My post got kinda long. Here's the TL:DR questions.
1) Do I need to use the Schneider BCS device? Or can I just use the transfer switch in the XW Pro and a Mini PDP? (I'm using a critical loads panel, not full home backup)
2) I have no desire to sell power back to the grid and no solar, I've seen some reports of the XW Pro systems "leaking" back to the grid... is this still a problem if I configure the inverter to only act as a backup system? (Inverter should only power its output in the event of an outage, otherwise it will pass-through grid power)
Here's the full post.... Thanks for reading!
WIth the very low "clearance" prices on the Schneider XW 6.8kw inverter I'm very close to pulling the trigger on an inverter and EG4 280Ah battery to serve as a critical loads backup for my home. I suffer somewhat frequent power outages and would like to keep a handfull of circuits backed up without having to resort to a generator. I like that the schneider has very high surge capacity and also that I'm not paying for MPPT solar charger converters that I cannot use (I live in the woods, there is nowhere to put solar on my property).
I've been trying to decide exactly what equipment I need to buy in order to be code compliant (I'm going to DIY the heavy lifting, then pay a local electrician to do the final wiring/rework of my panel). Up until now I have assumed that I can get away with the XW Pro inverter, EG4 battery, a Mini PDP and the insight home interface. However, I now see there is a "BCS" unit that is apparently meant to be used for handling the changeover to battery backup in the event of an outage. This has me confused... I thought the inverter had a transfer switch built in and could be configured for backup use only... is that not the case?
Also, how serious is the problm I've been reading about where the XW pro is "leaking" power back out to the grid? All of the reports I've seen are from users who have solar and are trying to use the grid and battery/solar power simultaneously and still backfeeding the grid despite the inverter being configured for "no sell" mode. WIll I run into this issue if I use the inverter just to provide emergency backup to a subpanel?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
-Matt
1) Do I need to use the Schneider BCS device? Or can I just use the transfer switch in the XW Pro and a Mini PDP? (I'm using a critical loads panel, not full home backup)
2) I have no desire to sell power back to the grid and no solar, I've seen some reports of the XW Pro systems "leaking" back to the grid... is this still a problem if I configure the inverter to only act as a backup system? (Inverter should only power its output in the event of an outage, otherwise it will pass-through grid power)
Here's the full post.... Thanks for reading!
WIth the very low "clearance" prices on the Schneider XW 6.8kw inverter I'm very close to pulling the trigger on an inverter and EG4 280Ah battery to serve as a critical loads backup for my home. I suffer somewhat frequent power outages and would like to keep a handfull of circuits backed up without having to resort to a generator. I like that the schneider has very high surge capacity and also that I'm not paying for MPPT solar charger converters that I cannot use (I live in the woods, there is nowhere to put solar on my property).
I've been trying to decide exactly what equipment I need to buy in order to be code compliant (I'm going to DIY the heavy lifting, then pay a local electrician to do the final wiring/rework of my panel). Up until now I have assumed that I can get away with the XW Pro inverter, EG4 battery, a Mini PDP and the insight home interface. However, I now see there is a "BCS" unit that is apparently meant to be used for handling the changeover to battery backup in the event of an outage. This has me confused... I thought the inverter had a transfer switch built in and could be configured for backup use only... is that not the case?
Also, how serious is the problm I've been reading about where the XW pro is "leaking" power back out to the grid? All of the reports I've seen are from users who have solar and are trying to use the grid and battery/solar power simultaneously and still backfeeding the grid despite the inverter being configured for "no sell" mode. WIll I run into this issue if I use the inverter just to provide emergency backup to a subpanel?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
-Matt