Dave, We have seen false arc-faults on numerous SMA installs. I have at least two where we have spent longer troubleshooting than installing the array (basically removed and re-installed all components). SMA is very little help and ultimately encourages us to deactivate the arc-fault feature, against code requirements. In one instance we were able to talk SMA into upgrading a -22 unit to their new -US unit. That hasn't been installed long but no issues yet.
Our arrays with older Tigo optimizers and newer SMAs are entirely hopeless. Tigo has just advised us to use -22 SMAs only. If the arc fault is intermittent don't be afraid to conclude the problem is the inverter, not your install. Good luck. Matt On Thu, November 10, 2016 1:14 pm, Dave Tedeyan wrote: > Hi All, > > > Maybe someone will have some ideas for why a couple inverters keep arc > faulting: > > > -There are two SB7000TL-22 inverters, Sunpower branded. > -3 Strings of 7 SPR-327's to each inverter. Kept separate until the > inverter. -Ground mount about 50' from the shed where the inverters are > located (indoors) > -Simple grid connected system, no batteries. > -There is a whole house generator co-located in the shed. > -We interconnect by using piercing taps on the line side of the generator > transfer switch -There has been only one power outage there since the > system was installed in April, but the generator fires up weekly. > > -The arc faults have been happening on both inverters. Sometimes only one > at a time, sometimes both will go within a day of each other. -The events > have been approximately one a month, but sometimes more, sometimes less. > > -We have already checked every single connection in the system twice, by > two different people. -We have replaced the underground wires (and they > looked just fine) -We have replaced all home runs. > -We have replaced both inverters. > -Arc faults are still happening. > -Arc faults are not always on the same day/time of the week. > > > I am wondering if this can be caused by the generator? > Has anyone run into a situation like this or something similar? > > > Thanks for your help, > Dave > > > *--* > > > > *Dave Tedeyan* > *Project Engineer* > > > *Taitem Engineering, PC* > 109 S. Albany Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 > Voice: (607) 277-1118 x121 > www.taitem.com _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > > 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 > > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.ht > ml > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > Matthew Partymiller Solar Energy Solutions LLC (877) 312-7456 m...@solar-energy-solutions.com _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance 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 List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
