How Grid Tie Inverters Work - simple explanation for beginners, safety info
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- Опубликовано: 3 ноя 2022
- A simple and straightforward explanation of how plugin grid tie inverters work, which caters towards beginners looking to get into plug-in grid-tie inverters. I will explain how the grid tie inverter works by pushing an AC sine wave into the electrical wiring. Once explained you will have a decent idea how these devices work. This is a basic and easy to understand presentation.
If you are interested in plugin grid tie inverters, please watch this video explaining the safety risk of using a plug in GTI:
• Before Buying Plug-in ...
Hope this video helps someone. Thanks for watching! -DDSolar
Solar Electric 101 Playlist
• Solar Electric 101
#gridtie #gridtiedsolar #gridtieinverter #inverter #inverters
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finally Someone has explain this well!
Appreciate that :) thank you
THANK YOU!! Finally an explanation at the level I needed it. It was not that easy to find. I liked and subscribed.
Glad to hear it :) thanks for your kind feedback and also subscribing
Thank you. Now I can understand how Grid Tie Inverters work.
You are welcome, I am glad this helped and thanks for watching :)
Super helpful and exactly what I was looking for in explaining how these work. I never understood how one could prioritize solar power versus the grid and the pressure-differential explanation where the inverter bumps the voltage from the solar panels just a tad bit above the grid makes sense. Thanks!
Welcome! I was hoping this would help a few folks out!
Good info on how the voltage increase lets appliances use the generated power before relying on other standard power sources. Is there a way to know where power is going when multiple loads are demanding power or where it might be prioritized with a complicated list of appliances?
@pyrojason One way to handle it is connect the GTI into the same circuit as the priority appliance. In this way the power is most likely consumed by that appliance without ever touching the electrical grid. Of course we cannot "see" electricity so it's not 100%, but a good start. If you had a 1000w electric heater, and a 250w GTI feeding the same circuit, it's very unlikely the GTI power gets past the heater. Just my way of looking at the issue, hope it at least makes some sense
You should simulate what happens when the grid electricity is down. Can you recommend 2000w 24v input 240v output grid tie inverter?
Hello, I may address that in a future video. You could try one of the blue GTIs, they were called "Sun" brand and now seem to be listed as YH brand. I bought several years ago and do like them still. Apparently they are not known for being super reliable, so I'd thoroughly test, then run at 50% power and keep them cool.
I have an inverter that says ac voltage is too high even though its reading in the normal range. Any ideas on what could be wrong?
@chris76-01 Tough to say from here, it could be a lot of things But definitely check 1) the spec sheet for the actual voltage range the inverter will accept and 2) the AC wiring from end to end
Very good info.
Thank you :)
Thank you
Welcome!!! :)
This information was quite good it was a little short I was seeking more information about these types of targets but I loved it so I subscribed hope to hear more in the fut you're period of course my question is does this higher frequency calls impedance meaning that the reason why the house uses this tigrid energy 1st because it impedes On the incoming electricity ?
Hi! thank you for subscribing. Maybe in the future I can make a longer video about this.
Electricity is something that I don't fully understand and am always learning about. The way I look at it is this: the GTI puts out a higher voltage (pressure) which pushes the load first (or carries it). If the load exceeds the GTIs output, it drags the line voltage down enough that the balance of pressure needed comes from the grid. If the load is lighter than the GTI's output, then the GTI supplies all the power plus feeds the excess back towards the grid. I like to think of the grid as a lower-impedance source capable of high surges but limited by the impedance of the wiring on premise. Of course this is all theory and there is still much to learn!
@@solarpoweredge Thanks a lot you are about where I'm at try going to my channel and looking at some of my videos you'll see that I have 5 tie grids and verters I'm writing quite a few books on different subjects and tigrid is one of those subjects so I'm kind of in the same boat as you maybe we can learn together.
Right on! Just subscribed your channel. You have some of the most interesting stuff I've ever seen. Thinking outside the box for sure. Especially liked the candle setups and explanations, awesome!
Thank you for the very clear explanation!
@davidsasson3069 Welcome!!! :)
Great explanation! Can you comment on how grid backfeeding works when the inverter exceeds the power of the load?
Thanks :) this is a really good question and may be the topic of a future video - when I'm allowed to make one. In effect your house becomes a mini power station supporting the grid loads. Exactly who is using your backfed power? We don't know, and can't prove it, but it's interesting to think about. The electrical explanation of what is actually happening when a GTI backfeeds is quite technical. I will include that in detail if I manage to crank out a video about it.
one question is, since this is connected to a single 120v outlet, is it only feeding a single leg in the breaker box of the house?
