3 phase programming

In order to configure a 3 phase system the Multi RS will need to be correctly installed, and running firmware version v1.13 or later.3 phase installation

Configuring a system for three phase or single phase is done in VictronConnect in the System menu.

Caution

AC output power will be disconnected for a few seconds when switching System configuration modes. Make sure the system is configured BEFORE connecting the inverter AC outputs to the load.

Note

These System settings must be programmed individually, and set correctly on all connected units for synchronised operation.

System configuration:

The factory default System configuration setting is "Standalone".

Tap the box to bring up a popup menu where you can select "Three phase". There are two three phase options to choose from, either clockwise or counter clockwise, depending upon the phase rotation at the installation site.

You'll need to apply these same settings to each unit individually.

Phase selection:

Select the correct phase that each particular unit is connected to. There can only be one unit per phase.

Do this for each individual unit.

It is also advisable to physically label each unit and also give a matching custom name in the product info settings.

System instance: Units with the same instance number work together on the AC side.
Changing the System instance setting allows multiple groups of Inverters to be on the same VE.Can bus, but not synchronised, and segmented into different AC outputs, without interference.
Continue with the same programming settings on the rest of the units.
System settings sync: This option allows synchronization of certain settings amongst units in the system.
There is more to find out about it here.System
Prevent CAN network islanding: This setting determines what the system does in case of a broken CAN connection between the RS units, and enables the "Number of inverters in the system" setting below. Default is enabled.
If three RS units are configured in three phase, each individual unit will only continue to work if it sees at least one other unit. This feature is only relevant in combination with the "Continue with missing phase" feature.
Number of inverters in the system: Enter the total number of RS units installed in the system. This should be set to 3 for a 3 phase RS system.
In case a CAN connection is broken between two units the network is split into segments, this setting is used to determine the largest and shut down the smaller segment to prevent them from continuing on their own unsynchronised.
Note that setting the option "Continue with missing phase" to disabled, overrules this behaviour in such a way that it always ensures that all three phases must be powered at all times. So a broken CAN connection in a 3 phase setup will shut down all units.
Minimum number of inverters to start: Choose the minimum number of inverters that must be present per phase when starting the system.
In case a CAN connection is broken between two units the network is split into segments, this setting is used to determine the largest and shut down the smaller segment to prevent them from continuing on their own unsynchronised.
Setting this to 3 means that all 3 units in a 3 phase Multi RS system must be present to start. If the “Continue with missing phase” option is also enabled, once the system is operational it will not shutdown if the number of inverters operational per phase drops below this figure (as long as the remaining inverters can power the load).
Continue with missing phase: It is possible to configure the system so that if one unit is offline (for example due to it being physically switched off or a firmware update in case there is no grid connection to allow pass-thru), the other units can continue to operate and provide AC output power to their respective phases.
By default, the 'continue with missing phase' is disabled. Switching one unit off with the physical switch will make that unit switch off. If the unit is one of three units that are in three phase, then the others will also turn off as well.
If configured with 'Continue with missing phase' enabled, and minimum number of units is sufficient, then output to the other phases will continue even though its down to less phases than configured.
The 'Continue with missing phase' configuration option SHOULD NOT be enabled if there are specific three phase loads connected that require all three synchronised phases to operate (such as a three phase electric motor).
In that situation maintain the default 'disabled' setting for "Continue with missing phase".
Caution
Attempting to run a three phase load with only two phases operating could result in damage to your appliance.
Caution
If you have configured the system to continue to operate with a missing phase, and there is an issue with the VE.Can communications between the units (such as the wire being damaged), then the units will continue to operate, but will not be synchronising their output wave forms.
Switch phases as group: Disabling this option will allow the system to continue working even if one or two phases from the AC input are missing. The system will continue to produce three phase output from the AC-Out terminals.
This can also be used if a three phase output is required, but there is only one phase available from the grid or generator.

Note on redundancy and continuous output during firmware updates

A three phase system can be firmware updated without losing power on the AC output.

Make sure that there is stable AC input available when starting the update and the unit currently being updated will switch to AC-passthrough mode.

The AC synchronisation mechanism used for 3 phase has a 'protocol' version embedded.

Units can work together even with different firmware versions, as long as they are running the same protocol version.

This allows for continuous uninterrupted supply even when updating firmware, as the units will individually update one at a time, while others continue to synchronise and provide the stable AC output.

If Victron needs to change the 'protocol' version number, it will be clearly noted in the firmware change log. Always read this before updating.

In the event that there are multiple protocol versions running on the same VE.Can bus, all units will indicate error #71 until they are all updated to the same version.

Known Issues

The 'UPS function' is too sensitive in 3 phase operation compared to stand-alone operation. Disable the 'UPS function' in case the Multi disconnects frequently from the AC input.
Charge currents are not yet balanced across the 3-phases when the charger is in voltage-controlled mode.

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Multi RS