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
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
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*From:* RE-wrenches <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>
*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
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