GoodWe, a leading provider of solar inverters, has introduced its new-generation Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI), validated by TÜV Rheinland, to address DC arcing faults in photovoltaic (PV) systems. By integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI), this technology detects arcing with remarkable precision. It boasts an arc detection distance of 200m and achieves a rapid shutdown within 500ms. In collaboration with TÜV Rheinland, GoodWe has also released a whitepaper focusing on the safety concerns associated with DC arcing in PV installations.
The significant risk of electrical fires in PV systems due to DC arcing faults has become more prominent as the newly installed PV capacity reached approximately 240GW in 2022 and continues to rise. Recognizing this issue, GoodWe has pushed the boundaries of AFCI innovation to safeguard PV systems, in line with major market standards such as UL1699B and IEC63027.
TÜV Rheinland confirmed that GoodWe’s AFCI complies with technical market standards for dealing with DC arc faults within PV systems in residential, commercial and industrial scenarios, after a comprehensive evaluation.
Distinguished from traditional detecting approach that relies on personal experience, GoodWe’s new AFCI incorporates AI and deep learning to learn and analyze arc characteristics in various scenarios. This enables the creation of an arc characteristics library, eliminating false and omitted reports caused by environmental noise. GoodWe’s PV systems integrated with this AFCI function can achieve precise detection accuracy, as validated by TÜV Rheinland.
The advanced AFCI constantly searches for arc characteristics, and upon detecting a fault, the PV system will switch off the power supply within 500ms, surpassing the UL 1699B standard’s requirement of a 2.5s shutdown speed.
Furthermore, the AFCI supports a maximum detection cable length of up to 200m and can withstand a maximum input current of up to 30A, making it ideal for larger PV installations.
“We assess the performance of AFCI solutions through rigorous testing and evaluation, hoping it helps customers select the most suitable and reliable AFCI solution for their solar systems.” Stated Mario Comboni, Product Manager from TÜV Rheinland Group. “It is plausible that AFCI technology will be regulated in most European countries in the future. By releasing the white paper, we hope to contribute to shaping the future regulatory landscape and fostering the adoption of harmonized standards globally.”
“For the past five years, we have been dedicated to developing AFCI technology and leading the market in innovating advanced AFCI function. GoodWe’s new AFCI technology not only meets the standard requirements but also offers additional features and enhanced functionality.” said Ali Bouattour, Technical Director at GoodWe Europe GmbH. “We have made substantial investments in research and development to strengthen our technical capacity for long-term success. Looking forward, we will continue our collaborations with partners to deliver optimized solutions.”
PHOTO: Ali Bouattour from GoodWe, pictured left, and Mario Comboni from TÜV Rheinland.