Hello.. I got a Deye hybrid inverter, for now I don't have panels as yet. My installer put a auto changeover switch(attached pic) which switches automatically when grid is lost.

That works perfectly. Only challenge when in grid mode(I.e, Eskom is there) my inverter does not show any usages of grid or house. Surely this is not correct? How do I get usages to show on my inverter when grid is there? 

Hi @Solarcrazy

Has he installed the switch with the Source A & Source B lights working? The red & green lights indicate the available power? 

 

Is this auto changeover before or after the inverter?

The reason you would want a change over switch normally, is to bypass the inverter for maintenance purposes. For this purpose you would want a manual changeover, or set your one to manual function.

Another reason to have it is to select between Eskom or Generator input on the main feed, if the AUX port is set-up for something else besides Generator input.

On 2022/06/04 at 7:43 PM, Solarcrazy said:

Only challenge when in grid mode(I.e, Eskom is there) my inverter does not show any usages of grid or house. Surely this is not correct? How do I get usages to show on my inverter when grid is there?

This will more than likely be a problem with the CT coil placement. First check the installer has indeed installed the CT coil. Then make sure it is after non-essential loads, and just before the Eskom / Municipal meter. You will need to check the direction of the CT coil too. 👍

Don't understand what he tried to do here. The inverter kicks in automatically when the grid is lost - no need for automated change over. What you need is a manual changeover to be able to effectively control and isolate energy sources.

8 hours ago, Steve87 said:

Hi @Solarcrazy

Has he installed the switch with the Source A & Source B lights working? The red & green lights indicate the available power? 

 

Yes, both lights are working, A he connected Eskom and B the inverter

7 hours ago, TimCam said:

Is this auto changeover before or after the inverter?

The reason you would want a change over switch normally, is to bypass the inverter for maintenance purposes. For this purpose you would want a manual changeover, or set your one to manual function.

Another reason to have it is to select between Eskom or Generator input on the main feed, if the AUX port is set-up for something else besides Generator input.

This will more than likely be a problem with the CT coil placement. First check the installer has indeed installed the CT coil. Then make sure it is after non-essential loads, and just before the Eskom / Municipal meter. You will need to check the direction of the CT coil too. 👍

"This will more than likely be a problem with the CT coil placement. First check the installer has indeed installed the CT coil. Then make sure it is after non-essential loads, and just before the Eskom / Municipal meter. You will need to check the direction of the CT coil too. 👍", How do you check if the CT coil is connected in the correct direction? 

51 minutes ago, Scubadude said:

Don't understand what he tried to do here. The inverter kicks in automatically when the grid is lost - no need for automated change over. What you need is a manual changeover to be able to effectively control and isolate energy sources.

Aaaha, so the deye has a built in changeover to battery when Eskom is lost...and what I am reading here the CT is the key to this?  Is this correct....

Yes.  The auto changeover is a workable solution for a generator or off-grid inverter.  But the Deye is a hybrid model, i.e. it seamlessly changes from grid-tied to off-grid as and when requried. 

16 minutes ago, Scubadude said:

Yes.  The auto changeover is a workable solution for a generator or off-grid inverter.  But the Deye is a hybrid model, i.e. it seamlessly changes from grid-tied to off-grid as and when requried. 

And the CT coil is the key to this? 

Just now, Solarcrazy said:

And the CT coil is the key to this? 

Not really ... the invereter senses supply and load and balances everything.  The purpose of the CT coil is to stop backfeeding into the grid. 

This inverter does not need a transfer switch like this. Even if it did it is not wired correctly. Source A needs to be the Solar Plant and Source B needs to be the grid. These type of transfer switches are more appropriate for off grid installations like an Axpert inverter type. This particular Inverter is grid interactive so it is not a requirement. 

7 minutes ago, Steve87 said:

This inverter does not need a transfer switch like this. Even if it did it is not wired correctly. Source A needs to be the Solar Plant and Source B needs to be the grid. These type of transfer switches are more appropriate for off grid installations like an Axpert inverter type. This particular Inverter is grid interactive so it is not a requirement. 

Thanks for this, so I will ask the installer to remove it as not needed. 

The purpose of a changeover switch is to bypass the invert for maintenance of the inverter.

Under normal circumstances, the inverter will automatically internally changeover to use batteries to supply load in the event of grid loss.

Best to get a wiring diagram to confirm.

19 minutes ago, system32 said:

The purpose of a changeover switch is to bypass the invert for maintenance of the inverter.

Under normal circumstances, the inverter will automatically internally changeover to use batteries to supply load in the event of grid loss.

Best to get a wiring diagram to confirm.

Can this not be accomplished via breakers? I.e. switch off breakers that feed the inverter system in case of issue on the Solar side and eskom would then only be active?

