I have been researching Sol-Ark, EG4 and Tesla Powerwall 3. I noticed in both the Sol-Ark and EG4 manuals that they recommend a manual bypass just in case the inverter has a failure, so you won't be without grid power. Not required, but highly recommended. The Powerwall stuff I have seen does not have a bypass like this. Is there a reason for no manual bypass on the Powerwall 3? Does it handle bypass internally? Does Tesla just think their equipment would never fail in such a way?
Why no manual bypass for Powerwall 3, like Sol-Ark/EG4 have in their manual?
- Thread starter mikecogs
- Start date
Quattrohead
Emperor Of Solar
Possibly. The EG4 18k PV and probably the Solark will go into bypass if they are deliberately turned off.
SunDave
Solar Enthusiast
It is likely that tesla is a company like apple that values a clean and neat install more than a fully functional install built to accommodate every scenario. They wouldn't want an ugly switch alongside their equipment in the brochure.
They are a solid company with a lot of cool products. That's just how I see it. There is a lot of value placed on aesthetics and "ease" of install.
They are a solid company with a lot of cool products. That's just how I see it. There is a lot of value placed on aesthetics and "ease" of install.
jpwhit
Solar Enthusiast
The Powerwall doesn't need a bypass because they are not in the current path from the grid to the house panel. It's a different topology than the Sol-Ark and EG4.
The way the Tesla system is installed is the inverter only feeds power into the existing panel via taps on the main wires feeding the panel. Using taps on the panel feed wires, means Tesla doesn't run into issues with a backfeed breaker and the 120% rule.
The way the Tesla system supports backup mode during an outage, is they install an automatic grid disconnect switch at the power meter. So, if the grid goes down, the Tesla systems senses that, and completely disconnect the house from the grid. Then the Tesla Powerwall inverter goes into backup mode and generates it own AC power waveform and powers the house as an independent microgrid.
The advantage of this topology is no modification are required to the houses existing panels, sub-panels, or wiring. You don't need to create a critical load panel or anything like that which typically has to be done for the Sol-Ark and EG4 inverters to run part of the house during an outage. The other advantage is the powerwall setup always backs up the entire house.
Tesla isn't the only hybrid inverter maker to use this topology. SMA and certain models of GoodWe inverters also support the same topology.
The way the Tesla system is installed is the inverter only feeds power into the existing panel via taps on the main wires feeding the panel. Using taps on the panel feed wires, means Tesla doesn't run into issues with a backfeed breaker and the 120% rule.
The way the Tesla system supports backup mode during an outage, is they install an automatic grid disconnect switch at the power meter. So, if the grid goes down, the Tesla systems senses that, and completely disconnect the house from the grid. Then the Tesla Powerwall inverter goes into backup mode and generates it own AC power waveform and powers the house as an independent microgrid.
The advantage of this topology is no modification are required to the houses existing panels, sub-panels, or wiring. You don't need to create a critical load panel or anything like that which typically has to be done for the Sol-Ark and EG4 inverters to run part of the house during an outage. The other advantage is the powerwall setup always backs up the entire house.
Tesla isn't the only hybrid inverter maker to use this topology. SMA and certain models of GoodWe inverters also support the same topology.
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Lawrence_SoCal
New Member
for those curious (I was)
wpns
Solar Joules are catch and release
Are you sure? Wouldn’t the grid relay open if the inverter were turned off?
themizz
tinkering
This isn't really accurate. The PW3 isn't inherently very different from the Sol-Ark or EG4 in terms of the inverter portion, except that the micro-grid interconnect device (MID) are housed in a separate device, the Gateway, whereas the Sol-ark has all of that in one device (minus a battery)
All of these devices can support whole-home backup or partial backup depending on the topology of the setup.
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