ABB PVS300 Product Manual - Features

Operation basics and hardware description   29

Features

Operation and protection features

Feature

Description/Operation

Automatic operation

The inverter wakes up and goes to sleep automatically depending 

on the solar radiation conditions. It connects and disconnects to 

the electrical grid automatically according to country 

requirements. The inverter studies the system operations; it 

generates messages and production data information to the user.

DC string fuses, 

monitored

String fuses provide protection for solar modules and string 

cabling against earth faults originating from solar side installation 

errors or faulty components.

DC surge protection 

device, monitored

A surge protection device (SPD) protects the inverter from 

induced voltage spikes, for example caused by thunderstorms 

close to the installation location. The inverter monitors SPD 

cartridges and informs the user when the cartridge must be 

replaced.

DC switch

The manually-operated DC power switch which can disconnect 

the inverter from solar modules under full load conditions. When 

turned on, the DC switch interlocks the inverter’s bottom cover 

and front cover so that they cannot be removed.

DC reverse polarity, 

monitored

The inverter has a short circuit diode between the DC terminals to 

protect the internal electronics from reverse voltages. In case of 

reversed –dc and +dc connection the full short circuit current will 

flow through the diode, setting the DC voltage to zero. The 

inverter informs the user about reversed DC connection.

DC ground fault 

monitoring

In accordance with VDE0126-1-1; the inverter monitors the 

impedance between ground and DC terminals before grid 

connection can be established.

MPPT 

Maximum power point tracking. Inverter software function that 

automatically operates the solar generator, array, string or module 

at its maximum power point. PVS300-TL inverters have one 

MPPT.

Residual current detection  In accordance with VDE0126-1-1; the inverter has a DC and AC 

sensitive residual current monitoring unit (RCMU) which 

measures and sums the currents of L and N conductors. If 

residual currents (DC or AC) are detected, the inverter 

disconnects from the grid.

AC Grid monitoring with 

anti-islanding 

In accordance with VDE0126-1-1; the inverter monitors the 

voltage and frequency of the electrical grid and can detect if the 

grid is operating with tolerances. The inverter also stops power 

conversion and disconnects from grid when missing electrical grid 

is detected (anti-islanding).

AC Over current trip, 

monitored

The inverter hardware has an over current trip function. The 

inverter informs the user if over current trip is performed.