Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA arc faults
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 On Sat, Dec 18, 2021, 6:07 AM Mac Lewis wrote: > Hi Wrenches, > > I have spent this last week clearing arc faults on SMA inverters. There > never appears to be a true arc event, just the occasional event and then > lockout. > > What is the best approach to fix these tripping inverter issues? Is there > a way to decrease the sensitivity? Any procedures that are effective at > keeping this from happening? All connections are good and tight and triple > checked. Anyway to remotely clear these faults? > > Thanks > > -- > > > > Mac Lewis > > *"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates* > ___ > 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 > > ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA arc faults
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 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 > > On Sat, Dec 18, 2021, 6:07 AM Mac Lewis wrote: > >> Hi Wrenches, >> >> I have spent this last week clearing arc faults on SMA inverters. There >> never appears to be a true arc event, just the occasional event and then >> lockout. >> >> What is the best approach to fix these tripping inverter issues? Is >> there a way to decrease the sensitivity? Any procedures that are effective >> at keeping this from happening? All connections are good and tight and >> triple checked. Anyway to remotely clear these faults? >> >> Thanks >> >> -- >> >> >> >> Mac Lewis >> >> *"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates* >> ___ >> 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 >> >> ___ > 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 > > ___ 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
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 > 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 >> >> On Sat, Dec 18, 2021, 6:07 AM Mac Lewis wrote: >> >>> Hi Wrenches, >>> >>> I have spent this last week clearing arc faults on SMA inverters. There >>> never appears to be a true arc event, just the occasional event and then >>> lockout. >>> >>> What is the best approach to fix these tripping inverter issues? Is >>> there a way to decrease the sensitivity? Any procedures that are effective >>> at keeping this from happening? All connections are good and tight and >>> triple checked. Anyway to remotely clear these faults? >>> >>> Thanks >>> >>> -- >>> >>> >>> >>> Mac Lewis >>> >>> *"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates* >>> ___ >>> 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 >>> >>> ___ >> 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 >> >> ___ > 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 > > ___ 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 ar
Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA arc faults
eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%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 *On Behalf Of *Dave Tedeyan *Sent:* Saturday, December 18, 2021 6:28 PM *To:* RE-wrenches *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 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 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 -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA arc faults
to 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 *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%7CTWFpb
