Patent ID: 8134812
Filing Date: 2012-03-13
Classification: G01R,H01H,H01L,H02H,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for interrupting a photovoltaic energy conversion system that employs a bipolar photovoltaic array, the apparatus comprising: a fault detector and interrupter configured to be coupled to the first and the second rails of the photovoltaic array, the fault detector and interrupter configured to detect a condition that requires interruption of the photovoltaic energy conversion system and open a PV tie to uncouple two PV arrays of the bipolar photovoltaic array, thereby decoupling the two PV arrays; and a controller configured to, after the PV tie is opened, open a plurality of main DC contactors thereby decoupling the bipolar photovoltaic array from a remainder portion of the energy conversion system.