Recent content by Steve777

We live in a culture which promotes buy the latest and greatest, whether you need it or not. I suppose it keeps consumption high, but really does not serve most consumers all that well (IMO)... My general rule is use something until it breaks or no longer will do what you want from it. Planning...

So just curious, do the pro's here have any recommendations for gloves for the DIYer who is working on a 500-600vdc string? Just curious if there are any cheap protective gear we should consider getting (not that we actually would use it ;) )

Unfortunately, I see over on CC's site, that the release date is now moved to May not April. Too bad, but not that far off...

I am not sure that for FilterGuy's examples above, where the voltage spike from the lightning is coming into the equipment over the ground wire, SPDs would help. MOVs are bi-directional devices, so if your SPD just has MOVs between your various lines and ground, the MOV is happy to "save" the...

As I am told: 9540 can be stand alone for a battery or can be for a battery-inverter pair. Depends on whether the batt (or really the BMS) can meet the 9540 requirements on its own or needs an inverter to control some "stuff". 9540A is a simpler test for thermal runaway.

To me it is unclear why you'd want a manual xfer switch between the inverters' outputs (and maybe inputs too) and the grid. Most inverters have a built in transfer switch functionality and additionally can supplement your PV output with grid input when necessary (but the details on this will...

Wrote to RuiXu to ask about the timing on the certs. They responded: (for those that might be waiting) So sounds like they are not planning on getting a stand alone 9540 cert, but rather one tied to their inverter.

Interesting. Their spec sheet does not mention any UL certs. Wonder if they are going to get any of those....

So I've looked at the iotawatt website and their installation manual. It seems able to set any CT as bidirectional right now (which is nice). But it does not seem to handle 240 loads (or inputs like an inverter) all that well. From my reading of the manual, they want you to put a CT on one of...

Spoke with Emporia support, and wanted to relay what they told me (all of this in regards to the Vue 3): They are still working on making the 50A CTs bidirectional. They think it is close, like maybe a month or two (but no guarantees). It will be a FW update that they send out, so should work...

I am considering an Emporia Vue 3 and have few questions about it for the folks who have one (seems the Emporia website does not have a contact for questions): 1. Did the 3 version add the ability to track reverse power on the 50A CTs (eg measure power sent back to grid)? 2. Does the 3 version...

In theory, except for two rods a ways apart when a thunderstorm cloud passes overhead. The charge on the bottom of the could will induce a corresponding charge and V potential on the ground underneath. There can be significant voltage differences between ground rods when this happens, with...

I should say, best protection if lightning does get to the mount, regardless of other protection... (on edit) probably more accurate to say it is inverter, CC, etc protection in that if the PV or mount get a direct lightning strike this isn't likely to save them...

There are indeed two distinct issues here, although both are talked about under the label of "grounding": What is correct and proper from an NEC AC and DC electrical code and safety perspective. And what makes sense in protecting your wiring and electronics from lightning and electrical storm...

Another consideration: looks like your SRNE AIO can pass AC thru to the connected loads too. Up to 63A if I am reading the label you posted correctly. So unless you have disabled that, or limited the amount of AC pass thru to the loads when there is no solar and the battery does not have enough...