Faults on new system just installed lastweek

[andyemms]

Forgot to add, as has been said, the strings would each have to be on there own MPP tracker but this would not bring up the 'Grid disturbance error'.

 

[edexlab]

You're probably on a TNCS system which means that the installer probably should have installed an earth rod. This WON'T be the reason why your system is playing up and your installer could probably give a pretty good reason why he hasn't used one. The earth rod/no earth rod debate is still going on and I wouldn't criticise the installer for not installing one.

I still don't understand why some still see it as a debate ,the DTI GUIDE ,BS7671 and manufacturers instructions all say install an earth rod /earth to MET in non pme systems , failure to do so would result in a non compliant system

so in my view its simple on a transformerless inverter earth the array

next time you do a TL install put the end of the earth wire from the array in a connector turn system on and measure between earth wire and rod and you'll probably see >50v on the meter (usually seems to be around >100v) this should make it obvious as to why it is required

ps don't forget to connect it to the rod afterwards

 

[edexlab]

If the inverter has been on for more than 10 hours of feed in time it will be set now and require a grid guard code from SMA oliceman:

but I dont think this will cause tripping it must be the wiring on the A.C , if you have a 4KW system then the strings should

be 10 & 6 one in port A and other in port B .oliceman:

that depends on the current from the strings ,some panels can be done as two strings of 8 into one input as long as combined current is max 15 Amps

 

[PeteFT]

I had a Sunny Boy 4000tl installed last week and I have a Sunny Beam. I am getting up to 20 error records in the ERROROBJ.csv file, but cannot find out what the codes mean. I also get zero Power showing on the Sunny Beam display, usually when there is bright sun, so I am missing out on FIT. No response from the installer yet, but will keep this thread informed.

 

[Graeme Harrold]

I had a Sunny Boy 4000tl installed last week and I have a Sunny Beam. I am getting up to 20 error records in the ERROROBJ.csv file, but cannot find out what the codes mean. I also get zero Power showing on the Sunny Beam display, usually when there is bright sun, so I am missing out on FIT. No response from the installer yet, but will keep this thread informed.

Have you done a restart on the system, full power off and back on again..Watch the inverter screen and take note of any start up messages, and make sure both strings are producing as it will switch between A & B with DC and AC values.

 

[PeteFT]

Have you done a restart on the system, full power off and back on again..Watch the inverter screen and take note of any start up messages, and make sure both strings are producing as it will switch between A & B with DC and AC values.

I have done a restart and there were no error messages. I have 3 strings (eack of 7 panels) as per SMA web site.

 

[northernsun]

I had a similar problem with a 4000tl that was installed and I went out to fault find on. It had similar problems to those mentioned.
When the sun was at its peak the system did not want to play, but worked fine after 4 o'clock and before 11.30.
The first thing that I noticed was that the AC cable was 2.5mm. Whilst this is fine for a 16a radial circuit it is not right for this system. Yes, the electrician may think its right and have good reasons but this is a PV system not a heater and different rules apply. 6mm minimum!! Surely shouldbe on a 16a breaker too?
This was the first problem and was easily adressed.
The second, and something I have this place to thank for (the solution, not the problem!) was that the inverter was not set to G83. When commisioning the system the inverter should display the g83 notice on start up, if it does'nt it may not be set for the correct country. If it has been running for a while it may need a reset. The settings come at 0 and 0 and should be factory set for the country- uk, but sometimes are not. The settings for the UK are 5 and 8 on the dials A and B inside the inverter.
This sorted the problem out straight away.

 

[Richchad]

I had a similar problem with a 4000tl that was installed and I went out to fault find on. It had similar problems to those mentioned.
When the sun was at its peak the system did not want to play, but worked fine after 4 o'clock and before 11.30.
The first thing that I noticed was that the AC cable was 2.5mm. Whilst this is fine for a 16a radial circuit it is not right for this system. Yes, the electrician may think its right and have good reasons but this is a PV system not a heater and different rules apply. 6mm minimum!! Surely shouldbe on a 16a breaker too?
This was the first problem and was easily adressed.
The second, and something I have this place to thank for (the solution, not the problem!) was that the inverter was not set to G83. When commisioning the system the inverter should display the g83 notice on start up, if it does'nt it may not be set for the correct country. If it has been running for a while it may need a reset. The settings come at 0 and 0 and should be factory set for the country- uk, but sometimes are not. The settings for the UK are 5 and 8 on the dials A and B inside the inverter.
This sorted the problem out straight away.

