IMO Automation tells us its FireRaptor received UL PVRSS (Photovoltaic Rapid Shutdown System) listing on the Fronius Primo family of solar inverters under UL1741 guidelines.
IMO Automation worked closely with Fronius in achieving this listing as it required the development of an additional capacitance bleed circuit to dispel stored current upon Rapid Shutdown initiation. That product has also been certified as a PVRSE (Photovoltaic Rapid Shutdown Equipment) component by UL for use in the categories needed.
These new listings supplement IMO’s current UL listed FireRaptor offering for NEC 2017 & NEC 2020 compliance, thus further encompassing a complete agnostic solution for all inverters in the marketplace.
“Supporting efforts and inverter manufacturers in the market is key to enabling the continued growth of the industry when faced with progressive NEC regulatory requirements,” noted IMO Automation General Manager Joe Covington. “It is those partnerships and the comfort they have in approaching IMO for a safe and reliable Rapid Shutdown solution that sets us apart from the competition.”
How FireRaptor works
The FireRaptor is designed to be installed at solar panel level and provides safety shutdown of the DC supply to ZERO volts in case of emergency. Shutdown is initiated in 3 ways – Manual Operation by way of an emergency shutdown switch (which can be conveniently located at ground level for easy access), AC Supply Cut-Off, or a Temperature Rise Trigger.
The FireRaptor operates in the same way as a disconnect switch, making the FireRaptor compatible with all string inverters, and does not affect their operation or performance in any way. Additionally, the FireRaptor has been designed for fail-safe operation ensuring that once operated, subsequent damage to the FireRaptor (e.g. by fire) will not compromise the solar panel isolation and shutdown status. Indeed, the FireRaptor has been tested to destruction by TUV in Germany, maintaining full zero volt isolation throughout the test procedure.
Each FireRaptor operates two solar panels and is positioned behind the panels and attached to the panel mounting frame. The FireRaptor is rated at 700W, so is suitable for most types of solar panel currently available on the market.
IMO FireRaptors are connected in series using plug-and-play connectors and the signal cable is then taken to the Emergency Switch, which can be situated anywhere inside or outside the building. As soon as the Emergency Switch is activated, the FireRaptor “shuts-down” the solar panels by isolating all the DC cabling in the building right back to the rear of the panel installation. In a larger, multi-storey building, a number of Emergency Switch units can be located in multiple zones around the building, or on different floors as required.
— Solar Builder magazine
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