5 hours ago, Solarcrazy said:

Can this not be accomplished via breakers? I.e. switch off breakers that feed the inverter system in case of issue on the Solar side and eskom would then only be active?

Something like this simplified diagram:

The changeover is to bypass the inverter so that the loads can continue to receive grid power in the event of a problem with the iinverter

 

Edited June 6, 20224 yr by system32

7 minutes ago, system32 said:

Something like this:

 

Great, thank you,. and where does the CT coil go?

11 minutes ago, Solarcrazy said:

Great, thank you,. and where does the CT coil go?

This is a simplified diagram and does not include all possibilities.
Best you read the 8.8k installer manual - Section 4.10. Installing the CT Coil
https://www.sunsynk.org/manuals
SunSynk & Deye are essentially the same inverter.

Edited June 6, 20224 yr by system32

3 hours ago, Solarcrazy said:

Great, thank you,. and where does the CT coil go?

From the Sunsynk manual, it is placed upstream of any loads that receive power between the grid and the inverter, so "upstream" from "non-essential" loads:

On 2022/06/04 at 7:43 PM, Solarcrazy said:

Hello.. I got a Deye hybrid inverter, for now I don't have panels as yet. My installer put a auto changeover switch(attached pic) which switches automatically when grid is lost.

That works perfectly. Only challenge when in grid mode(I.e, Eskom is there) my inverter does not show any usages of grid or house. Surely this is not correct? How do I get usages to show on my inverter when grid is there? 

Just did a google on this device:
https://www.amazon.com/GAEYAELE-Automatic-Transfer-Electrical-Selector/dp/B07J6B55VS?th=1
https://e-glow.co.za/products/ats-toq5-63a-ac-2p-230vac-tomzn
It's an Automatic Transfer Switch to switch from Grid to Generator (Other Source) on power loss.
Can't see any reason to have one of these with a Deye inverter.
On the other hand a Manual Change Over/bypass Switch is often used to be able to do maintenance.

15 hours ago, Solarcrazy said:

How do you check if the CT coil is connected in the correct direction?

On the CT coil is an arrow, which must be facing the direction of power into the house, from Eskom / Municipal feed.

If this is pointing in the right direction, but flow is - negative, reverse the black and white wires in the inverter, from the CT coil.

Edited June 6, 20224 yr by TimCam

This is a good quality switch, but I think the intented application was wrong for this inverter. I use these for people that need UPS type of power. So there will be no interruptions of power. Because the Switch if wired correctly can switch fast enough and enable a UPS type of service. If source A (inverter) is lost for whatever reason the switch will always choose to stay powered so will Automatically switch to Source B (Eskom). 

At first thought this is great. However, for some this will lead you down a deceiving path. Lets just say for example the above is exactly what has happened. Inverter in fault mode and Eskom is in use as plan B. Then it loadsheds at 7pm. That means you will never have been aware that your inverter was not charging the battery and now you are in the dark. 

I have also on a rare occasion had this switch blow a fuse on an inverter when the Grid power was restored after loadshedding. Maybe this was a surge from the Eskom side but I cant be sure. All I can say is that a manual switch is maybe a more wiser decision and this switch can also be used in a manual mode of operation. 

 

23 hours ago, YellowTapemeasure said:

From the Sunsynk manual, it is placed upstream of any loads that receive power between the grid and the inverter, so "upstream" from "non-essential" loads:

So I have a Deye inverter and NOT Sunsynk.. The attached links speaks of the earth bond contactor. I don't have the setting menu on my inverter he speaks of on my inverter. Therefore do I still need this piece of equipment? https://www.sunsynk.org/post/automatic-neutral-earth-bond

Edited June 7, 20224 yr by Solarcrazy

Got this from my Deye inverter manual. So it seems it does not need a earth bond relay as per Sunsynk setup?

 

Edited June 7, 20224 yr by Solarcrazy

I suggest you get another installer who has worked with these kind of inverters before.

3 hours ago, Solarcrazy said:

So I have a Deye inverter and NOT Sunsynk.. The attached links speaks of the earth bond contactor. I don't have the setting menu on my inverter he speaks of on my inverter. Therefore do I still need this piece of equipment? https://www.sunsynk.org/post/automatic-neutral-earth-bond

I don't know Dye, so I cannot comment on that, or their documentation, but they are the same hardware.

When your Deye is islanding (when the grid falls away), where is it getting its earth from? This typically comes from the earth neutral bond in the street box. 

Do a test on your RCD (earth leakage) next time there is loadshedding, and see if it works? If not, then you need an earth-neutral bridge relay that provides your islanding inverter with a (temporary) earth.