Multiple Gateway Systems - enphase IQ8 Design Manual

limit required. If there is no pre-existing grid profile for the export limit required, contact
Enphase Support
•
Line communication filter usage shall depend on PLC strength and noise levels onsite
based on FFT analysis.

2.4.4 Multiple gateway systems

Multiple gateways are often used where there are multiple array locations and multiple PV array
subpanels installed across array locations on a site. Using multiple gateways in this installation
scenario enables more flexibility in wiring and simplifies the design. Power Export Limiting (PEL) only
works in systems with a single IQ Gateway Commercial 2 and where the Consumption CTs can fit
around the total service load conductors. Therefore, any site with multiple gateways shall not be able
to support system-level power export limit requirements, if any.
Enphase microinverter system design can allow multiple gateways to be installed at a single site. Data
from multiple gateways can be aggregated as a single installation for system monitoring in Enlighten.
Design consideration for multiple gateways
•
The minimum number of microinverters that can report to an IQ Gateway Commercial 2 is
three.
•
The maximum number of microinverters that can report to an IQ Gateway Commercial 2
metered is 275.
•
A PV load center must have one IQ Gateway Commercial 2 per load center.
•
Power Line filters must be used for multiple gateway installations to reduce crosstalk between
gateways. Enphase offers a 400 A power line filter for IQ8 Commercial System installation.
•
CT metering with multiple gateways is not feasible as gateways do not communicate with
other gateways. Consumption data from one gateway is not calculated correctly if it does not
measure all the solar production across the entire site. If consumption data is required, each
gateway on site can measure ONLY the consumption load at the distribution board point that
the solar PV generation supplies.
•
If main service conductors are inaccessible, multiple circuit conductors can be bundled for a
single CT. All Line 1 conductors are bundled to go through Line 1 CT, and all line 2 conductors
are bundled to go through Line 2 CT for proper bundling. Two 600 A Consumption CTs can be
connected in parallel if needed with a maximum of two CT wires per IQ Gateway Commercial
2 terminal block.
•
For all gateways at a site to communicate well, you must protect the communications domain
for each gateway from inter-gateway crosstalk. Enphase Installer Portal highlights the
microinverters in the array view that are communicating with multiple gateways. Please refer
to the section Troubleshooting during commissioning for more details.
•
Achieve protection (PLC attenuation) using line filters. The Enphase Installer App provides a
way to do the Powerline Communication analysis. This enables the user to troubleshoot and
identify conditions where the Power Line Communications (PLC) is degraded or disrupted by
noise in the frequency band that the PLC uses for communication. The installer can export/
share the report generated. Please refer to the section Troubleshooting during commissioning
for more details.
•
For sites with multiple gateways, the conductors and conduits of each communication
domain must be kept physically separated from the conductors and wiring of other
communications domains by at least 12 inches using properly grounded metal conduits.
Coupling of the signals can occur between the conductors and conduits when run together,
especially on long conduit and wire runs.
NOTE: Do not use the PLC scan function on IQ Gateway Commercial 2 to detect IQ8
Commercial Microinverters for a multiple gateway installation.
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to request a new custom grid profile.
© 2023 Enphase Energy Inc. All rights reserved.
IQ8 Commercial Microinverter grid-tied PV system
November 2023
USG-00026-1.0