Xantrex power Inverter Stacking User manual

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Inverter Stacking
Control Series
(ISC-S) Cable
Installation Guide

Inverter Stacking Control Series (ISC-S)
Cable
Installation Guide

About Xantrex
Xantrex Technology Inc. is a world-leading supplier of advanced power electronics and controls with products from
50 watt mobile units to one MW utility-scale systems for wind, solar, batteries, fuel cells, microturbines, and backup
power applications in both grid-connected and stand-alone systems. Xantrex products include inverters, battery
chargers, programmable power supplies, and variable speed drives that convert, supply, control, clean, and distribute
electrical power.
Trademarks
Inverter Stacking Control – Series Cable is a trademark of Xantrex International. Xantrex is a registered trademark of
Xantrex International.
Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and product names are the property of their respective owners and are used
herein for identification purposes only.
Notice of Copyright
Inverter Stacking Control Series (ISC-S) Cable Installation Guide© January 2004 Xantrex International. All rights
reserved.
Disclaimer
UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AGREED TO IN WRITING, XANTREX TECHNOLOGY INC. (“XANTREX”)
(a) MAKES NO WARRANTY AS TO THE ACCURACY, SUFFICIENCY OR SUITABILITY OF ANY
TECHNICAL OR OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED IN ITS MANUALS OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION.
(b) ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE, WHETHER DIRECT,
INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL, WHICH MIGHT ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF SUCH
INFORMATION. THE USE OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION WILL BE ENTIRELY AT THE USER’S RISK.
Date and Revision
January 2004 Rev A
Part Number
975-0059-01-01 Rev A
Contact Information
Telephone: [phone] (toll free North America)
1 360 925 5097 (direct)
Fax: [phone] (toll free North America)
1 360 925 5143 (direct)
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.xantrex.com

975-0059-01-01 Rev A iii
About This Guide
Purpose
The purpose of this Installation Guide is to provide explanations and procedures
for installing the Inverter Stacking Control – Series Cable and provides
information regarding stacking two identical Sine Wave Plus inverters.
Scope
The Guide provides safety guidelines, detailed planning and setup information for
stacking inverters, and procedures for installing the ISC-S cable.
Audience
The Guide is intended for anyone who needs to install series-stacked, Sine Wave
Plus inverters using the Inverter Stacking Control – Series Cable. Installers should
be certified technicians or electricians.
Organization
This Guide is organized into three chapters.
Chapter 1, “Introduction” provides information on stacking of Sine Wave Plus
inverters.
Chapter 2, “Installation” provides information on installing the DC wiring, AC
Wiring, and the ISC-S for Sine Wave Plus inverters.
Chapter 3, “Operation”contains information on startup and functional testing
procedures for series-stacked Sine Wave Plus inverters.
Warranty and Product Information is provided at the end of the Guide.

About This Guide
iv 975-0059-01-01 Rev A
Conventions Used
The following conventions are used in this guide.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
The following acronyms and abbreviations are used in this guide:
Related Information
You can find more information about Xantrex Technology Inc. as well as its
products and services at www.xantrex.com
WARNING
Warnings identify conditions that could result in personal injury or loss of life.
CAUTION
Cautions identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to the unit or
other equipment.
Important: These notes describe things which are important for you to
know, but not as serious as a caution or warning.
AC Alternating Current
ASC Authorized Service Center
BTS Battery Temperature Sensor
DC Direct Current
DCCB DC Conduit Box
DVM Digital Voltage Meter
GSM Generator Start Module
ISC-S cable Inverter Stacking Control – Series Cable
Hz Hertz
RMA Return Material Authorization
Vac AC Voltage

975-0059-01-01 Rev A v
Important Safety Instructions
1. Before installing and using the ISC-S cable, read all instructions and
cautionary information in this guide.
2. Do not expose the ISC-S cable to rain, snow, spray, or water.
3. Use only attachments recommended or sold by the manufacturer. Doing
otherwise may result in a risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
4. Do not operate the ISC-S cable if it has been damaged in any way. If the ISC-
S cable is damaged, see the Warranty section.
5. Do not disassemble the ISC-S cable. It contains no user-serviceable parts. See
Warranty for instructions on obtaining service. Attempting to service the ISC-
S cable yourself will void your wawrranty.
6. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, disconnect both AC and DC power
from the inverters before attempting any maintenance or cleaning or working
on any circuits connected to the ISC-S cable. Turning off the inverters will not
reduce this risk.
WARNING
This chapter contains important safety and operating instructions. Read and keep this
Installation Guide for future reference.

