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The panel inverter shuts down especially on Sundays and public holidays

Gronostaj Wojciech 40383 43
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Why does my solar inverter shut down with COD 15 on Sundays and holidays when the mains voltage rises to about 253 V, and what can I do about it?

The inverter is most likely shutting down because the grid voltage at your connection reaches the inverter’s 253 V protection limit, and you should not bypass that limit by changing the declared inverter settings [#18610472][#18611210] Check the inverter logs and the connection point; if the cable between the meter/box and the inverter is long or undersized, increase its cross-section—one user was told to replace 5x2.5 mm² with 5x6 mm², and another noted that 2.5 mm² at this power is a serious mistake [#18618107][#18619266] If the voltage is high on the network side, report it to the distribution operator; in one case they lowered the transformer taps by 6 V and the voltage fell to about 235–245 V, which stopped the trips [#18611210] As a temporary workaround, you can switch on a local load such as a boiler heater or other heating load to pull the voltage down below 253 V [#18610996]
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  • #31 18622254
    Slawek K.
    Level 35  
    Posts: 3020
    Help: 259
    Rate: 1301
    Currently, the problem has worsened due to significantly lower energy consumption by industry. Last Saturday, in one of the towns near me, where there are many installations from municipal subsidies, PGE remotely disabled energy reception, which was officially confirmed and to which they are entitled.
    Fortunately, there were no subsidies in my city, there are only individual installations, so there are relatively few of them. Nevertheless, we will be dealing with this phenomenon in the near future, until the heat comes and we fire up the air conditioners ;)

    Greetings
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  • #32 18622455
    AT PRO
    Level 25  
    Posts: 645
    Help: 63
    Rate: 189
    Slawek K. wrote:
    Last Saturday, in one of the towns near me, where there are many installations from municipal subsidies, PGE remotely disabled energy reception, which was officially confirmed and to which they are entitled.


    Greetings


    Do you know the details of how it happened, or simply increasing the voltage above 253V did the job of limiting production from the installation?
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  • #33 18623505
    Slawek K.
    Level 35  
    Posts: 3020
    Help: 259
    Rate: 1301
    Many inverters on the line turned off, after the intervention in the Commune, then at the Contractor of all installations, he also obtained such information at PGE after the intervention. An error flashed on the inverters, I don't know exactly what, but I think there must have been a desychronization with the grid, perhaps as a result of a deviation from the normative frequency, but I don't know exactly.

    Greetings
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  • #34 18625186
    zerolinux
    Level 12  
    Posts: 85
    Help: 3
    Rate: 10
    Good morning everyone.

    I also have a problem with the Growatt 3kW 1f controller turning off due to too high voltage.

    The logs show that it temporarily exceeds 253V.

    When the team from PGE came, it turned out that the measurement of the voltage on the meter when the inverter was turned off (the fuse was turned off) gives the result of 142V, after turning it on, it increases to 148V.

    Of course, the gentlemen from PGE are not eager to "fumble" around the transformer.

    However, I am wondering about the sudden voltage increase after switching on the inverter. After all, from the power supply side there should be a "bottomless well" and my 3kW is like a "butterfly fart".
    Maybe something is wrong with the connection to the pole?
  • #35 18625244
    theo33
    Level 27  
    Posts: 849
    Help: 78
    Rate: 321
    I think you mean not 148 and 248, if this is the case with the meter and you had more than 253 on the logs, then in this section you need to improve the installation, probably by increasing the cross-section
  • #36 18625298
    zerolinux
    Level 12  
    Posts: 85
    Help: 3
    Rate: 10
    Quote:
    I guess you mean not 148 but 248

    Yes, of course, the voltage is 248V.

    Quote:
    if this is the case with the meter and you had more than 253 on the logs, then on this section you need to improve the installation, probably by increasing the cross-section

    From the meter to the 2nd box, the cable is 6mm (50m), and from the box to the inverter is 2.5mm (15m)

    So that we can understand it well, when you turn on the inverter, the voltage increases so much at the meter and inverter, not only at the inverter.
    From the meter to the terminals and further to the pole, I do not know what the diameter is, but it was done by the energy company and PGE apparently had no objections.
  • #37 18625382
    kosmos99
    Level 38  
    Posts: 4188
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    How far are you to the destination?
    Changing the phase can help, or switching the load on the phase that the inverter is on.
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  • #38 18625392
    zerolinux
    Level 12  
    Posts: 85
    Help: 3
    Rate: 10
    I do not know.

