Xantrex SW Series Owner's Manual

Contents

Xantrex SW Series Owner's Manual Manual pdf 97 page image

OPERATION 2001 Xantrex Technology, Inc.5916 - 195th Street N. E.Arlington, WA 98223Telephone: 360/435-8826Fax: 360/435-2229www.traceengineering.comSW Series Inverter/ChargerPart No. 2031-5Rev. C: February 2001Page89NORM.OPENRELASOLAR ARRAY+P -N120VACCOIL+P -NBATTERY BANKSW - SERIESINVERTERAUX RELAY 9 COM.AUX RELAY 9 N.C.5 AMPFUSE-N+PAC OUTPUT - NEUAC OUTPUT - HOTOVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION FOR THE BATTERY IN SELL MODENormally, the inverter will regulate the charging process of the battery by selling excess power into theutility grid. The battery will receive a three-stage charge routine as previously described. If the utility grid isnot available (due to an outage or tripped AC input circuit breaker, etc.) or if the inverter shuts off, then theinverter is not able to sell the excess power and the battery voltage will not be regulated, resulting inpossible overcharging of the battery.Therefore, a separate control is required to provide overvoltage protection for the battery when an outagehas occurred. The AUX Relays in the SW Series Inverter/Charger are designed to control an externallyconnected power relay that would disconnect the solar array and stop the charging process. The voltageand hysteresis (difference between opening and closing voltage) are both adjustable. The external relaycan be either a standard mechanical type or a mercury displacement type, depending on the voltage andcurrent required. The mercury displacement type relay is usually required when the system voltage is 48VDC or if the current of the solar array exceeds about 20 amps. Multiple relays can be used if the solararray is divided into several source circuits (do not parallel relays for higher current). Another option is touse a charge controller such as the Trace™ C40. For more on the C40 MULTI-FUNCTIONCONTROLLER, see page 129.A typically wiring configuration for this overvoltage protection is as follows:This circuit does draw a small amount of power all of the time to power the coil ofthe relay. Other circuits are possible but may have other drawbacks. This circuitprovides protection against overcharging the batteries.Figure 30, Overvoltage Protection for BatteryAUX RELAYSThree voltage-controlled relays are provided to simplify installations that have battery voltage related tasksto perform. They are single pole double throw, five amp relays. Both the normally closed and normallyopen contacts are available for each relay. The operation of the relays are individually controlled andadjustable via the user menu. The battery voltage at which each of these relays are activated (SETRELAY 9, 10 or 11 VOLTS DC) and the number of volts by which the battery voltage must drop beforethe relay is de-activated (R9, R10 or R11 HYSTERESIS VOLTS DC) are both individually adjusted foreach relay. The three AUX Relays operate independently of the inverter or charger. For location and wiringinformation on the AUX Relays, see the AUXILIARY AND GENERATOR CONTROL RELAY section onpage 14.CAUTION: These relays are not intended to directly control a load or charging source - ratherthey can be used to send a signal or operate the coil of another higher amperage device whichdoes the actual switching of the power. A fuse rated at 5 amps or less should be included toprotect each of the relays. Damage to these relays from overloading is not covered by warrantyand requires the inverter to be returned to a repair center. This also applies to the generatorcontrol relays.