Enabling Arc fault detection on a Sol-Ark 12K

[Bkord]

i update the firware and my system is working with arc fault now.

 

[RV10flyer]

My array is earth grounded 75' away from house/power shed earth ground rod. I have two IMO switches and six 600V MNS SPD at the array, where I hope the lightning will stay. Mine faulted before my first update. I turned it on again today. Thank you for that info!

It's been almost one month. No faults after update!

 

[Oldphile]

I've experienced multiple arc faults on two new Sol-Ark 15K installations operating without grid sell and no battery. I got PTO yesterday, activated grid sell and hope these faults stop occurring. One 15K was 7.2.2.2 software. Sol-Ark updated the second one yesterday. Both systems have TIGO optimizers.

I don't agree with those who say it's not required by code. Regardless, I don't want an electrical fire on my roof. That's what arc fault detect is for.

 

[Riderice]

My 15K is on 7.2.2.2, roof mounted array using TS4-A-O Tigo optimizers, supposedly. Arc fault has been enabled since installed, no issues at all for first 2-3 months UNTIL...we got the first big snow. It was a couple days after it snowed, when it really warmed up and everything started melting rapidly. Tripped once, I reset, then tripped a few hrs later. Reset it again and fine since.

First thought is that my installers f'ed something up, didn't seat all the MC4 connectors properly, or crimped some wires (their work was shoddy in other ways, with the racking etc). The coincidence of arc faults on the first super wet day can't be ignored, really seems like moisture getting into an electrical connection somewhere...

But on the other hand, maybe it was due to weird shading (panels half covered with snow) and the optimizers were just doing their thing and confusing the Sol-ark...?

 

[HTownMicroGridder]

Chiming in to add another data point. Tigo Optimizers, Sol-ark 15k. Got intermittent arc faults sometimes a month apart. Installer worked with Sol-ark and check all connections (supposedly) and it still occurred. There may have been a firmware update somewhere in there. I ended up disabling arc faults detection.

 

[robby]

I have been hesitant to switch it on even though I am pretty confident that it works without any issues for the vast majority of Sol-Arks owners. I just don’t want to get a call from the wife that I need to head back home due to an issue. The system has been running 24/7 for 30 months now with no shutdowns or errors.
I just cannot imagine them encouraging customers to turn it on if it created more CS calls and upset customers.
And they do ask you to turn it on.

 

[Oldphile]

I'm watching 3 systems. The one turned on last December does not have optimizers and has never triggered an arc fault. The new one on my condo triggered an arc fault yesterday. My neighbor's hasn't triggered since getting PTO. All 3 systems are on firmware 7.2.2.2

TIGO claims the optimizers are compatible with Sol-Ark, but Sol-Ark only signed off on the basic RSD models.

I wonder if the new Sol-Ark optimizers will perform better.