ve.bus:grid-codes-and-loss-of-mains-detection
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ve.bus:grid-codes-and-loss-of-mains-detection [2017-12-08 12:08] – mvader | ve.bus:grid-codes-and-loss-of-mains-detection [2022-10-31 23:41] (current) – [2.8 Grid codes and Type A and Type B LOM] mvader | ||
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All countries have their own legislation and therewith their own requirements with regards to the speed of Loss of mains detection, under & over voltages, accepted ramp times, and so forth. To make an installation comply to local regulations, | All countries have their own legislation and therewith their own requirements with regards to the speed of Loss of mains detection, under & over voltages, accepted ramp times, and so forth. To make an installation comply to local regulations, | ||
- | The exact requirements differ widely between the countries. For example the normal Multis, Quattros and MultiCompacts are certified for use in the UK. For other countries, Germany for example, only the MultiGrid | + | The exact requirements differ widely between the countries. For example the normal Multis, Quattros and MultiCompacts are certified for use in the UK. For other countries, Germany for example, only the MultiPlus-II |
- | ===== 2. Loss of mains detection (L.O.M.) ===== | + | In certain situations, the inverter/ |
- | ==== What is L.O.M. detection? ==== | + | Make sure to also read [[ess: |
+ | ===== 2. Loss of mains detection | ||
- | L.O.M. is an automatic process that detects a change and so loss of the mains/ | + | ==== 2.1 What is LOM detection? ==== |
- | ==== Why is L.O.M. detection | + | LOM is an automatic process that detects a loss of the mains/ |
- | The purpose of L.O.M is to detect that the Multi is no longer connected to the mains. Be that a generator or the grid. In such case, the Multi needs to open its back-feed relay. Not doing that would be unsafe. Imagine an electrician working on the street, and disconnecting a house. He then needs to be able to safely work on the wiring from the house. | + | ==== 2.2 Why is LOM detection required? ==== |
- | ==== How does LO.M. detection relate | + | The purpose of LOM is to detect that the Multi is no longer connected to the mains. Be that a generator or the grid. In such case, the Multi needs to open its back-feed relay. Not doing that would be unsafe. Imagine an electrician working on the street, and disconnecting a house. He then needs to be able to safely work on the wiring from the house. |
- | To detect a loss of mains, the inverter/ | + | ==== 2.3 How does LOM detection relate |
- | When connected to a generator, or to a grid with a long extension cable or long ‘last mile’ cable, the pushing | + | To detect a loss of mains, the inverter/ |
- | ==== LOM detection Type A and Type B ==== | + | When connected to a generator, or to a grid with a long extension cable or long ‘last mile’ cable, the impedance of the grid becomes much higher |
- | LOM detection comes in two flavours: **Type A** and **Type B**. | + | |
- | **Type A** is the strongest form LOM detection, which results in the quickest detection time. It requires a low impedance connection | + | ==== 2.4 How does LOM detection |
- | **Type B** has a more soft approach. Resulting | + | Similar to above section about overload, |
- | For generators on which also **Type B** does not work, see Disabling LOM. | + | This (can) cause a safety mechanism to activate |
+ | ==== 2.5 How to identify if LOM detection causes overload issues? ==== | ||
- | ==== Disabling | + | By temporarily disabling the LOM, one can identify that the LOM is causing overload issues. Here is how to disable it: |
- | Besides choosing Type A and B, it is also possible | + | Open VEConfigure, |
- | Note disabling the LOM on an input connected to the grid is only allowed when other external safety equipment is installed. | + | |
- | Disabling | + | Save the settings, and wait to see if this helps. |
- | ==== Grid codes and Type A and Type B LOM ==== | + | In case disabling LOM solves the overload issue, one solution is to make for a better (lower impedance) connection to the utility. In case that can't be improved, another solution is to keep LOM disabled |
- | Some Grid codes will use Type A and others | + | NOTE: for LOM to cause overload issues is really rare. Its documented in detail on this page to help installations where it does cause an issue, but its really rather rare to happen in the first place. Do make sure to read the [[ess: |
+ | |||
+ | ==== 2.6 Disabling LOM ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | There are a few situations in which LOM needs to be disabled: | ||
+ | |||
+ | - For certain generators | ||
+ | - In case LOM causes Overload, Passthru or other issues while connected to the utility (see above) | ||
+ | |||
+ | To disable LOM, use VEConfigure and go to the Grid tab. A password is required to choose " | ||
+ | |||
+ | KNOWN LIMITATION: Note that, even with the LOM detection disabled on an AC input, the inverter/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Safety notes - Generator === | ||