Yes that's exactly right. One example, I had my AC on one leg, so I made sure the GTI was feeding same leg because I wanted it to consume all the solar (to avoid backfeeding).
Grest video with clear concise info. If the inverter has a grid tie input and and a output would you recommend a dedicated circuit in the homes main electrical panel to feed the inverter and another dedicated circuit for the inverter output to go back into the panel? It seems to me the dual circuits would be running in parallel from the inverter to the panel.
Hello and thank you for the good feedback :) For the AC output it should be a dedicated circuit whenever possible, this is a code requirement anyway. The type of inverter you are describing sounds like a hybrid? I'd refer to the installation guide for that specific model. If they are indeed in parallel or for pass-through then probably one (properly rated) circuit breaker should be fine.
Yes it's hybrid, the installation guide doesn't specify if you can feed the current back into the main distribution panel.
That is strange, I would recommend contacting the inverter manufacturer or seller, and ask them about it. Otherwise, can just install and use 2 circuits to be safe.
@@solarpoweredgeso the way it works is it actually had a setting on it that allows you to choose if you want it to back feed into the service or only draw power from the grid. The output of the inverter feeds only what you connect to it's output.
@ralphyc81 Ah, that makes a lot of sense, it should always be up to the end user. Good to know
Can I use a generator to run my meter backwards at night by hooking it up to the solar panel circuit breaker in the main panel?
Hi - most generators can't sync with the mains supply and are not designed to backfeed the grid. If you exist in an area with very high electricity tariffs, it might be better to cycle some lithium batteries during peak hours through a grid tie, and charge them when electricity rates are lower. Or just run stuff off of battery at night. Thus saving the generator for extended power outages / emergencies. That is just my opinion though. Thanks for watching Please consider subscribing if you haven't :)
Do these also reduce grid cosumption of 220/240 volt loads even if it is plugged into a dedicated 110/120 volt outlet? If not, is there a way to use 2 grid tie inverters to plug into a dedicated 220 volt NEMA outlet?
Yes, in part. In most US houses there is a 240V connection with L1 and L2 phase (or leg), each with 120V. A GTI will feed back into whichever side it happens to be tied to. To feed back into both L1 and L2 (or 240v) in a balanced way, you could connect a 120V GTI to each leg using separate dedicated circuits plus outlets. Hope this helps! DD
thanks for the info, I just started doing research , so if I have a dedicated breaker and outlet for the plug in , that’s pretty much the same as I wire directly into the breaker box , right ? Btw is that the sun power inverter ?
Hi, welcome! Correct, and nothing else should be plugged in. That way you know it's one breaker to one inverter, keeps things simple. And yes it's a sun power inverter, most of my inverters are that type, I really like them
@@solarpoweredge now just figure out the math and figure out wind turbine
:)
If you are pushing power "backwards" through a circuit breaker in the main panel and into the other circuits in the house, is the current then limited to the circuit breaker you're pushing through, and therefore limiting the power to the rest of the house? P = VA. For example, if you are pushing 20 amps through a 15a circuit breaker, what will happen? Will the circuit break, limit the current or allow the power to pass through without any effect?
Hi, in theory if back feeding AC through a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker will surely be the limit. 20A should trip a 15A AC breaker - even in reverse. If using a dedicated circuit for the GTI, the breaker should be sized appropriately for the task. Btw thanks for commenting and hope this helps. DD
Can grid tie inverters prevent back feeding power during an outage to protect linesman?
Hi, yes all grid tie inverters are supposed to have "anti islanding" which means they instantly power down when the grid feed is lost. I have tested some of this myself and it seems to work. Of course if there is a power outage, I'd immediately do a physical disconnect all GTIs just out of courtesy to linemen and for extra safety - just in case.
@@solarpoweredge Are there any automated systems that auto-disconnect from the grid but still provide power to home from the solar array? Is this what Hybrid inverters are?
Yes, that's a hybrid inverter. They integrate solar panels, battery banks, GTI and AC mains into one. It's like a gigantic UPS. They're not too cheap though!
How is called the machine that sends back electricity to the grid?
Hello, it is called Grid Tie Inveter or GTI. There are 2 kinds, directly attached (hard wired) and plug in (these use a standard AC household plug, but can be dangerous)
@@solarpoweredge i understand, it could defeat the circuit breakers and burn the wiring to the ground. Thanks for your videos they are really helpful.
I am glad to help - thank you for watching :)