Inverter installation where there is an on site generator and changeover switch?

[Morgan keith]

Hi.

Doing an install where there is an on site generator and changeover switch. There is a Henley block between the main incoming main switch and the changeover switch and another on the other side between the changeover switch and sub circuits. So should I connect it to the 1st one so that it's totally seperate from the generator or will it not matter. Could damage be done to generator or would the inverters not start up because of the sine-waves etc the generator would produce?

Thanks in advance

 

[sharpener]

In an ideal world the solar power would supplement the output of the generator, and the generator would supply a nice 50Hz 230V sine wave which would allow the inverter to start up and operate properly (like the SMA Sunny Backup does).

In the real world the generator might not have a low enough output impedance for this to work, or the output might have voltage spikes on it big enough to damage the inverter. Or there might be problems with the generator's voltage regulator or the earthing or overload protection arrangements.

So unless you can get enough information from the generator manufacturer to satisfy the inverter mfr that it will work (and vice versa) and get their assurance in writing that the warranties are still going to be valid you would be better off connecting in to the first Henley block so the inverter can't ever be connected to the generator.

 

[Morgan keith]

Thanks for that mate. That was the option I went for as I thought it would be the safer option and figured without anything being able to be exported, the generation meter won't be doing too much other than registering what's consumed on site