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Can i plugin gridtie inverter in anywhere in the house?

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  • Can i plugin gridtie inverter in anywhere in the house?

    After connecting solar panels to a gridtie inverter can i plugin the output of the inverter anywhere in the house where there is a socket connected to the grid?

  • #2
    Not anywhere in the US that uses the NEC (which is pretty well everywhere).

    Its big hint that the inverter you are thinking of buying has plug in cord is completely illegal for use in the US. Just because its sold on Ebay or Amazon and claims its code complaint or rated, unless its UL 1741 inverter (possibly a 1741 SA, check with your utility) its illegal and potentially dangerous to use and a waste of money.

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    • #3
      You can't plug in anywhere, legally, in the USA. Power companies and insurance companies do not approve of this type of inverter.
      2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024

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      • #4
        Not legally in the USA

        {lug them into any room outlet, that you don't mind burning up. The power from the plug-in inverter gets added to the power the household breaker supplies, and any overload in daytime, may not trip the breaker, and instead start a fire. If someone is injured, restitution comes from your pocket, if someone dies in a fire or is electrocuted because the disconnected the legal source of power, it's manslaughter.
        Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
        || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
        || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

        solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
        gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

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        • #5
          Not only are those "plug in" inverters not legal some are down right dangerous and tend to go up in flames. It would be a big mistake to use one.

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          • #6
            Suppose the socket is placed after the grid-meter and before the 1st mcb. Is is still not recommendable if the inverter is of good quality?
            Attached Files

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            • #7
              Not recommended, because none of the inverters are tested and approved for that sort of use in the USA.

              Additionally, many of the cheap knockoffs, have poor efficiency. Modern GT Inverters are >95% efficient
              Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
              || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
              || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

              solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
              gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

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              • #8

                Ok thanks, i will search for one
                Last edited by fivewin; 02-26-2018, 04:19 AM.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by fivewin View Post
                  Suppose the socket is placed after the grid-meter and before the 1st mcb. Is is still not recommendable if the inverter is of good quality?
                  Nope, still a problem, and you are still at risk of overload.

                  Let me anticipate the next question - "But suppose I use a dedicated circuit with only one outlet and plug it in there?" Then yes, that could prevent the risk of overloads. However, people don't use them like that - if they were going to run a dedicated line they'd just hardwire the inverter. When you see inverters offered with NEMA 5-15 plugs they are intended to plug into a traditional daisychain circuit, and people use them like that. And 80% of the time they work OK. But the other 20% of the time involves overloads, unreliable operation, overheating of wiring devices, blown breakers and yes, sometimes fires.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by jflorey2 View Post
                    .
                    and yes, sometimes fires.

                    With all the liability that comes with them. Your Insurance co. will drop you like a hot potato if they discover you have been using one of these inverters. It's their job to find things reasons to decline coverage.
                    2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024

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