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How to make inverter's grid connectivity toggle automatically
Required devices:
- Sinexcel PWS2-30K PCS
- Remote controllable switch with auxiliary trip mechanism (it shall also have ability to remote close)
- A digital protective relay with
- synchronism check functionality
- If the protective relay doesn't have a synchro check function, then another sync check relay is required
Available remote controllable switch
https://www.socomec.com/files/live/sites/systemsite/files/SCP/2_commutateurs/atys_ul/542564c.pdf
it is a transfer switch but it's perfect for this application since it's UL listed and in this case you need to use it as a SPST switch.
Protective relay is a relay device designed to trip a circuit breaker when a fault is detected. Abnormal operating conditions are as over-current, over-voltage, reverse power flow, over-frequency, and under-frequency. In modern times the digital relay is widely used, usually these relays will have the ability to trip the breaker and output a signal, and can receive the command to close the breaker if the breaker has a motor drive.
Available protective relay
A synchronism checking relay provides a contact closure when the frequency and phase of two sources are similar to within some tolerance margin. A “synch check” relay is often applied where two power systems are interconnected, such as at a switchyard connecting two power grids, or at a generator circuit breaker to ensure the generator is synchronized to the system before connecting it.
Available sync relays
https://www.pc-s.com/pdf/multitek-synchronising-check-relay-m200.pdf
https://thiim.com/datasheets/synd.pdf
https://cromptoncanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Protector-256-PLLU.pdf
How to work
Diagram
The transformer in this diagram is not always necessary.
PWS2-30K-NA has NO neutral current output ability in grid-forming mode.
In case of 277V loads, typically industrial illumination, a isolation transformer is required for providing neutral current caused by unbalanced single phase loads.
EMS logic: Grid outage
- The grid goes into abnormal
- The relay will trip the circuit breaker and send a signal to the EMS
- The PCS will activate anti-islanding mechanism and trip
The load will lose power - The EMS send an off-grid command to the PCS
- The PCS will clear the fault and operate in grid forming mode.
EMS logic: Tie back to grid
- The grid is back to service
- The sync check relay compares phase differ between the two sides of the breaker/switch.
- Once the PCS and the grid phase differ is within tolerance, such as in 1°, the sync check relay closes the breaker.
- The PCS is operating in grid-forming mode but physically grid tied, the phase differ will still trend to vary.
- The EMS shall command PCS to shut down within 300ms in case of phase differ trend to grow,
the loads are still powered. - The EMS commands PCS to toggle to grid-tied mode
- The EMS commands PCS to start. Everything is back to the status before outage.