Technical Information - SUNNY TRIPOWER CORE1 · ENGLISH STP50-40-NA-TI-en-11 | Version 1.1 Technical Information SUNNY TRIPOWER CORE1 Simplified Implementation of Grid and PV System

STP50-40-NA-TI-en-11 | Version 1.1ENGLISH

Technical InformationSUNNY TRIPOWER CORE1Simplified Implementation of Grid and PV System Protection in PV Systemsin accordance with VDE AR-N 4105:2018-11

Table of Contents SMA Solar Technology AG

Technical InformationSTP50-40-NA-TI-en-112

Table of Contents1 Introduction................................................................................................................................... 3

2 Basic Information ......................................................................................................................... 3

3 Requirements................................................................................................................................ 4

4 Installation .................................................................................................................................... 5

5 Commissioning and Testing......................................................................................................... 6

6 Event Messages............................................................................................................................ 8

7 Frequently Asked Questions ....................................................................................................... 8

8 Appendix ...................................................................................................................................... 9

1 IntroductionSMA Solar Technology AG

Technical Information 3STP50-40-NA-TI-en-11

1 IntroductionSMA Solar Technology AG will release a new firmware version for the Sunny Tripower CORE1 in August 2019. Thisconsiderably simplifies the grid and PV system protection required by the application guide VDE-AR-N 4105. For PVsystems with Sunny Tripower CORE1 (> 30 kW to 135 kW), this means it is now possible to replace the external tieswitch for disconnection from the grid with the disconnection units already integrated into the inverter. Additional costsfor the external tie switch can therefore be omitted.This technical information describes, in addition to the basic principles, the necessary steps and requirements forimplementing integrated grid and PV system protection in PV systems with Sunny Tripower CORE1 for installers andsystem planners.

2 Basic InformationThe grid and PV system protection is a "type-tested protective device with a certificate of compliance" as perapplication guide VDE-AR-N 4105. This type-tested protective device with a certificate of compliance constantlymonitors the voltage and frequency of the transmission line for compliance with the specified tolerances and preventsthe formation of stand-alone grids.For generating systems < 30 kW, the grid and PV system protection that is integrated into the inverters as standard issufficient in Germany. For generating systems > 30 kW, however, external grid and PV system protection is required.Here it is absolutely necessary that an external monitoring unit with an integrated system protection relay isimplemented. Whereas for systems up to 135 kW, the tie switch that disconnects the PV system from the utility griddoes not necessarily have to be implemented externally, provided the standard requirements are complied with. Thus,the external grid and PV system protection consists of two components:

• Monitoring unit with a grid and system protection relay• Tie switch that is switched via the system protection relay of the monitoring unit and disconnects the PV system in

the event of a grid failure.Up until now, when using a Sunny Tripower CORE1, the tie switch had to be realized externally, i.e. outside theinverter. Consequently, additional costs of up to €2,000 were incurred, depending on the size of the system.

SUNNY TRIPOWERCORE1 UTILITY

GRIDExternaltie switch

Monitoring unit with a system

protection relay

GRID AND PV SYSTEM PROTECTION

ACControl cable

Figure 1: PV system with external tie switch

3 Requirements SMA Solar Technology AG


As the the Sunny Tripower CORE1 already includes redundant and monitored switching elements for disconnectionfrom the utility grid, these can now be connected to the system protection relay of the external monitoring unitelectrically by making appropriate changes in the firmware of the inverter and providing an interface (use of theoptional SMA I/O module (MD.IO-40)). Thus, the tie switch prescribed by applicable standards is implemented in theinverter. The expensive external tie switch can therefore be omitted in the future.

UTILITYGRID

SUNNY TRIPOWER CORE1with SMA I/O MODULE

and integrated TIE SWITCH

ACControl cable

Monitoring unit with a system

protection relay

GRID AND PV SYSTEM PROTECTION

Figure 2: PV system with tie switch integrated in the inverter.

SMA Solar Technology AG provides a corresponding manufacturer's declaration for download regarding the use ofthe internal tie switch of the Sunny Tripower CORE1 for the above-mentioned application.

