Grid Interface Protection Menu - Outback FXR2012A Operator's Manual

Operation
NOTES :

The inverter has a delay before selling will begin. This function, the Re-Connect Delay Timer, has a default
setting of five minutes. During this time, the inverter will not connect to the utility grid. The timer is adjustable
in the Grid Interface Protection menu (see below).

Upon initial connection to the utility grid, the inverter may be required to perform a battery charging cycle.
This may delay the operation of the grid-interactive function.

The grid-interactive function only operates when excess DC (renewable) power is available.

The grid-interactive function is not available in any of the other input modes.

When power is returned to the utility grid, it may be possible to reverse the utility meter. However, this
depends on other loads in the system. Loads on the main panel (not on the inverter's output) may consume
power as fast as it is sold. The meter would not run backwards, even if the system display showed the
inverter selling power. The result of selling would be to reduce AC power consumption, not reverse it.

The amount of power an inverter can sell is not necessarily equal to its specified output wattage. The
Maximum Sell Current can be decreased if it is necessary to limit the power sold. This item is available in
the Grid Interface Protection menu (see below).

The amount of power that is sold is controlled by the utility grid voltage. The wattage sold equals this
voltage multiplied by the current. For example, if the inverter sells 15 amps and the voltage is 116 Vac,
the inverter will sell 1.74 kVA. If the voltage is 125 Vac, the inverter will sell 1.88 kVA. Additionally,
output will vary with inverter temperature, battery type, and other conditions.

This recommendation is specifically for the inverter's grid-interactive function. In some cases, the
source may be sized larger to account for environmental conditions or the presence of DC loads. This
depends on individual site requirements.

Grid Interface Protection Menu

Due to varying requirements in different locations around the world, the grid-interactive settings are
adjustable. These adjustments are made in the Grid Interface Protection menu.

This menu is only available to operators with installer-level access. There are firm rules concerning the
acceptable voltage range, frequency range, clearance time during power loss, and reconnect delay when
exporting power to the utility. Generally it is expected that the end user cannot alter the settings.

The installer password must be changed from the default in order to get access to these settings. Once this
password has been changed, the settings can only be accessed with the MATE3 installer password.

See the tables beginning on page 76 for the locations of all menu items in the MATE3 menus.

The grid-interactive function can only operate while the utility grid power is stable and within specific limits.

In Grid Tied mode, the inverter will operate in accordance with the Grid Interface Protection settings.
The default settings and ranges are listed in the tables which begin on page 76.

If the AC voltage or frequency vary outside the Grid Interface Protection limits, the inverter will
disconnect from the utility grid to prevent selling under unacceptable conditions. These limits override
the AC source acceptance limits described on page 30, which are used in other input modes. The
inverter will not reconnect until the source is acceptable for the duration of the Re-Connect Delay Timer.

If the inverter stops selling or disconnects due to Grid Interface Protection, the MATE3 will show the
reason. Sell Status messages are listed on page 66. Disconnect messages are listed on page 65. Often
these messages will be the same.

Before operating in Grid Tied mode, contact the utility company that provides power to the installation.
They can provide information regarding the rules that must be followed in order to export power back
to the utility. The items in the following list are the selectable Grid Interface Protection options. The
utility company may need to review these items to make certain their standards are met.
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