Grid code rules

Q&A and troubleshooting
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1

Good evening,

I like to address some issues about the European grid and the grid codes.

We all know that Germany is basically the “leader” in this, but now see Spain.

See, this sheet, particularly page 52 for Spain, as it says there that inverters have to cope with 130% of nominal voltage without tripping.

That will kill our so beloved Victrons in an instand and to be honest, we (me and my colleagues) do not know 1 other brand inverter which is capable of doing this since their law of 2022.

We came across this today as some burned out in a village and indeed…no guarantee…

IRENA_Grid_Codes_Renewable_Systems_2022.pdf (3.9 MB)

Regards, Jeroen.

2

This requires inverters to be proof against 300Vrms…

Even SMA inverters will disconnect at that voltage, so I think that the requirement is not realistic.

Normal regulation is +10% I seem to recall, so a limit of ~265V rms (374V peak)for operation, but above that, the inverter should be allowed to disconnect, but the voltage sensing circuits that remain connected might meet the requirement of 300V rms (~425V peak). The 265V rms allows for 400V capacitors, but 300Vrms calls for a 600V peak rating!!!

3

Good morning,

Indeed Mike, you know the internal control transformers from Victron are 270V on AC1 in.

In can only inform our Spanish Victron people to keep a close eye on that incoming voltage during the days with a lot of sunshine.

Regards, Jeroen.

4

Hi Jeroen,

It is rarely the transformers that burn. These can usually take a great deal of over voltage without damage (say +30%) for a short time. It is usually the capacitors and VDR’s that are used for protection and EMC that suffer from over voltage.