Adjusting SMA SB4000TL parameters

[BruceB]

Applied for 4kW PV to Western Power for a location at the end of the line in the sticks on a small transformer with 3 houses on it. They took a week to reply (which is not bad) but the answer was no way at 4kW, way outside what the network will take. Rough cost estimate to reinforce network was £3K to £5K to recable using ABC, possibly with transformer change as well. But I can connect at 3.7kW (16A) no problem! In engineering terms it is difficult to see how 4kW is impossible but 3.7kW is OK, particularly as I measured the voltage there today as 251V, which at 16A would be just over 4kW!

On a related point I feel SMA is missing a gap in the market here for an inverter at 3.7kW limited to 16A output. Power one do a twin mppt transformerless (Aurora) at 3.6kW size. With a bit of firmware adjustment the SMA 4000TL could sit there nicely. The advantage of SMA is that it has bluetooth.

Does anyone know whether the parameters of the 4000TL can be adjusted with an installer password to bring it within the 16A limit?

Regards
Bruce

 

[Worcester]

SMA are aware that they have a gap in their offering, they have been working on a SB4000TL/V-20 which would be rated at 3.68kW (no date yet) same as the SMA SB3800V also no date yet, the SB4000TL/V-20 is likely to appear first (note the 'V')

The Diehl AKO 4300S meets the 3.68K so does the Fronius IG TL 3.6

I know this doesn't answer your question directly, so would be interested to hear from others if they've solved it another way.

 

[Worcester]

It this was available:View attachment SB5000TL-DEN110731W.pdf Job done (It's not yet )

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Give me a couple of days as Ive just got my Grid Guard code as I have to adjust a couple of bits on my own SB4000TL as Scottish Power have authorised my install (3.92KW) under G83, however I must adjust the over frequency limits. While in I will have a look at what can be adjusted.

Inverter shoould be up and running over the weekend.

 

[BruceB]

Not sure why the DNOs have to 'acknowledge' a /V version of a 4000TL. They do not test the inverters. If the manufacturer declares it at a certain power and we as installers declare that same power on the post commissioning paperwork then the deal should be done - why would a DNO even question it?

 

[mmorse60]

Does anyone know if the g59/2 is a setting on the currently available SMA tl series or do we have to buy a g59/2 version

 

[BruceB]

Ken, I appreciate your points about the 4000TL/V. I emailed back WP just now to say is 4000TL/V acceptable in the situation I described in my original post and sent the data sheet. They sent a reply by return (yes, on a Saturday) saying "...[FONT=&quot]if your inverter is limited to an output of 16 amps it is wholly acceptable."[/FONT]
which of course does not answer the question directly and puts it back on me. At nominal voltage (230V) the 4000TL/V inverter is limited to 16A provided the inverter liimits itself to 3680W. But if the grid voltage dropped low then I guess from the spec that the current could go up.

I suppose if I put suitable numbers on the Appendix 3 commissioning paperwork it will all be OK. This should not all be so difficult! I'll pay a visit back to a previous installation I have done with a 4000TL and see whether the parameter Inverter.OutWMax (which someone elsewhere has brought to my attention) can be adjusted.

Regards
Bruce

 

[BruceB]

Well, some good news I think. I went back to a SB4000TL I installed a couple of weeks ago to see whether I could restrict its output. It appears to be trivial - log on as an installer, then change the value "Currently set active power limit". On the screenshot below I have set it to 3680W. That would keep it to 16A at nominal voltage. I used my installer password rather than one issued by SMA. I'll give SMA a call next week to check that is all I need to do.
Regards
Bruce

 

[alarmstead]

I've just been given approval in principle to a 3.99kWp system provided that the upper frequency limit of the protection relay is set to 51.5Hz the Inverter in question is the Fronius IGTL 4.0 has anyone got any ideas on how to do this?

 

[access_renew]

Guys,

For future installs you may wish to consider the Eltek Valere 3800 S which is limited at 16A - and thus is often a good choice for over 3.68kw installs on a single phase.

All available on stock from our warehouse here - drop us a line if you need any help.

Sean