Wrenches, I recall seeing some past threads about SMA arc fault issues but am curious if others are using SMA -40 inverters extensively and NOT seeing intermittent arc faults? If so, I would be curious what your DC installation practices look like? Are you ensuring that homerun ends use connectors identical to your module manufacturer? Are you crimping any DC transitions? Perhaps using insulated lugs for DC transitions? What type of conduit are you using for DC wiring? Are you using ferrules where you terminate in the inverter? Any other tips or suggestions are also welcome.
At the moment arc faults for the SMA -40 inverters seem to be our main service ticket at this time (surpassing Enphase replacements and surpassing prior-model SMA arc fault issues). The arc fault errors are particularly prevalent on systems with Tigo optimizers installed though we have occurrences on pretty much every -40 unit. System meantime between failure seems to be unpredictable but somewhere between 2-180 days. There does seem to be some correlation between systems with shading and Tigos and prevalence of arc faults. Shutting off arc fault seems to be the only true solution which is obviously undesirable. SMA has us update firmware and has had us shutoff Optitrac neither of which resolve the issue. They also ask us to check wiring connections which almost never yields results (though we have found a squirrel or two which makes one grateful that the arc fault function exists). Thanks for any advice, Matt Matthew Partymiller Solar Energy Solutions LLC (877) 312-7456 m...@solar-energy-solutions.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
