modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers at The Alternative Energy Store

modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers

Posted by James Cormican on July 27, 2009, 10:26:07 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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Posted by Bruce Friedman on July 27, 2009, 11:13:41 AM

Re: modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers (Reply #1)

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

Posted by James Cormican on July 27, 2009, 11:27:25 AM

Re: modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers (Reply #2)

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 x107Ā or +1.978.562.5858 x107
Fax: 877.242.6718Ā or +1.978.562.5854

Posted by Ken Hall on July 28, 2009, 03:16:22 PM

Re: modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers (Reply #3)

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

Posted by Robert Dinion on October 02, 2009, 06:40:24 PM

Re: modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers (Reply #4)

Unfortunately it probably is the inverter tripping the breaker.Ā 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.

« Last Edit: October 02, 2009, 06:52:44 PM by Robert Dinion »

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modified sine wave inverters v. afci breakers

Posted by James Cormican on July 27, 2009, 10:26:07 AM

Posted by Bruce Friedman on July 27, 2009, 11:13:41 AM

Posted by James Cormican on July 27, 2009, 11:27:25 AM

Posted by Ken Hall on July 28, 2009, 03:16:22 PM

Posted by Robert Dinion on October 02, 2009, 06:40:24 PM

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