PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEM INVERTER DETECTION

摘要

Photovoltaic power system inverter detection apparatus and methods are disclosed. Electrical continuity between an inverter in a PV power system and a PV panel disconnect switch, which switchably couples one or more DC PV panels to the PV power system, is tested while the PV panel disconnect switch is open. A state of the electrical continuity is determined based on measurements of an electrical parameter after the test signal is applied. The PV panel disconnect switch is maintained open on determining no electrical continuity, and closed on determining that there is electrical continuity between the PV panel disconnect switch and the inverter. A shutdown device that implements inverter detection may be located and/or adapted to meet safety conditions, by being located less than 10 feet from the PV panel array and/or adapted to limit a test signal to a maximum of 30V and 240VA.

主权项

1. Apparatus comprising:
a photovoltaic (PV) panel disconnect switch to switchably couple one or more Direct Current (DC) PV panels to a PV power system; continuity testing circuitry, operatively coupled to the PV panel disconnect switch and to the PV power system, to enable testing of electrical continuity between the PV panel disconnect switch and an inverter in the PV power system; a controller, operatively coupled to the PV panel disconnect switch and to the connectivity testing circuitry, to control the PV panel disconnect switch to open responsive to occurrence of a disconnect condition, to control the continuity testing circuitry to test electrical continuity between the PV panel disconnect switch and the inverter with the PV panel disconnect switch open, to maintain the PV panel disconnect switch open on determining no electrical continuity, and to control the PV panel disconnect switch to close on determining that there is electrical continuity between the PV panel disconnect switch and the inverter.