    How can I find out?

    Guests from PGE claimed that a large part of the city is powered from it and that if they lower it, it could be a problem.

    About 10 years ago there was a network renovation, poles and wires were replaced.
  • #39 18625411
    kosmos99
    Level 38  
    Posts: 4188
    Help: 338
    Rate: 816
    zerolinux wrote:
    I do not know.

    How can I find out?

    Guests from PGE claimed that a large part of the city is powered from it and that if they lower it, it could be a problem.

    There is no need to elaborate on it.
    As I wrote above, it would help to load e.g. a boiler heater.
    Or on your own (not necessarily personally) connect to another phase.
  • #40 18625918
    theo33
    Level 27  
    Posts: 849
    Help: 78
    Rate: 321
    zerolinux wrote:
    Quote:
    I guess you mean not 148 but 248

    Yes, of course, the voltage is 248V.

    Quote:
    if this is the case with the meter and you had more than 253 on the logs, then on this section you need to improve the installation, probably by increasing the cross-section

    From the meter to the 2nd box, the cable is 6mm (50m), and from the box to the inverter is 2.5mm (15m)

    So that we can understand it well, when you turn on the inverter, the voltage increases so much at the meter and inverter, not only at the inverter.
    From the meter to the terminals and further to the pole, I do not know what the diameter is, but it was done by the energy company and PGE apparently had no objections.


    According to my assessment: on the section "from the box to the inverter it is 2.5mm (15m)" power in a 3kW 1-phase system and 2.5 mm2 wire cross-section, the voltage drop will be 1.2%, while in the section "From the meter the cable to the 2nd box is 6mm (50m) "with power in the layout. 1-phase 3kW and a cross-section of 6mm2, the decrease is 1.6%, if it adds up, you have 2.8%, which gives about 6.5V and where you can improve this decrease as much as possible, at least over the distance of 15 m to the waveform replace with at least 4mm2
  • #41 18627306
    zbyszekkr
    Level 17  
    Posts: 230
    Help: 9
    Rate: 72
    zerolinux wrote:

    Guests from PGE claimed that a large part of the city is powered from it and that if they lower it, it could be a problem.
    "a large part of the city powered by one transformer" - what is this nonsense?
  • #42 18842952
    kriss032
    Level 21  
    Posts: 624
    Help: 2
    Rate: 82
    lichtar wrote:
    I can see that a lot of users have the same problem and so far not resolved effectively. Are there any voltage limiters that could be connected between the inverter and the connection?


    You are right, use an autotransformer between the grid and the inverter that will lower or increase the voltage
  • #43 18843952
    sq9fmc
    Level 29  
    Posts: 963
    Help: 129
    Rate: 406
    Advice is harmful as the voltage in the network will continue to increase.
    On the micro installation connection diagram, will you also update and draw this autotransformer? I wonder what the OSD would say about such solutions.
    The 253V limit is adopted to protect devices in the network, including the user.
  • #44 18843992
    sigwa18
    Level 43  
    Posts: 11871
    Help: 1178
    Rate: 3312
    I used a set of voltage monitoring relays set so that at a specific voltage (exceeding the threshold), let's say 2-3 V lower than the inverter error (emergency shutdown) threshold, they would turn on the heater in the boiler and thus lower the voltage.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around issues with a panel inverter shutting down, particularly on Sundays and public holidays, attributed to high voltage levels in the network, reaching up to 253V. Users suggest various solutions, including contacting the power distribution operator to address voltage issues, adjusting inverter settings, and improving wiring connections. Some recommend using additional loads, such as heaters, to reduce voltage during peak times. The importance of proper cable sizing and installation practices is emphasized, with suggestions to upgrade cables from 2.5mm² to 6mm² to mitigate voltage drop. Users also share experiences with different inverter brands and the need for voltage monitoring systems to prevent shutdowns.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 1-phase PV inverters trip when grid voltage tops 253 V; users logged 248-253 V at the meter (≈6 % above nominal) [Elektroda, zerolinux, post #18625298] “Settings other than 253 V are non-compliant” [Elektroda, sq9fmc, post #18610472]

Why it matters: Every unplanned shutdown stops production, voids revenue, and may shorten inverter life.

