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RSS - Simple, SAFE and Cheap... aka My notes on Tigo RSS + 6000XP

Scoob-SanDiego said:
I have been planning a basic solar system for a friend.
Not permitted but still safety minded.
As part of the project, I evaluated using Tigo products to implement Rapid System Shutdown (RSS).
On the face of it, it looked prohibitively expensive but upon calculation, setting up basic RSS using Tigo for a 10x 400W panels + EG4 6000XP all-in-one inverter would come to about $325 total!

In this post, I will give
  • a brief overview of RSS,
  • a summary of the parts and cost for my small sample DIY solar system
  • Some links on how to connect the Tigo system to the EG4
  • Some NEC links regarding RSS
  • An overview of the Tigo lineup
  • Some links to the various Tigo products
Please understand that this is not a full, complete or authoritative tutorial. These are simply the notes I made for myself while researching this project which I thought might be useful for others on the forum.

Rapid Shutdown System (RSS)​

RSS is a requirement to shut down the electricity production at the solar panel level under emergency shutdown conditions. Practically, if you have a RSS compliant all-in-one inverter and battery(ies), if someone hits the emergency button (e.g. fire fighters), within seconds the voltage out of the PV string will drop down to 0V, the battery will shutdown (trip its own breaker) and the inverter will shutdown, making the premise electrically safe for first responders.

Rapid Shutdown System (RSS) which is a requirement for a solar system to pass code inspection. While we can get away with doing our own solar system and not tell anyone about it... no inspections, no government requirements, those requirements were put in place for safety reasons. So it is a good idea to educate ourselves to the RSS specification / requirements and where compatible with our budget, implement those requirements in our systems.

The lower end of all in one inverters from China do not comply with RSS requirements. But Products from EG4 are rapidly becoming compliant (at the time of writing, all all-in-on inverters except the 3000K comply with RSS).

If using a RSS compliant inverter (ex EG4 6000XP), then the additional cost of making our system RSS compliant can be more reasonable.

Sample system cost summary:​

In my planned small system (10 x 400W solar panel connecting to EG4 6000XP), I will need to get the following items to make it RSS compliant:
Total additional cost: $322.85.
When you consider that the system with an EG4 upright battery, the EG4 6000XP and the panels is around $8K, the extra $322 is almost insignificant.
And considering that strininging 10x 400W solar panels together will get you nearly 400V on the string, it's a pretty neat device to keep you SAFE... all your panels are at 0V UNTIL you put 12V power to the Tigo pure signal emitter (which will tell the modules behind the solar panels to allow the voltage to flow through).

Note: In my sample system, the EG4 600XP, there is a built-in PV disconnect but code compliance requires that there be
a PV disconnect OUTSIDE so fire fighters can safely disconnect the PV. This seems unnecessary if you have a RSS system
as it will bring the voltage output if each individual panel to near 0V which in and of itself is much safer than a PV disconnect.
Personally, I just put the disconnect mushroom button outside where I would otherwise put the PV disconnect.
But if you want to play the game, you would add an extra $90 for an outdoors PV interrupt switch

Installation of Tigo with EG4 systems:​

The instructions below should apply to EG4 6000XP / 12K / 18K but NOT the 3000W yellow model which is not RSS compliant.

Because the EG4 6000XP has built-in RSS capability, it includes a built-in 12V power supply.

No need to purchase the kit with the green transmitter an the box + din rail + power supply.... Just purchase the green RSS transmitter and house it either directly in the 6000XP chassi or in the connection box between it and the battery. If you use one of the stand up EG4 batteries, it is RSS ready and will even trip the battery breaker when RSS is activated.

Installation video:

Another excellent post from this forum:
View attachment 257117



Operation of RSS:​

Triggering RSS: Press the mushroom button (which triggers a gpio on the EG4 inverter) OR the EG4 software triggers the RSS condition inside the 6000XP,
  • The inverter will turn off the power to the 12V RSS transformer.
    • This will in turn have the panel mounted tigo TS4 units passively shut down the voltage from EACH panel
    • i.e. No RSS transmitter signal = 0V output from each panel.
  • The inverter will also signal the battery BMS. IF you have an EG4 stand up battery (or presumably some of the rack ones) or some other RSS ready battery that talks to the EG4 inverter bus, it will SHUT DOWN the battery by tripping the battery's breaker.
  • Finally, the inverter will shut down (if off grid) or will stay powered up but not producing electricity if connected to the grid.

Restore power AFTER a RSS shutdown:
  • If you have an EG4 stand up battery, you must FIRST reboot the battery (reboot button) BEFORE you can flip the breaker back on.
  • Then you power on your inverter (or if on utilities, read the manual or power cycle/reboot the inverter)
  • Once powered on, the inverter will power the RSS transmitter which will tell the TS4 units to unblock the voltage from the panels.
Comment on using a separate PV interrupt switch outside my solar shed:
  • The 6000XP has a built-in PV interrupt switch.
  • Code / Regulations require an outside PV interrupt switch.
  • But if you have a mushroom RSS Emergency Button, it WILL turn off ALL solar power MORE completely than just a PV interrupt anyway.
  • I could only see the benefit of an external PV interrupt if you want to work inside your 6000XP during the day and avoid having 500V coming into the inverter while you work!!!!! But again, I think hitting the RSS E-button is. a SAFER option when working inside your inverter!
  • You can also take a belt and suspender approach and use BOTH RSS and the PV switch.


