Grounding
Grounding
Grounding
Application note
ULTRA inverter series
Operation with Positive-grounded or Negative-grounded PV arrays
Resistive grounding method
INDEX
1. Background
ULTRA Inverter with negative/positive resistive grounding kit and GFDI
System Operation With Resistive Grounding (100 )
2. System design requirements and operation of ULTRA Inverter with positive (negative) resistive
grounding kit and GFDI
3. What happens in case of a ground fault?
Case 1 Ground Fault on DC side
Case 2 Ground Fault on AC side
4. ULTRA Inverter equipped with Resistive Grounding Kit on negative polarity of each PV array
Date
2014-10-21
2014-11-19
Note
First release.
Second release
1. Background
Depending on module technology and environmental factors, PV systems may be required to operate with the
positive (+) or negative (-) polarity of the PV array connected to ground.
This specific array configuration is required in order to prevent long term performance degradation of PV modules,
respectively:
- Surface Polarization Effect developed by some All-Back Contact crystalline technologies, will require
positive grounding;
- PID=Potential Induced Degradation (developed by some crystalline module) can be prevented by grounding
the negative polarity of the array;
- TCO corrosion or Bar-Graph degradation, is affecting some amorphous technology (typically those made
with Superstrate Technology) and again requires a negative-grounded configuration for the array.
System designers shall carefully evaluate the PV module manufacturers technical documentation to verify if any of
the above grounding requirements shall be considered for their installation. The system grounding requirements also
affect the inverter configuration and step-up transformer arrangement.
ULTRA Inverter with negative/positive resistive grounding kit and GFDI
All inverter models in the ULTRA series are GALVANICALLY INSULATED from the grid by means of a step-up
transformer operating at line frequency (50Hz or 60Hz) and are suitable for operation with floating as well as with
positive (+) or negative (-) grounded arrays.
When used with resistive-grounded arrays (100 Ohm, protected by a 2A series fuse), the inverters shall be equipped
with additional hardware and control/protection fuctions optionally supplied by Power One as detailed below:
A 100R resistive grounding kit includes:
- The positive terminal (for positive-grounding) or negative terminal (for negative-grounding) of the arrays
connected to each 350kW (390kVA) inverter module will be INDEPENDENTLY wired to ground through a 100R
resistor (a 2A fuse is connected in series to protect the system in case of short circuit of the resistor);
- The 100R resistor and grounding provision will be INTEGRATED as a "resistive grounding kit in each 350kW
inverter compartment, together with sensing and GFDI ground fault detector (Ground Fault Detector and
Interrupter) protection hardware (control logic to detect ground faults);
- Thanks to the use of a 100R grounding resistor, IT IS POSSIBLE to maintain independent MPPTs and
independent ground paths for each 350kW inverter module. For this reason the inverter may be configured
as Multi-Master with each 350kW conversion module (2 to 4, depending on inverter model) connected
separately to a PV array and operating as a totally independent MPPT;
- One resistive grounding kit shall be installed for each 350kW (390kVA) conversion module. ULTRA-700.0,
ULTRA-1050.0 and ULTRA-1400.0 shall integrate respectively 2, 3 and 4 resistive grounding kits.
2. System design requirements and operation of ULTRA Inverter with positive (negative)
resistive grounding kit and GFDI
System Requirements
The transformer low voltage winding shall not be referenced to ground (ground reference already provided
via 100R grounding resistors installed on DC side of the inverter);
The PV arrays connected to all 350kW conversion module installed in the same inverter shall consist of the
same PV module type & model and the string length shall be the same among all arrays connected to the
different inverter modules. This requirement is particularly important, because it will prevent the build-up of
a residual offset voltage across each 100R grounding resistor;
In case multiple inverters shall be connected to the same transformer (for example 2xULTRA-1400.0 to a
3150kVA unit) the transformer may also be made with a simple secondary winding. In this case however all
arrays connected to both inverters shall fulfil the symmetry requirement specified above (same module,
same string length for all arrays). However it is in any case recommended to connect 2 separate inverters to a
separate secondary low voltage winding of the same transformer (or to different transformers), even if not
strictly necessary in case they share the same array configuration, in order to prevent the occurrence of
residual ground voltage offset on the referenced pole of the arrays;
If different inverter requires a different array sizing and string length that may produce different Vmp voltage
values during operation, the inverters shall be connected to a transformer equipped with SEPARATE Low
Voltage Windings.
