modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers

James Cormican
578 Posts
Jul 27, 2009 10:26 am
modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers

has anyone noticed problems with off grid systems in which a properly installed hardwire modified sine wave inverter is tripping afci breakers for bedroom circuits but not affecting the other breakers?

if so please tell, specificity on make and model of inverter and ac panel/breakers appreciated.

james
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Bruce Friedman
9 Posts
Jul 27, 2009 11:13 am
Re: modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers

James- are you sure it is related to the inverter....we have problems with the afci breakers all the time in homes with out pv.  They are very sensitive....could be a dimmer, light fixture, etc.

Just my 2 cents...

BF
 
 
James Cormican
578 Posts
Jul 27, 2009 11:27 am
Re: modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers

nope not sure, thanks for the reply.  good point, this is out of my normal realm, so all input is welcome. 

that is from 2002 code, correct?, and most of the country has adapted to it.  so what do you do when you find these issues; is it a wild goose chase to find what the issue is?

james
altE staff
AltE
"Making Renewable Do-able"
http://www.altEstore.com/

Tel: 877.878.4060 x107  or +1.978.562.5858 x107
Fax: 877.242.6718  or +1.978.562.5854
 
 
Ken Hall
351 Posts
Jul 28, 2009 03:16 pm
Re: modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers

There are plenty of AFCI problems without an inverter.

"Loose plugs" can cause tripping. Make sure the plug/receptacal fit is tight.
Shared neutrals.
Multiple electronic ballasts. (Too many CFL's would do it)
Surge protectors that have reached the end of life. (MOV leaking excess current to ground)
RF noise

Ken
 
 
Robert Dinion
4 Posts
Oct 2, 2009 06:40 pm
Re: modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers

Unfortunately it probably is the inverter tripping the breaker.�  The way AFCI circuits work is by detecting the non sinusodal wave forms that occur when arcing occurs.

This article has a really great picture about halfway down that shows this.
http://www.pfeiffereng.com/The%20Arc%20Fault%20Circuit%20Interrupter.pdf

So you either have to go sine wave or replace your outlets.
This is going to be a big problem in some installations so altE needs to drop the price of sine wave inverters. Smiley
« Last Edit: Oct 2, 2009 06:52 pm by Robert Dinion »
 
 

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