Grid Tied Residential Inverter Installation and Operations Manual Models 1100, 2000, 2800, and 3000 Contact Information PV Powered, Inc. 150 Scalehouse Loop #101 Bend, OR 97702 Phone: 541-312-3832 Fax: 541-383-2348 Toll Free: 877-312-3832 Email: support@pvpowered.
Table of Contents IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................. 4 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 5 2 INSTALLATION ......................................................................................... 5 2.1 Selecting a Location for the Inverter .................................................... 5 2.2 Mounting the Inverter ......................................................
7 7.1 RETURN PROCEDURE ...............................................................................28 Information about Your System .........................................................
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS This product has been engineered and manufactured to ensure your personal safety. Improper use may result in potential electrical shock or burns. Please read and follow all instructions for installation, use and servicing of this product. NOTE: A locking tab has been designed into the PV Powered Grid Tied Residential Inverter line. It is the sole responsibility of the end user to provide a locking mechanism that utilizes the tab, and secures the cover on the inverter.
1 INTRODUCTION The PV Powered Grid Tied Residential Inverter is a utility interactive inverter for photovoltaic (PV) systems. The inverter is tied to an electrical source provided by the local utility company as well as to the PV system. The inverter contains everything needed to convert the DC voltage generated by the PV arrays into the AC voltage required to power a house. This manual provides information necessary for the successful installation and use of the PV Powered Grid Tied Residential Inverter.
2.2.1 Mounting the Inverter 1. Locate the wall studs in the desired location and align the mounting bracket over the studs. Mark the mounting holes. Ensure that locations A and B (see Figure 1) are aligned over the wall studs. 2. VERIFY THE BRACKET IS LEVEL. Ensure points A and B are aligned with the wall studs. Drill 1/8” pilot holes for the screws. • Use heavy-duty 1/4" x 2” coarse thread lag screws to secure points A and B to the wall.
Figure 2: Inverter with mounting bracket in place NOTE: Leave the inverter cover off to allow for electrical connections described in Section 2.3. 2.3 Electrical Connections CAUTION: 1. The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that the inverter be connected to a dedicated circuit with no other outlets or devices connected to the same circuit. See NEC Section 690-64(b)(1). The NEC also places limitations on the size of the inverter and the manner in which it is connected to the utility grid.
2.3.1 Inverter Voltage and Frequency Limits The inverter is factory-calibrated to the voltage and frequency limits specified in Table 2.2. This adjustable range can be set by PV Powered field technicians. Condition Factory setting (VAC) or (Hz) Adjustable Range (VAC) Maximum trip time(s) Voltage phase high 132.0 132.0 - 142.0 < 1 second Voltage phase low 105.6 95.6 < 2 seconds Voltage phase fast high 144.0 144.0 - 156.0 < 160mS Voltage phase fast low 60.0 <60.
IMPORTANT: When mounting the inverter outside, use rain-tight or wetlocation conduit hubs that comply with the requirements in the Standard for Fittings for Conduit and Outlet Boxes, UL 514B. Terminal connections for the inverter are located inside the inverter on the circuit board at the bottom of the cabinet. The AC and DC terminals accept wires up to 6 AWG. CAUTION: The input and output circuits are isolated from the enclosure.
2.3.3 Grounding A single-point ground connection is located in the lower right-hand side of the inverter cabinet. This is where the PV array grounding wire is terminated. The AC ground connection is terminated next to the Line 1 and Line 2 connections on the circuit board. The PV ground connector is attached to the cabinet with a 10-32 bolt. This ground lug is provided to allow for the PV safety ground to be bonded to the cabinet. This is the only place the ground should be connected to the inverter.
2.3.4 GFI Circuit The purpose of the Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) circuit is to detect a ground fault (unintended current flow from the PV arrays to earth ground). • For the GFI circuit to function as designed, the PV array safety ground must be connected only at the ground terminals provided. • Bonding the safety ground to the grounded leg of the array anywhere but through the inverter will bypass the GFI circuit. This creates an unsafe operating condition.
2.3.5 Connecting the Inverter to the Electrical Grid Two circuit boards are located inside the Inverter: • The Control Board (at the top of the inverter). • The Power Distribution Board (at the bottom of the inverter) with the following terminals: • The AC connection terminal. • The DC connection terminal. • The internal Ground Fault Interrupt fuse. WARNING: Replace the GFI fuse with the same type and rating of fuse. The inverter uses only Littelfuse KLKD001 1A/600V.
Line 1 Line 2 AC Ground Figure 6: AC Wiring for the Line 1, Line 2, and Ground Wires WARNING: Before proceeding with the DC wiring, completely cover the surface of all PV panels with dark material to avoid the production of electrical current. WARNING: Make sure the polarity and the PV panel voltage between the positive and the negative cable connectors of the PV panels are correct before connecting the panels to the DC terminal block on the power distribution board.
Inverter Model Maximum inverter start voltage Absolute maximum input voltage PVP1100 450VDC 500VDC PVP2000 450VDC 500VDC PVP2800 450VDC 500VDC PVP3000 450VDC 500VDC Table 2.4: PV Open Circuit Voltages 2.3.5.1 Open Circuit Calculations The PV array open circuit voltage should be at or below 500 VDC under all circumstances. Each DC input to the DC terminal block must be less than 500 VDC. 2.3.5.2 DC Connections Each DC input connection must carry the same input voltage.
