I just bought some used IQ8M's. With 8 panels and inverters connected in one string, the night time current draw is .56 amps on one leg. This was measured with a Fluke clamp-on ammeter. They function normally during the day. Is this typical? It seems like a lot of wasted power. I have not connected them to an IQ Gateway yet, but one is on order; however from what I read that is only needed to change grid parameters and for monitoring.
Probably not an accurate measurement. It depends on the error of the fluke, which depends on the measurement scale range and the meter error, especially in the significant digit rating.
What Fluke?
I created an issue with my neighbor where it appeared his new A/C unit had a steady 80W draw based on a ~.35A @ 240V measurement with a Klein CL800. 80W was MAJOR for his system and would have represented about 25% of his total consumption w/o running the A/C.
When I moved to the DC side, the draw was 7W to power the electronics.
When I ran the error numbers, I discovered the meter was essentially useless for measuring low current AC draw.
Example:
The Fluke 302 + is a rugged, easy-to-use digital clamp meter with CAT IV 300 V/CAT III 600 V safety rating.
www.fluke.com
States a 1.8%±5 accuracy.
This means a 1.8% error in on the total scale, PLUS a ±5 variation in the least significant digit.
That units lists a 400.0A range.
This means that the total range can vary by 1.8% as well as an additional ±0.5A, so if you're trying to measure a current small current, you're going to get a ±0.5A or 1A total error. This error is larger than the value measured. It's basically worthless.
To get a truly accurate measurement of <1A, you'd need something like this:
The Fluke 368 FC true-rms leakage current clamp meter helps you measure small problems before they become large problems, all without taking equipment off line.
www.fluke.com
On the 3A scale, it would be accurate to ±1% and ±.005A