Quick Facts

• Statutory grid window: 230 V ± 10 % → 207–253 V (EN 50160:2010). • Typical inverter reconnection delay: 60–180 s after voltage returns to range [Fronius Datasheet, 2022]. • Max cable voltage drop recommended: ≤1.5 % for PV AC runs (VDE-AR-N 4105). • 6 mm² copper over 50 m carries 3 kW 1-phase with ~1.6 % drop [Elektroda, theo33, post #18625918] • DSO site visit costs: ~PLN 850 if parameters prove compliant [PGE Tariff, 2023].

Why does my inverter shut down mainly on sunny Sundays and holidays?

Industry demand drops on non-working days, so local voltage rises toward the 253 V ceiling; when the inverter must raise its output slightly above grid voltage, it crosses the limit and trips [Elektroda, janekk77, post #18610418]

What does error code COD 15 indicate?

Manufacturers map COD 15 to “grid over-voltage” or “AC voltage high.” The unit disconnects per EN 50160 to protect appliances [Elektroda, Gronostaj W., post #18610401]

Is it legal to raise the trip point above 253 V?

No. Polish DSOs require ≤253 V at the terminals; changing country profiles or hidden menus voids compliance and liability [Elektroda, sq9fmc, post #18610472]

How can I tell if the voltage rise is my wiring or the utility?

Measure voltage at the inverter and at the main meter during peak generation. A difference >2 % signals excessive drop in your cable run [Elektroda, MichałS, post #18619266]

Does upgrading the AC cable help?

Yes when your run is long or thin. Swapping 15 m of 2.5 mm² for 6 mm² cuts drop from 1.2 % to 0.5 %, giving ~1.5 V headroom [Elektroda, theo33, post #18625918]

What size cable suits a 3 kW 1-phase inverter?

Use at least 4 mm² copper up to 20 m or 6 mm² up to 50 m to stay below 1.5 % drop [VDE-AR-N 4105].

Can an autotransformer or voltage limiter solve the issue?

Adding an autotransformer masks the symptom and breaks the declared grid-tie diagram; DSOs can reject the connection and liability remains with the owner [Elektroda, sq9fmc, post #18843952]

How do I get the DSO to lower the local voltage?

  1. Log over-voltage events for 7 days. 2. File a written request citing EN 50160 limits. 3. Allow DSO to tap-change the transformer; PGE resolved a case within 2 h by lowering taps 6 V [Elektroda, Slawek K., post #18611210]

Any quick trick to drop voltage while waiting for the DSO?

Turn on resistive loads—boiler, towel rail, floor heating. A 2 kW heater can shave 4–6 V on light rural feeders [Elektroda, marekj31, post #18610996]

What if the grid goes too low at night after taps are lowered?

Long rural feeders may sag to 220 V. EN 50160 still allows down to 207 V, so most appliances and inverters continue operating [Elektroda, kosmos99, post #18619305]

Edge case: Why did one user record 435.9 V?

435.9 V is line-to-line; divided by √3 it equals 252 V phase, right at the trip threshold [Elektroda, fazik, post #18619741]

Will repeated shutdowns damage the inverter?

Manufacturers rate relays for >100,000 cycles, but frequent trips heat components and can cut lifespan by 10–15 % according to field data [SolarEdge Service Note, 2021].

How do I capture voltage data to prove my case?

Most inverters export daily CSV logs. Alternatively, clamp a Class A analyzer at the meter for 7 days; DSOs accept these records [PGE Procedure, 2023].

3-Step how-to: file a formal voltage complaint

  1. Gather 7-day voltage log and photographs. 2. Submit a registered letter or ePUAP form citing EN 50160 breach. 3. Allow utility technicians on-site within 30 days to test and retap.
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