SolarEdge Energy Meter Line Connections

[solarken]

I would like to install a SolarEdge 3-phase revenue grade energy meter in a 480V system with a SolarEdge TRI Synergy 120kW inverter at the inverter location. The Inverter has 1/2 inch stud terminals for for L1,L2,L3 & N connections. I'm planning on a 200A 600V nonfusible safety switch as a PV system disconnect at the inverter as well. There will be a second fused safety switch at the other end near the point of interconnection. I would like to add the meter in an enclosure adjacent to the inverter and switch, on a DIN rail with 12AWG THHN for the meter L1,L2,L3,N voltage connections.

Is there any issue with removing the mechanical lugs from the safety switch on either the line or load side, and landing the AC conductors on the lug stud/bolt using compression terminals, along with the 12AWG meter voltage conductors with similar compression terminals? I would install the CT's in the disconnect as well. The meter can be DIN rail mounted if I mount the rail in the switch.

Alternatively, I could run the meter voltage leads to the inverter and land them via 1/2" Hole compression lugs, over the same studs for the 4/0 Line connections to the inverter. I could add midget fuses (like 2A or so) inline with the 10AWG meter voltage sense conductors if needed, either within the inverter enclosure, or on din rail fuseholders in the meter enclosure, but not sure that is necessary.

Any thoughts?

 

[Deltaforce]

Your proposal terminate two conductors per lugs unsound if not listed
Also check with manual and ahj before proceed

 

[solarken]

Your proposal terminate two conductors per lugs unsound if not listed
Also check with manual and ahj before proceed

The lugs are not listed for two conductors. And for lugs that are listed for two, at least from what I have seen, they typically specify a narrower range of conductor sizes. In this case I have 4/0 and 12AWG.

 

[jaggedben]

I'm not a big fan of insulation piercing connectors, but this the kind of situation where I might use them. Even if I had to make the tap something larger like a #6 initially, and then reduce to #12 with a wire nut. Simple, legit solution.

 

[ggunn]

I'm not a big fan of insulation piercing connectors, but this the kind of situation where I might use them. Even if I had to make the tap something larger like a #6 initially, and then reduce to #12 with a wire nut. Simple, legit solution.

Are there IPC's that comply with 230.46?

 

[jaggedben]

Are there IPC's that comply with 230.46?

He could put them on the load side of his disconnect, as I understand his description.

 

[ggunn]

He could put them on the load side of his disconnect, as I understand his description.

I get that, but are there IPCs that are 230.46 compliant? We frequently used them to make residential supply side PV interconnections before 1/1/23.

 

[solarken]

I'm not a big fan of insulation piercing connectors, but this the kind of situation where I might use them. Even if I had to make the tap something larger like a #6 initially, and then reduce to #12 with a wire nut. Simple, legit solution.

IPC's are an option, but most I have seen don't go from 4/0 main to 12AWG tap.

Is there any code issue with removing the mechanical lugs from a safety switch like an Eaton DH364UGK and using the existing stud and nut along with stacked one-hole compression terminals, one for the 4/0 Main, and one for the 12AWG meter conductor?

It would be cleaner to connect the meter at the disconnect only for voltage and CT and Neutral. Below I how the voltage connetions at the inverter terminals. There is no room in inverter for the CTs.

 

[jaggedben]

.

Is there any code issue with removing the mechanical lugs from a safety switch like an Eaton DH364UGK and using the existing stud and nut along with stacked one-hole compression terminals, one for the 4/0 Main, and one for the 12AWG meter conductor?

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Two sort of separate issues here IMO.

First, it's basically 110.3(B) and 110.3(A) issues. IMHO you can remove factory lugs that are bolted on with standard hardware and replace them with other *suitable* lugs or connectors. But an AHJ might start asking you for documentation. What I like about IPCs is you totally avoid that.

Second issue is your wire size difference; I don't think you're going to find lugs or connectors that accommodate both 3/0 and 12awg. So with most possible solutions you're going to have to have an intermediate wire size and then transition to the 12awg anyway. So why not just go with the IPCs, again.

If you can stack ring terminal connectors for both wire sizes in a manner that doesn't conflict with instructions for either, i.e. they can both go on the same threaded stud size, both seated flat and properly and so on, then maybe you save a bit on material but you still have the potential AHJ issue.

 

[solarken]

Two sort of separate issues here IMO.

First, it's basically 110.3(B) and 110.3(A) issues. IMHO you can remove factory lugs that are bolted on with standard hardware and replace them with other *suitable* lugs or connectors. But an AHJ might start asking you for documentation. What I like about IPCs is you totally avoid that.

Second issue is your wire size difference; I don't think you're going to find lugs or connectors that accommodate both 3/0 and 12awg. So with most possible solutions you're going to have to have an intermediate wire size and then transition to the 12awg anyway. So why not just go with the IPCs, again.

If you can stack ring terminal connectors for both wire sizes in a manner that doesn't conflict with instructions for either, i.e. they can both go on the same threaded stud size, both seated flat and properly and so on, then maybe you save a bit on material but you still have the potential AHJ issue.

Yeah, the large difference in wire size is a challenge. I did find inline fuseholders with crimp connections that can accomodate 12 to 8AWG, so using those, I could go with 8AWG from stud terminal to the fuseholder, and 12AWG out of the fuseholder to the meter.

SolarEdge should have designed the wiring box for the TRI-Synergy inverter with room for the DIN-mounted meter, and with some small terminals to connect the voltage sense. It's rediculous that this inverter can't be purchased with a revenue grade meter built in or easily added. My residential customers don't care about the RECs, but commercial customers do.

Thanks for the responses.