WARNING: Do not connect or disconnect the jumper while the inverter is supplied with DC or AC power. 7. Remove the 1 A fuse and select the negative or positive grounding jumper included with the inverter (see Figure 7). Negative ground jumper has a black wire Positive ground jumper has a red wire Figure 7 Grounding Jumpers 8. Install the grounding jumper with the white wire on the right into connector J3 on the power board (see Figure 8).
9. Confirm that the DC disconnect is turned OFF and remove the material from the array. 10. With a voltmeter, check the PV array positive leads in the DC disconnect and confirm that the voltage is positive when referenced to the negative leads. The reading should match your series Voc total. Measure the DC voltage potential between the two mounting clips (see Figure 8) for the 1 A fuse. 11. The voltage should be less than 25 volts absolute value.
3 OPERATION 3.1 Start-Up Procedures for the Inverter WARNING: Before turning ON the inverter, ensure that the front panel is closed properly. WARNING: The heat sink can reach temperatures in excess of 158ºF (70ºC). Do not touch the heat sink when in use, and do not place anything on top of the heat sink. To start up the inverter, complete the following steps in the order indicated: 1. Turn the AC breaker ON. 2. Verify that the RED LED light is illuminated. 3.
3. The inverter’s internal operational parameters, to ensure safe operating conditions exist within the operating environment. If all three conditions are met, the inverter displays the GREEN LED. If any one of the operating conditions are not met, there is a fault condition. The inverter will then flash the RED LED. A solid RED LED illuminates when the PV array voltage is not within safe operating limits.
3.2.2.1 Normal Display Cycle The display will change screens every two seconds to show a different set of information. Normal startup: 2000 Watt PV Start in 269 sec 0 Watts 3212 kWh 240 VAC 297 VDC Running: 2000 Watt PV Grid Tied Inv 1245 Watts 3212 kWh 241 VAC 255 VDC If a fault occurs, the display also provides a corresponding fault code. Refer to the Troubleshooting section of this manual. 4 TROUBLESHOOTING The inverter provides two indicator lights that help troubleshoot problems.
4.2 Displayed Fault Codes The vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) provides the following codes when a fault has occurred: Faulted: Fault 1000 0400 AC Voltage High 0 Watts 1400 kWh 267 VAC 300 VDC Starting up from a faulted state: 2000 Watt PV Start in 269 sec Fault 1000 0400 AC Voltage High 0 W 1400 kW-hr 240 VAC 300 VDC NOTE: In this case the fault refers to the last fault detected.
Fault 1200 0040 Power Low The above example shows a Power Low fault. After the fault occurrence, the inverter had a DC Voltage High fault. In this case, the display added the fault codes 0200 0000 plus 1000 0040 to become 1200 0040. If the faults have the same first digit – such as 1000 XXXX – the 1 remains the same and only the second block of four numbers will add to the original fault code. 4.2.
0100 0000 CPU Fault The inverter encountered a problem in the CPU. This fault requires an AC power cycle to reset. If this fault happens again contact PV Powered for service. 0040 0000 Over Current Safety protection; the inverter tried to produce too much current. 0020 0000 Pre-charge The inverter experienced trouble starting up the transformer. If this happens again, contact PV Powered.
5 SPECIFICATIONS 5.1 Operational Specifications The specifications detailed below are expected operational parameters, and should be used in designing your PV system in accordance with the NEC.
5.2 Abnormal Specifications The specifications listed below are classified as abnormal and are not representative of normal operation. Abnormal Specifications Momentary current transient obtained during abnormal operation Maximum input source backfeed current to input source V97-600002 PVP1100120 EV PVP1100120 SV 100 A-pk / 0.54 mS PVP2000240 EV PVP2000240 SV 142 A-pk / 0.663 mS PVP2800208 PVP3000240 50 A-pk for 0.600 mS 166 A-pk / 0.
6 LIMITED WARRANTY PV Powered, Inc. provides a limited warranty for your residential or commercial inverter and optional data monitoring module for defects caused by material or manufacturing flaws. The inverter and the data monitoring module must be installed and maintained by a qualified installer in order for the warranty to be valid. 6.
• Exposure to unsuitable environmental conditions (including but not limited to damage due to lightning strikes, storm, fire, flood, etc.). • Unauthorized or abnormal use, repair, modification, or operation. • Negligence or accidents. • Material or workmanship not provided by PV Powered or its authorized service centers. This warranty also does not cover costs related to the removal, installation, or troubleshooting of your electrical systems. 6.
RENDERED PURSUANT TO SUCH ARBITRATION SHALL BE BINDING ON THE PARTIES. THE LOCATION FOR ANY ARBITRATION HEARINGS SHALL BE BEND, OREGON. THE PRICE FOR THE INVERTER OR PVM1010 DEVICE AND PV POWERED’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY ARE CONSIDERATION FOR THIS BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION. 6.
7 RETURN PROCEDURE Before returning the product directly to PV Powered, you must first obtain a Return Materials Authorization Number (RMA) from PV Powered. You must also pre-pay for shipping. When you contact a PV Powered representative, please have the following information ready: 1. The serial number of the product 2. The reason for the return 3.
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