In accordance to the provisions set forth in IEC 62548, Ed. 1.0 2013-07 (Photovoltaic (PV) arrays
Design requirements) chapter 6.3.7, in systems that include a functional earth, the overcurrent
protective devices (i.e. fuses) required for PV strings and sub-array cables shall be placed:
In all unearthed conductors (i.e. all circuits not directly connected to the functional earth).
The inverter re-combiner configuration and string/array combiner selection shall take into account this
requirement:
-
ULTRA inverter with negative (positive) grounding kit option shall be equipped with DC-recombiner
fuses only on the positive (negative) unearthed polarity. The earthed polarity shall be populated
with neutral fuse links (blades).
DC combiner boxes shall also be equipped with string overcurrent protection on the positive
(negative) string inputs only, while the negative (positive) earthed polarity may be equipped with
neutral fuse links or directly connected to the common busbar.
Grid
Cp
Cp
Lout
Lout
VDC4
PV1
PV2
VDC5
Cout
Cout
Cp
Cp
100R
100R
Vgr4
Vgr5
In this example the negative pole of the PV array connected to each independent 350kW conversion module (PV1 and
PV2) is tied to ground via a 100 resistor.
VDC4 is the operating MPP voltage of the inverter module connected to array PV1, while VDC5 is the MPP
voltage of the other inverter module, connected to the second array, i.e. PV2.
The voltage across each grounding resistor is respectively Vgr4 for the grounding kit connecting PV1 negative
terminal to ground and Vgr5 for the other kit connecting the negative terminal of PV2 to ground.
The DC (average) component of Vgr4 and Vgr5 is basically depending on the difference between VDC4 and
VDC5, i.e. the mismatch of the mpp voltage of the 2 independent arrays, PV1 and PV2.
The rms value of the AC component (ripple) of Vgr4 and Vgr5 is conversely depending on the overall stray
(leakage) capacitance Cp of the PV arrays.
In this example we have considered a value of Cp of 25uF for each 350kW PV field.
The same considerations and results are applicable also to the opposite case, when the positive terminal of each array
shall be grounded.
4 different cases have been analysed and tested experimentally, to cover a set of representative possible conditions
that may occur in the field, depending on the actual inverter configuration:
Case #
Configuration
Condition
Vdc4
Vdc5
Pout4
Pout5
Balanced PV fields
Low Irradiance
644V
647V
16kW
16kW
High Irradiance
629V
630V
350kW
350kW
Unbalanced PV fields
(Vmpp -100V)
Low Irradiance
635V
734V
16kW
16kW
High Irradiance
618V
715V
350kW
350kW
Unbalanced PV fields
(Vmpp +100V)
Low Irradiance
634V
535V
16kW
16kW
High Irradiance
617V
520V
350kW
310kW(*)
Low Irradiance
612V
16kW
High Irradiance
600V
350kW
Note:
(*) Module 5 in power limitation due to low input voltage
Case #1:
- Represents the most common and expected operating condition if all recommendations and guidelines listed
in this document have been properly addressed;
Case #2 and #3:
- Shall be considered worst case scenarios when 2 or more conversion modules belonging to the same
ULTRA inverter have been configured with different string lengths, generating a systematic voltage mismatch
Vmpp of approx.. 100V. Normally this situation will never occur if the inverter is configured as specified in
this document;
Case #4:
- Expected condition occurring whenever one or more conversion modules disconnect from the grid during
daytime system operation.