3 RequirementsThe following requirements must be met to be able to use the function:

• The Sunny Tripower CORE1 must be equipped with firmware version ≥ 3.01.00.R. The function can be upgradedfor inverters that have already been delivered. A manufacturer's declaration is available for download on theproduct page at www.SMA.de.

• All Sunny Tripower CORE1 devices in a system must be equipped with an SMA I/O-Module (MD.IO-40),available as an accessory.

• As before, the system must contain a certified monitoring unit (e.g. Ziehl, Bender or similar) with an integratedpotential-free system protection relay. The alarm contact must be a break contact.

• Connection cable:– Conductor cross-section: 0.5 mm² to 0.75 mm²– UV resistance required– Maximum cable length: 200 m (between inverter and grid and PV system protection)

http://www.SMA.de

4 InstallationSMA Solar Technology AG


4 InstallationOnly the most important installation steps are shown here. Observe the manuals of the installed components. Thefollowing figure shows the pin assignment scheme of the I/O Module (MD.IO-40) that must be installed in allSunny Tripower CORE1 devices.

A1 A2 A3 A4

B1 B2 B3 B4 B1 = 24 VB2 = digital input 1B3 = digital input 2B4 = digital input 3

A1 = 24 VA2 = digital input 4A3 = digital input 5A4 = digital input 6

Figure 3: Pin assignment of the SMA I/O Module

Pin A4 and Pin A1 (+24 V) are provided for connection to the system protection relay of the external monitoring unit(break contact). Observe that the digital input signals in SMA communication devices (e.g. SMA Data Manager,Sunny Portal) are marked DI1 to DI6. Figure 3 shows the reference of pin to digital input. The following figure showsa wiring example including two Sunny Tripower CORE1 devices with installed SMA I/O Module and systemprotection relay of the monitoring unit.

Sunny Tripower CORE1

B1B2B3B4A1A2A3A4

1

2

B1B2B3B4A1A2A3A4


with SMA I/O Module

with SMA I/O Module

System protection relay of the monitoring unit

(Grid and PV system protection)

Figure 4: Wiring example for grid and PV system protection without active power setpoint

5 Commissioning and Testing SMA Solar Technology AG


In order to use the grid and system protection function for several devices, each inverter must be equipped with its ownSMA I/O module. In addition to grid and PV system protection, it is also possible to implement an active powersetpoint for the entire system (4 digital inputs) via an I/O module. The wiring scheme is shown in the following figure.

B1B2B3B4A1A2A3A4

K1

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K4

B1B2B3B4A1A2A3A4


2


Ripple control receiver

with SMA I/O Module

with SMA I/O Module

System protection relay of the monitoring unit

(Grid and PV system protection)

Figure 5: Wiring example for grid and PV system protection with active power setpoint

In the use case show here, with forwarding of the signal to reduce active power, the inverters are connected viaSpeedwire (Ethernet). In this case, the ripple control receiver for setting the active power setpoint only has to beconnected directly to one inverter's SMA I/O Module. In this case, the curtailment signals are forwarded via theexisting Speedwire communication to the inverters, which are connected to each other via the network.

5 Commissioning and TestingThe prerequisite for enabling the grid and system protection function is that the country data set of the inverters is set toVDE-AR-N 4105:2018-11.The following steps must be carried out on the inverter to commission the grid and system protection:

• Install the SMA I/O Module and connect it to the external monitoring unit.• Update the firmware to version ≥ 3.01.XX.R. for all Sunny Tripower CORE1 devices in the system.• Enable the grid and PV system protection function in all Sunny Tripower CORE1 devices. There are the following

possibilities:– Activation via the User Interface

All Sunny Tripower CORE1 devices must complete this step. You can make the setting via the installationwizard or via the Device parameters menu.

– Activation via the User Interface of a Communication DeviceIf you enable the function via a communication device, the setting data is transferred to all registeredinverters.

5 Commissioning and TestingSMA Solar Technology AG


Setting via the installation assistant on the inverter's user interface

Figure 6: Activating the grid and PV system protection in the installation assistant

Procedure:1. Access the user interface.2. Start the installation assistant.3. Select [Save and continue] until the step Grid management service.4. Select the field On in the Active power setpoint section under Grid and PV system protection via SMA I/O

Module.