I am still waiting for my electrician to come back, the latest I heard was that he has to "calibrate" the SB4000TL-20 inverter as grid voltage may be too high or maybe low??
and was waiting for a Grid Guard code from SMA.

He assured me the 2.5mm cable is adequate for the system but I do have doubts, the cable was quite warm today when system was near max power, and now I am also wondering if he has set the country dials...

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of faith in him, especially when he said it is all fairly new technology and all we electricians are still learning..but I guess looking at this forum there is some truth in that..........

I am reluctant to open the inverter to check the dials, or maybe I may have to, is there another way to check either via Sunny Explorer or by turning off the AC power switch and DC switches at the inverter location, what should I see when powering on?

 

[dansk]

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of faith in him, especially when he said it is all fairly new technology and all we electricians are still learning..but I guess looking at this forum there is some truth in that..........
QUOTE]

Sure some of us are still learning PV - but were not learning how to size cables! - Sorry i cant help with the SMA.

 

[northernsun]

when the system re-initialises after you have turned off the dc and ac isolators it should say G83 as it is starting up. This is fairly easy to check as long as the inverter isnt tucked away in the loft! Taking the cover off is not too difficult, just an alan key but check for the g83 notice first. Yes it is new tech and we are all learning but cable sizes?
Have a look at the start up menu and write down what you see.

 

[MorganPVI]

Richard,
The sunny 4000tl should be UK set up by factory, the dial will be at 0,0 since it was a software set-up. However the unit could be grey import and therefore not set. As 10 hours have passed you will need a grid guard code to make any changes.

The installation manual clear states 6mm cable is to be used, (recommended). to have the inverter on 2.5mm is asking for trouble and it not suprising there are faults galore, I doubt your electrian is able to "calibrate" the sunny without a grid guard code and even if he did change the parameters of the G83 setting then he would need DNO approval.

You can check your commisioning pack or ask your installer for a copy of the factory test results that come with the inverter, this document will have the serial number and what country code the inverter is set for - should be G83.

 

[Graeme Harrold]

He assured me the 2.5mm cable is adequate for the system but I do have doubts, the cable was quite warm today when system was near max power, and now I am also wondering if he has set the country dials...

Page 26 of the installation manual would be a good place for your electrician to start (he should have read the whole thing given the promenance of "manufacturers instructions").

If you want a copy to show a copy, download from SMA, look at the download tab and select the language to English....

This amazing booklet will also show him the connectors, country settings and comms settings................

 

[Richchad]

when the system re-initialises after you have turned off the dc and ac isolators it should say G83 as it is starting up. This is fairly easy to check as long as the inverter isnt tucked away in the loft! Taking the cover off is not too difficult, just an alan key but check for the g83 notice first. Yes it is new tech and we are all learning but cable sizes?
Have a look at the start up menu and write down what you see.

Unfortunately the inverter is in the loft, I tried the power down and up again, no sign of G83 in starting up, it flashes through messages rather quick so difficult to follow...

Tried to remove cover after switching everything off, but hadn't taken into account the solar switch operation, have just now read manual and see it has to be pulled down first, I am a bit reluctant to mess with it as electrician is supposed to be coming back this week, so have opted to ask tactfully if the right settings have been made.

With regard to cable size I have sent a copy of the relevant page to my installer stating that it says 6mm minimum, to which they relayed to the electrician and he was still adamant the 2.5mm cable is fine and he has had other installations approved.... not sure how I go from here, guess if I wait until he has done whatever he is going to do, then if faults persist he may realise cable is causing some resistance which could give grid faults.

It is difficult as I don't want to fall out with my installer or the electrician as I might need them while warranties are valid.............

 

[northernsun]

A difficult situation. Yes you're probably right to leave the inverter alone, especially if they are coming back to look- to be honest "recalibration" sounds a lot like they may be coming back to switch the dials to the g83 setting.
As far as the cable size goes. 16a on a 2.5mm cable is fine- but as an elctrical installation, not as a pv one. firstly you want to minimize any voltage drop and the cables used in pv are often oversized for this reason (this is not a standard 16a radial circuit) and secondly because it is what the manufacturer requires. I presume it is a difficult cable run if they are digging their heels in.
I think from the sounds of it changing the settings on the inverter to the correct ones will sort out the problem but the cable issue does need to be addressed.

 

[SolarCity]

It's a poor show on the part of the installer to refuse to upgrade the size of the cable to the correct dimensions. As the customer you shouldn't need to prompt him to do his job correctly.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if you continue to have issues while the 2.5mm cable is still being used - volt drop looks like the more likely culprit in this instance in my opinion.