Open AccessSelecting and sizing transformer and AC cable for PV system's safe and reliable operation
Author(s) -
Syed Irtaza M.,
Ullah Mukhtar,
Ikram Ataul Aziz,
Aman Muhammad Naveed
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international transactions on electrical energy systems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.428
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2050-7038
DOI - 10.1002/2050-7038.12200
Subject(s) - tripping , transformer , reliability engineering , photovoltaic system , sizing , engineering , automotive engineering , computer science , electrical engineering , voltage , circuit breaker , art , visual arts
Summary Single phase loss (SPL) and nuisance tripping are common causes of disrupting the safe and reliable operation of utility interactive photovoltaic (PV) systems. A missed SPL may degrade and damage equipment as well as put utility repair crew in danger. Similarly, nuisance tripping may result in generation and revenue loss. Hence, it is critical for PV systems to detect SPL and take corrective actions (in the form of anti‐islanding) while minimizing erroneous tripping. However, PV systems can miss SPL and trip erroneously if not properly designed by carefully considering the transformer and alternating current (AC) cable from the inverter to the point of common coupling (PCC). To solve this issue, this paper proposes a design procedure to select and size transformer and AC cable for successful detection of SPL while ensuring minimum nuisance tripping of PV systems. The outlined design procedure is validated through MATLAB/Simulink simulations and field tests of 30‐ and 220‐kW utility interactive PV systems. Results show that the outlined procedure can successful detect SPL and minimize nuisance tripping, ie, improving safety and increasing revenue.