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Operation
4.7 Protections, Faults & Alarms
The TS-MPPT-600V-TR protections and automatic recovery are important features that ensure
the safe operation of the system. Additionally, the TS-MPPT-600V-TR features real-time self
diagnostics that report Fault and Alarm conditions as they occur.
Faults are events or conditions that require the TS-MPPT-600V-TR to cease operation. A Fault
usually occurs when a limit such as voltage, current, or temperature has been surpassed. Fault
conditions are indicated with unique LED sequences and are also displayed on a TriStar Meter,
and in MSView software.
Alarms are events or conditions that may require the TS-MPPT-600V-TR to modify operation.
Alarms are commonly used to alert the user that the controller is nearing a specific voltage, cur
-
rent, or temperature limit. Alarm conditions are only displayed on a TriStar Meter, and in MSView
software.
Some basic Fault and Alarm conditions are reviewed below.
Protections
Solar Overload
The TS-MPPT-600V-TR will limit battery current to the
Maximum Battery Current
rating. See
Figure 9-1 - Battery Current vs. Array Voltage de-rating graph - in Section 9.0. An over-sized
solar array will not operate at peak power. The solar array power should be less than the
TS-MPPT-600V-TR
Nominal Maximum Input Power
rating for optimal performance.
Solar High Input Voltage
As the array open-circuit voltage approaches the 600 volt maximum input voltage limit, solar
input current will be limited.
High Temperature
The TS-MPPT-600V-TR will limit the solar input current if the heatsink temperature exceeds safe
limits. Solar charge current will be tapered back (to 0 amps if needed) to reduce the heatsink
temperature.
Faults
Remote Temperature Sensor Failure (R+Y / G+Y)
If a fault in the RTS (such as a short circuit, open-circuit, loose terminal) occurs after the RTS has
been working, the LEDs will indicate a failure. However, if the controller is restarted with a failed
RTS, the controller may not detect that the RTS is connected, and the LEDs will not indicate a
problem. A TriStar meter or the PC software can be used to determine if an RTS is detected and
working properly.