NEC 2017 / 2020 require Rapid Shutdown System (RSS)​




Overview of Tigo Products:​

Tigo seems to offer 3 types of products.
  • Rapid Shutdown System (RSS) modules
  • Optimisation modules (i.e. allows you to bypass a panel(s) that is in the shade to still maximize the output of the array.
  • Monitoring of larger systems
  • Some combination of the above. The system I described in the example above was strictly RSS, no monitoring and no optimization. It is the simplest and cheapest option.
Overview:
  • Youtube Tigo page: https://www.youtube.com/@Tigo_Flex_MLPE
  • Tigo has RSS modules and/or RSS + monitoring/optimizing modules
  • All devices connect panels in series and by default DON'T let any voltage/current through UNLESS the transmitter signal is present and ON.
  • There is an external transformer and transmitter which sends a singal OVER the solar cable coming back from the panels on the roof.
  • If you use the monitoring / optimizing modules, then you need an extra box.. one for every 300 modules? position within 10Meters etc... not a big deal

Best Overview video of Tigo products.​

You can go one of two ways:


RSS AND monitoring/optimization models: (TS4-A-O):

I hope this helps some of you out there!
- Christian
Click to expand...
Hey Christian, fantastic research and explanations of all of your hard work. E been, trying, to do some myself on this same subject which led me to this jewel. What I'm wondering is, did you going any info regarding the eg4 3000. I'm not getting clear info on my searching. Mostly they lead to eg4 6000 and others that made me at first think the 3000 could do an RSS. Can I basically, use one of the tigo panel products and and all of the things you've used except having to also add a transmitter and whatever that takes(I guess a 12 volt power supply) and get the same total shutdown capability? Thanks for your sharing all of this! TomT
 
Tomt28 said:
Hey Christian, fantastic research and explanations of all of your hard work. E been, trying, to do some myself on this same subject which led me to this jewel. What I'm wondering is, did you going any info regarding the eg4 3000. I'm not getting clear info on my searching. Mostly they lead to eg4 6000 and others that made me at first think the 3000 could do an RSS. Can I basically, use one of the tigo panel products and and all of the things you've used except having to also add a transmitter and whatever that takes(I guess a 12 volt power supply) and get the same total shutdown capability? Thanks for your sharing all of this! TomT
Click to expand...
I don't know for sure but I don't think it's included. The 3000 is for lower end DIY projects with a tighter budget.... I doubt that you'd find most of those users setting up RSD.... (just my thoughts). I did a quick lookup on ChatGPT on this and all it could find is that "

The EG4 3000EHV-48 inverter does not include a built-in Rapid Shutdown (RSD) function. While the term “RSD” is mentioned in its documentation, it refers to terminology definitions rather than indicating the presence of an integrated RSD feature. "

While on the 6000XP and the 18K they explicitly list it as a feature that complies with NEC 690.12 standards.

So my guess would be that it does NOT included it on this entry level model.

As an aside... Having gone the smaller inverter route in my first year (MPP 2400. 2K 24V all-in-one inverter), I would NOT recommend it simply because, you will REALLY like the savings and safety from power outage you get and you will want to grow your system. At least with the EG4, you are starting with a more efficient 48V battery system. But unless your use case is very specific and will never exceed 3K power requirement, I can pretty much guarantee that you will be kicking yourself for not getting the 6000XP to begin with.

You save a lot of hassle. It has all build-in breakers and PV interrupt switch. It has TWO. 4-5K MPPT input. It comes with a wifi dongle included (not sure if the 3K has it included). It's really really nice :)
 
Yes, it has the WiFi dongle and it’s on an rv so I’m kind of limited. I appreciate the reply and initial post. I was getting conflicting info. I’m trying to decide whether to just get an IMO shutoff for the panels or the whole Tigo TS4-A-O and now realizing i need the transmitter, since the 3000 doesn’t have one. I think I need to be able to shut the panels off so i can get on the roof of the rv. I have metal conduit racks and it’s tight with the whole roof covered with panels.so, I’m considering the Tigo’s and it’s not much extra for the units with optimizers. I have seen all of the debate about optimizer vs no optimizer vs microinverter. I have top line rec panels and probably dont need them but if i go that route it’s only a few dollars more. Anyway, thanks👌
 
Tomt28 said:
Yes, it has the WiFi dongle and it’s on an rv so I’m kind of limited. I appreciate the reply and initial post. I was getting conflicting info. I’m trying to decide whether to just get an IMO shutoff for the panels or the whole Tigo TS4-A-O and now realizing i need the transmitter, since the 3000 doesn’t have one. I think I need to be able to shut the panels off so i can get on the roof of the rv. I have metal conduit racks and it’s tight with the whole roof covered with panels.so, I’m considering the Tigo’s and it’s not much extra for the units with optimizers. I have seen all of the debate about optimizer vs no optimizer vs microinverter. I have top line rec panels and probably dont need them but if i go that route it’s only a few dollars more. Anyway, thanks👌
Click to expand...
I also have a EG4 3000EHV (house-based, not RV) and installed the Tigo TS4-A-2F modules with the transmitter. It works great and I added a relay to the RSD to turn off the inverter output. Just thought you might be interested in my post: https://diysolarforum.com/threads/seeking-solution-with-rsd-to-turn-off-inverter-output.102042/#post-1399489
 
Hey Mapster, I had read your posts. Was surprised you got no response? Your saying the 3000 doesn’t have a transmitter helped me to keep researching. Now i know i need one transmitter too. I now understand what i need if i go with the tigo system. I’m trying to now decide between just a DC disconnect switch and the full on tigo system, which i think i might as well get the optimiser version as it’s not that much more. I’ve read the debates over optimiser vs no optimiser. Seems like that would be of value on an rv with different angles and different conditions on a regular basis. I think the down side is extra complications and possibly not much added production. I do absolutely need to shut things on the roof off to get up there when needed, raising and lowering and tilting panels and misc. roof work. I might want to have the inverter shutdown with everything. Not sure. At this point i think it would be better to be able to just shut the panels off. Any ideas would be welcomed, thanks for the reply, TomT
 
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