The following scope plots have been captured during the tests performed under the 4 different scenarios described
above. During the tests the voltage across each mppt input and on the 100 grounding resistors have been measured
and represented in the scope plots, together with the measured average and rms values.
Pout4/5=16kW
Vdc4 644V
Vdc5 647V
AvgVgr4 0V
AvgVgr5 0V
RmsVgr4 7V
RmsVgr5 7V
Pout4/5=350kW
Vdc4 629V
Vdc5 630V
AvgVgr4 0V
AvgVgr5 0V
RmsVgr4 8V
RmsVgr5 10V
Pout4/5=16kW
Vdc4 635V
Vdc5 734V
AvgVgr4 +23Vdc
AvgVgr5 -23Vdc
RmsVgr4 25V
RmsVgr5 25V
Pout4/5=350kW
Vdc4 618V
Vdc5 715V
AvgVgr4 +23Vdc
AvgVgr5 -23Vdc
RmsVgr4 25V
RmsVgr5 25V
Pout4/5=16kW
Vdc4 634V
Vdc5 535V
AvgVgr4 -23Vdc
AvgVgr5 +25Vdc
RmsVgr4 25V
RmsVgr5 26V
Pout4=350kW
Pout5=310kW(*)
Vdc4 617V
Vdc5 520V
AvgVgr4 -24Vdc
AvgVgr5 +25Vdc
RmsVgr4 26V
RmsVgr5 28V
Pout4 =0kW
Pout5=16kW
Vdc4 0V
Vdc5 612V
AvgVgr4 0Vdc
AvgVgr5 0Vdc
RmsVgr4 0V
RmsVgr5 13V
Pout4 =0kW
Pout5=350kW
Vdc4 0V
Vdc5 600V
AvgVgr4 0Vdc
AvgVgr5 0Vdc
RmsVgr4 0V
RmsVgr5 15V
Based on the experimental results and with reference to the following schematic, the operation of ULTRA inverter
series equipped with resistive grounding kits on the DC inputs can be summarized as follows:
1.
2.
3.
Under all practical applications designed and operated in accordance with the guidelines included in this
application note, the residual voltage on the PV array grounded terminals is negligible, thus preventing
the inception or build-up of any significant module degradation phenomena. This also includes transient
conditions that may occur for example in case of disconnection of one or more sections of the PV system;
PV leakage capacitances impact only on rms voltage across the grounding resistances. In our experiments
we have considered a value of Cp as high as 70nF/1kW, much higher than the values normally
experienced on large scale free field installations with crystalline modules. Even with such high values
the residual ripple (AC component) across the resistors is limited to a few volts and however not relevant
for the performances of the solar modules.
4.
Grid
Cp
Cp
Lout
Lout
VDC4
PV1
PV2
VDC5
Cout
Cout
Cp
100R
Vgr4
Cp
100R
Vgr5
ULTRA-1400.0
E018
MPPT1
MPPT2
R
100
R
100
MPPT3
MPPT4
R
100
R
100
MPPT1
MPPT2
R
100
E018
R
100
MPPT3
MPPT4
R
100
R
100
PV modules system grounding requirements shall be verified before proceeding to the selection of the inverter type
and configuration.
4. ULTRA Inverter equipped with Resistive Grounding Kit on negative polarity of each PV
array
(*)
2A
R
100
Grounding
Kit
Ctrl Logic
(*)
Grounding Kit
Module #2
(*)
Grounding Kit
Module #3
(*)
Grounding Kit
Module #4
ULTRA
Resistive
Grounding Kit
+ / - PV Array Input
2A
R
100
GFD
OUT
Grounding Kit
Ctrl Logic
YVD.V0A90.0
2x (ULTRA-700.0)
3x (ULTRA-1050.0)
4x (ULTRA-1400.0)
Connection
Grounding Method
Protection
2A Fuse
2A
< 200ms
__________________________
Technical Sales Director
Power Conversion
Product Group Solar
email: [email protected]