BTPS6fSd%2BQlPZm8WqQIbtIeGOGI%3D&reserved=0> > > > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smainverted.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7CMichael.Mahon%40sma-america.com%7C90309a1470fd4699686008d9514294c8%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C0%7C637630168696828295%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2BX8GAkfFNXxAxM565oOXOcNt3DnrrE7RzPccsQM2pzs%3D&reserved=0> > [image: Linkedin Logo] > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2F364675&data=04%7C01%7CMichael.Mahon%40sma-america.com%7C90309a1470fd4699686008d9514294c8%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C0%7C637630168696838290%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ywOykswEt%2FvRYn7N7JQ5510g0r7Avp%2FKlBVxcpy9NlY%3D&reserved=0> > > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fplaylist%3Flist%3DPL840A5336CAC32332&data=04%7C01%7CMichael.Mahon%40sma-america.com%7C90309a1470fd4699686008d9514294c8%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C0%7C637630168696848287%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=z2mRFQr9f4oVyMhg0Bh02ooRf6UwOH3HET%2FczH2Upko%3D&reserved=0> > > > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sma-america.com%2Fproducts%2Fsolarinverters%2Fsunny-tripower-core1.html&data=04%7C01%7CMichael.Mahon%40sma-america.com%7C5f007108a00e43df339c08d960e09263%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C0%7C637647339929371775%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=XwGLoE6vArFYoS2k5mFqhce6i7tzgKt%2Fp7VE512c0z8%3D&reserved=0> > > This email and any attachments thereto may contain SMA America, LLC > confidential, privileged and private material for the sole use of the > intended recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this email (or > any attachments thereto) by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not > the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and > permanently delete the original and any copies of this email and any > attachments thereto. Thank you. > > > > *From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> *On > Behalf Of *frenergy > *Sent:* Thursday, December 23, 2021 10:56 PM > *To:* re-wrenches@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 > > www.frenergy.net > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.frenergy.net%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458242800%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=KMvXWMrWCcY62K9N%2FbblHM4l0AZs5l60Xx2uewQw8Kk%3D&reserved=0> > > 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 > * www.SMA-America.com > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sma-america.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458252795%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Uo9N%2FiqCMLM6v0X13uIusrQk8XiyN98wbOMLXdl0O9A%3D&reserved=0>* > > Solar Academy website > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsolaracademy.sma.de%2Fen.html&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458252795%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=EHgZikX5Yo7VtHvY31yu3%2FIBLrpchaRFTvW7n50cBUU%3D&reserved=0> > > Upcoming SMA America Solar Academy webinars: English > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsolaracademy.sma.de%2Fen%2Fcourses.html%3Ffilter%255b1%255d%3DEnglish%26filter%255b2%255d%3DUnited%2520States&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458262789%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=fv%2FjkPCCTxftXVU844U4utIZHzVakLRB9HneSebYXqc%3D&reserved=0> > and Spanish > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsolaracademy.sma.de%2Fen%2Fcourses.html%3Ffilter%255b1%255d%3DSpanish%26filter%255b2%255d%3DUnited%2520States&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458272784%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=tPJUXzlQ4G%2BP%2FOZhGKDNVIDO0ce%2BgLhS2YmZzwDSxSo%3D&reserved=0> > > > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smainverted.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458272784%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=0bdMelXfWS51UqangQ%2FHdp%2FCi%2FS00D6NfltoQ9%2F8OnM%3D&reserved=0> > [image: Linkedin Logo] > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2F364675&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458282776%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=3MilECv4JLAMH%2BMunjxDp7a6Am%2FYrbC60QCWZ26XFVU%3D&reserved=0> > > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fplaylist%3Flist%3DPL840A5336CAC32332&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458282776%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=3O72V7qoTvY8HZ3v0NJFJisZ8nI4Oz2Cd3ja8w89yDo%3D&reserved=0> > > > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sma-america.com%2Fproducts%2Fsolarinverters%2Fsunny-tripower-core1.html&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458292776%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=rzT09SNKVs10m75zjHMzOzEjNZAtP4JTPjuVRsU7wNw%3D&reserved=0> > > This email and any attachments thereto may contain SMA America, LLC > confidential, privileged and private material for the sole use of the > intended recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this email (or > any attachments thereto) by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not > the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and > permanently delete the original and any copies of this email and any > attachments thereto. Thank you. > > > > *From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> > <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> *On Behalf Of *Dave Tedeyan > *Sent:* Saturday, December 18, 2021 6:28 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > <re-wrenches@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 < > ja...@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 <jerrysgarag...@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 > > > > > > > > > > > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.avast.com%2Fsig-email%3Futm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dlink%26utm_campaign%3Dsig-email%26utm_content%3Demailclient%26utm_term%3Dicon&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458292776%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=kSjodRX8nqjX7a0ffN83lpe%2FN5EEU97vIefjmMRr7Ew%3D&reserved=0> > > Virus-free. www.avast.com > <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.avast.com%2Fsig-email%3Futm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dlink%26utm_campaign%3Dsig-email%26utm_content%3Demailclient%26utm_term%3Dlink&data=04%7C01%7Cmichael.mahon%40sma-america.com%7C8f44865f11fd477f872508d9c6a18ead%7Ca059b96c28294d1188374cc1ff84735d%7C0%7C1%7C637759219458302766%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=j49e%2FA3MueMhXPq0Qvvp%2F%2F78OXiepLmYlqZhaMdipBg%3D&reserved=0> > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org > > -- [image: Logo] <https://www.sungineersolar.com/> Dave Tedeyan, P.E. Owner | Sungineer Solar p: he | him | his a: 1653 Slaterville Rd. | Ithaca, NY 14850 w: www.sungineersolar.com <http://www.sungineersolar.com/> c: (607) 288-2898
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