Growatt Arc Protection in PV system

When connecters or cables in a PV system are improperly connected or are

damaged, the electric current may pass through the air, causing an electric arc. Arcs

generate heat which can cause fires and they also pose an electrocution risk to

those working near them. As PV systems age and connectors and cables degrade,

the risk for electric arcs will increase.

In North America, UL/CSA safety requirements pertaining to arcs (UL1699B),

requiring the ability to detect and terminate an arc through inverter shut down.

The system has to remain shut down until an installer has checked the site and

replaced any components if needed. Only then can the system be manually

restarted.

In Europe, the IEC or EN product standard for arc fault detection is on the way.

Since the risk of arcs in PV systems exists everywhere, arc fault detection is

recommended and may be as standard requirement in the future.

Growatt Arc Detection Solution

Growatt AFCI (arc fault circuit interruption) module is developed, tested and certified

in accordance UL1699B and NEC 2011/2014. Growatt US model inverter integrated

AFCI function as default, for the EU model inverter, the AFCI function is optional for

MAX, MIN , MOD and MID version.

How to Set and Test the AFCI Function

1. Local setting via Smart phone APP+USB-WiFi

When configure inverter on-site, you can use the local configure tool USB-WiFi and

GROWATT NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD T + 86 755 2951 5888 E info@ginverter.com

Building B, Jiayu Industrial Zone, #28 Guanghui Road, F + 86 755 2747 2131 W www.growatt.com
Longteng Community, Shiyan, Baoan District, P.C. 518000 W www.ginverter.com
Shenzhen, P.R. China
ShinePhone App to do some basic AFCI settings. Turn On/Off, AFCI self-test, and AFCI

restart, and AFCI curve scan.

AFCI Setting page (ShinePhone)

2. OSS remotely setting (Distributor/Installer management system)

Installer can use OSS account to do the AFCI function setting remotely if inverter is

monitored online. The AFCI function setting is from inverter setting page.

AFCI parameters setting via OSS

GROWATT NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD T + 86 755 2951 5888 E info@ginverter.com
Building B, Jiayu Industrial Zone, #28 Guanghui Road, F + 86 755 2747 2131 W www.growatt.com
Longteng Community, Shiyan, Baoan District, P.C. 518000 W www.ginverter.com
Shenzhen, P.R. China
AFCI Fault Error Code Information

The inverter performs an automatic self-test of AFCI function each time the inverter

turn on, this is self-test, and during inverter operation, when there is arc happened,

inverter will stop working, and give error information on LCD and monitoring

platform. Below table is the error information and solution, if the DC cable, panels

connection with no problem, and restart inverter the error still there, please contact

Growatt service for help.

Inverter series Arc fault error Self-test fault error

MIN, MOD, MID AFCI Fault (Error 200) Error 425

MAX Error 112 Error 114

Solution Check DC cable and panel Check DC cable and panel

connection, restart the connection, restart the

inverter. inverter.

GROWATT NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD T + 86 755 2951 5888 E info@ginverter.com

Building B, Jiayu Industrial Zone, #28 Guanghui Road, F + 86 755 2747 2131 W www.growatt.com
Longteng Community, Shiyan, Baoan District, P.C. 518000 W www.ginverter.com
Shenzhen, P.R. China