Setting via the device parameters on the inverter's user interface

Figure 7: Activating the grid and PV system protection in the Device parameters menu

Procedure:• Select Device parameters > System and device control > Power control modules > Grid and PV system

protection and enable the On button.

Activation via the User Interface of a Communication Device• Use the search function to find the object name PwrCtlMdul.GriSysPro and set the parameter to On.

Disconnection test• To test the disconnection of the system, interrupt the signal cables for external grid and PV system protection or

trigger a disconnection test via the external monitoring unit.

6 Event Messages SMA Solar Technology AG


6 Event MessagesWhen the grid and system protection function is enabled, the inverter can generate the following event messages:

Event number Message and Cause

10513 GMS fast stop: Stop through PV system control is executedThis event is generated by the monitoring relay of the monitoring unit when the grid and PVsystem protection device is triggered. The inverter disconnects from the utility grid.

7622 No communication with the I/O moduleThis event is displayed during a device-internal communication error with the SMA I/O Mod-ule. For safety reasons, the inverter disconnects from the utility grid.

7 Frequently Asked Questions

Is simplified grid and PV system protection approved for all systems from 30 kW to 135 kW?Yes. The solution conforms to standards. However, it should be taken into account that the overall solution(Sunny Tripower CORE1 with SMA I/O Module (IO.MD-40) and an external monitoring unit) must be approved bythe electric utility company in advance.

Is it possible to use the solution in systems > 135 kW?No. At > 135 kW, the system is within the scope of VDE-AR-N 4105:2018-11. Here, an external tie switch is requiredin the standard.

Under which country settings can the simplified grid and PV system protection be implemented?This function is available for all country data sets ≥ 2018, e.g. DE VDE-AR-N4105:2018-11 Generators >4.6 kVA. The country data set can be set via the user interface of the inverter or via the SMA Data Manager inSunny Portal.

Can the grid and PV system protection also be implemented by an Ethernet connection betweenthe inverters?No. The grid and PV system protection always requires a separate line due to safety reasons as well as 1 SMA I/OModule per inverter.

Can the integrated grid and PV system protection also be used in mixed systems, e.g. with otherSunny Tripower inverters?No. The implementation of simplified grid and PV system protection is currently approved only for the Sunny TripowerCORE1 in conjunction with the SMA I/O Module (MD.IO-40).

How many Sunny Tripower CORE1 devices can be combined?It is technically possible to combine up to 11 Sunny Tripower CORE1 inverters. Only 2 Sunny Tripower CORE1devices are necessary for the use case described in this document.

Which external monitoring units are compatible?At the moment, many systems are, for example, implemented with monitoring units from the manufacturers Ziehl (ZIEHLindustrie-elektronik GmbH + Co KG) and Bender (Bender GmbH & Co. KG). In the appendix, a connection examplewith an external monitoring unit from Ziehl is shown.

Does a feedback contact for the grid and PV system protection has to be implemented?No. There is no need for additional feedback because the tie switch in the inverter is already monitored internally.

8 AppendixSMA Solar Technology AG


Is an additional voltage supply required, for example, during dynamic grid support?No. The Sunny Tripower CORE1 provides an AC- and DC-supplied 24 V output voltage via the SMA I/O Module forreading the system protection relay of the external grid and PV system monitoring unit. The external monitoring unitusually contains a wide-range power supply unit that supplies the monitoring unit with sufficient power even withdynamic grid support.

Can an SMA I/O Module also be used for active power supply in parallel to grid and PV systemprotection?Yes. For this, the SMA I/O Module can be used (see Section 4 "Installation", page 5).

Can cable lengths > 200 m also be implemented between the monitoring unit and the inverter?Yes. There is a simple implementation with an additional relay in the communication line. In the appendix, you will findan application example from Ziehl.

8 AppendixThe following application example shows how the simplified grid and PV system protection is implemented withSunny Tripower CORE1 and an external monitoring unit from Ziehl (ZIEHL industrie-elektronik GmbH + Co KG,https://www.ziehl.com/en/AllProducts/detail/UFR1001E-54, 2019-12-06).

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Technical Information - SUNNY TRIPOWER CORE1 · ENGLISH STP50-40-NA-TI-en-11 | Version 1.1 Technical Information SUNNY TRIPOWER CORE1 Simplified Implementation of Grid and PV System