+ | |||
+ | There is no regulatory need to install external anti-islanding equipment when disabling LOM in combination with a generator. To make sure. by installing signs and other means, that it is very clear to any installer working on the generator that he must also switch off, or otherwise disconnect, the inverter/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Safety notes - Utility connection === | ||
+ | |||
+ | Disabling the LOM on an input connected to the grid is only allowed when other external safety equipment is installed, by means of an anti-islanding safety device. Victron does not make such producs. A common brand is Ziehl. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Make sure to comply to local rules & regulations - this is a critical safety issue. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Screenshot of LOM settings === | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== 2.7 Background: LOM detection | ||
+ | |||
+ | Within the Victron product range, there are two types of LOM detection available: Type A and Type B. | ||
+ | |||
+ | All recent certified grid codes use Type B. On the MultiPlus-II models, **all** grid codes use Type B, and Type A is no longer used. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Type A** is the strongest form of LOM detection resulting in the quickest detection time. It requires a low impedance connection to the grid (short, well sized cables). LOM Type A will not work with generators. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Type B** has a more soft approach and a slightly longer detection time. Type B has been type tested and approved for most Multi/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The default value in VEConfigure is the approved value. When Type B is approved, Type A will not be shown in VEConfigure as an option, because there is no reason to prefer Type A over Type B in that case. | ||
+ | |||
+ | BE AWARE: Whether a Multi/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | On generators, and also with installations having a relatively high impedance mains connection, Type B will work better than Type A. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For generators on which also Type B does not work, see the Disabling LOM section above, as well as the there noted limitation. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== 2.8 Grid codes and Type A and Type B LOM ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | At the time of writing all Grid codes use Type B or "LOM disabled" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Type that has been tested and approved for compliancy is marked with __grid code compliant__. See below screenshot. | ||
* Grid codes using Type A: VEConfigure lets you override that to Type B and/or disabling LOM. | * Grid codes using Type A: VEConfigure lets you override that to Type B and/or disabling LOM. | ||
* Grid codes using Type B: VEConfigure lets the installer override it to disabling LOM only. | * Grid codes using Type B: VEConfigure lets the installer override it to disabling LOM only. | ||
+ | * Grid codes using " | ||
{{ : | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
===== 3. Example configuration in VEConfigure ===== | ===== 3. Example configuration in VEConfigure ===== | ||
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Some, bigger or better quality generators, will be able to work with LOM **Type B**. For other less stable generators it will be required to disable LOM entirely. In that case make the installation such that it is still safe: no simple extensions cords, use enclosed wiring cabinets with warnings on the outside and/or an external ENS. | Some, bigger or better quality generators, will be able to work with LOM **Type B**. For other less stable generators it will be required to disable LOM entirely. In that case make the installation such that it is still safe: no simple extensions cords, use enclosed wiring cabinets with warnings on the outside and/or an external ENS. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Note that it is also possible for some generators that it is not accepted by the inverter/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | More information about Victron Inverter/ | ||
==== Q4: I use ESS, but have disabled feed-back, is a grid-code still required? ==== | ==== Q4: I use ESS, but have disabled feed-back, is a grid-code still required? ==== | ||
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A: Yes, also in this case LOM is required to make for a safe and also local regulations compliant system. Running ESS with disabled-feed-back is still not the same as using a Multi in its default configuration without ESS. | A: Yes, also in this case LOM is required to make for a safe and also local regulations compliant system. Running ESS with disabled-feed-back is still not the same as using a Multi in its default configuration without ESS. | ||
- | ===== DISQUS ===== | + | |
- | ~~DISQUS~~ | + |
ve.bus/grid-codes-and-loss-of-mains-detection.1512731322.txt.gz · Last modified: 2017-12-08 12:08 by mvader