Focus is on the relay contacts. Any good designer will have already incorporated protective diodes for relay DC coils, so nothing needed unless specifically stated in the instruction/installation manual.
Do NOT connect any diodes across the relay contacts. Bob Gudgel is 100% on target with his comments (below). Dan -------------------------------------------- On Mon, 6/16/14, Mac Lewis <maclew...@gmail.com> wrote: Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Coupling Relays To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Date: Monday, June 16, 2014, 10:59 AM Hi Drake, I think you can put a power diode in parallel to the gt inverter that can conduct that inductive current if you need to. However, I think BoB is correct, there should just be induction of the wiring itself for most grid-tied inverter. The relay engineer recommended this diode for a DC load break application I recently had, so I assume AC would be the same. Thanks On Mon, Jun 16, 2014 at 9:11 AM, b...@midnitesolar.com <b...@midnitesolar.com> wrote: Since grid-tie inverters sell back with a power factor of 1, the load ~should~ be entirely resistive and not inductive or capacitive so a appropriately rated relay contacts ~should~ be fine. Except maybe if the inverter is designed to supply VARs like the last Solar-Pro magazine talks about. (haven't actually read that article yet but I assume that's what it is about) Of course, others may have different experiences so I would listen to them. I prefer to use a somewhat over-rated relay. boB On 6/16/2014 7:05 AM, Drake wrote: Hello Wrenches, Do the relays that break the current from the direct grid tie inverters, in AC coupled systems, need to be motor rated or can they simply be rated for the amperage of the inverter output? How inductive is the current between the two inverter systems? Will the current tend to jump the contacts on a non motor rated relay, or burn them out prematurely? Thanks, Drake Drake Chamberlin Athens Electric LLC OH License 44810 CO License 3773 NABCEP Certified Solar PV 740-448-7328 http://athens-electric.com/ _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org