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975-0059-01-01 Rev A vii
Important Safety Instructions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -v
1 Introduction
Stacking Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–2
The ISC-S Cable - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–5
2 Installation
DC Wiring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–2
Battery Requirements for Series-stacked Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–2
Battery-Bank Configuration for Series-stacked Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–2
Grounding Series-stacked Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–3
Connecting the Battery Bank to the Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–4
AC Wiring - General - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–6
Inverter AC Distribution Panel (Sub-Panel) Wiring (if used) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–6
Neutral Bonding - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–7
Grounding - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–7
AC Wiring - Specific - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–8
Off-Grid AC Wiring for Sine Wave Plus Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–8
On-Grid AC Wiring for Sine Wave Plus Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–10
Generator AC Wiring to Series-stacked Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–12
Wiring for a 240 Vac-Only Input Source - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–14
Connecting the ISC-S Cable - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–16
3 Operation
Start-up and Testing- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–2
Setting Changes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–4
Automatic and Manual Generator Control - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–4
Bulk and Float Charging Parameters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–4
Equalize Charging - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–4
Automatic Generator Equalize Charging - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–5
Manual Equalize Charging - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–5
Warranty and Return Information - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WA–1
Index - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IX–1
Contents

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975-0059-01-01 Rev A ix
Figure 1-1 Off-Grid Applications with Series-Stacked Inverters- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–3
Figure 1-2 On-Grid Applications with Series-stacked Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–4
Figure 1-3 Inverter Stacking Control – Series Cable (ISC-S cable) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–5
Figure 2-1 Example of Battery Connections for Series-stacked Inverters (24 Vdc shown) - - - - - - - 2–2
Figure 2-2 DC Grounding of Series-stacked Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–3
Figure 2-3 DC Connections for Dual Inverters, Series-stacked- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–5
Figure 2-4 AC Wiring for Series-stacked SW Plus Inverters Off Grid- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–9
Figure 2-5 AC Wiring for Series-stacked SW Plus Inverters OnGrid - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–11
Figure 2-6 Generator Wiring to Series-stacked SW Plus Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–13
Figure 2-7 AC Wiring for a 240 Vac-Only Input Source- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–15
Figure 2-8 The 25-pin D-connector on the ISC-S Cable - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–16
Figure 2-9 Stacking Port Locations on SW Plus Inverters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–16
Figure 2-10 The ISC-S Cable Connected to Dual Sine Wave Plus Inverters- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–17
Figure 3-1 Testpoints for Confirming Voltages - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–3
Figures

x

1Introduction
Chapter 1, “Introduction” provides information on stacking of Sine
Wave Plus inverters.
The following topics are covered in this chapter.
For this topic: See:
“Stacking Inverters” page 1–2
“The ISC-S Cable” page 1–5

Introduction
1–2 975-0059-01-01 Rev A
Stacking Inverters
Two identical, series-stacked, inverters can be connected together for the
following purposes.
• The voltage output of a single inverter is insufficient to power the 240 Vac
loads attached to the system;
• Multi-wire branch circuits exists in the current structure. Please see Appendix
F, “Multi-wire Branch Circuit Wiring”, in the Sine Wave Plus Owner’s
Manual for additional information.
Stacking inverters in a “series” configuration can double the output voltage at the
same current level as an individual inverter.
Series-stacking connects the neutral outputs of each inverter together and enables
the inverters to synchronize their hot outputs to be 180 degrees out-of-phase with
each other. This maintains the wattage output at the rated level, but doubles the
voltage output available, thereby allowing 240 Vac loads to be supported by the
system.
Example: Two series-stacked, Sine Wave Plus 4024 Vac inverters can run both
120 Vac and 240 Vac loads at 33 amps continuous output.
Stacking inverters in a series configuration requires the use of the Inverter
Stacking Control-Series (ISC-S) Cable.
Important: Inverter types and models must be identical for stacking
configurations. In other words, you can use two SW Plus 2548 inverters, or two
SW Plus 4048 inverters. You cannot stack a SW Plus 2548 with a SW Plus 4048.
Different types of inverters cannot be intermixed in a stacking configuration.
Models with 230 Vac, 50 Hz, output cannot be series-stacked.

Stacking Inverters
975-0059-01-01 Rev A 1–3
Figure 1-1 Off-Grid Applications with Series-Stacked Inverters

Introduction
1–4 975-0059-01-01 Rev A
Figure 1-2 On-Grid Applications with Series-stacked Inverters

The ISC-S Cable
975-0059-01-01 Rev A 1–5
The ISC-S Cable
Required accessory
cable Stacking two identical inverters requires the use of the Inverter Stacking Control – Series Cable (ISC-S cable). The ISC-S cable is a special cable specifically
designed for series-stacking two identical inverters. It consists of one 36-inch
stacking control cable with two 25-pin D connectors. It connects to the “Stacking
Ports” on the respective inverters and allows the AC output of two (identical)
inverters to provide both 120 and 240 Vac, 60 Hz.
CAUTION: Damage to Equipment
Do not use a standard computer cable in place of the ISC-S cable cable. This ISC-
S cable is custom made for Xantrex to allow series-stacking with the SW Plus
Inverter/charger. Look for the label as shown in Figure 1-3 to properly identify the
cable.
Use of any other cable may damage your inverters and will not be covered by
Warranty/ Repair.
Figure 1-3 Inverter Stacking Control – Series Cable (ISC-S cable)
Xantrex ISC-S Cable
CAUTION: This cable is designed
for series stacking of the SW,
SW Plus, or PS inverters only.
Use of any other cable may damage
your inverter and void it’s warranty.

1–6
What it
does The ISC-S cable provides communication between the two stacked inverters for two purposes.
• It provides synchronization information for inverting and charging.
• It provides a method for one inverter detecting an error condition to send a shut-
down command to the other inverter, to prevent a 240Vac load from only receiving
one leg of power.
What it
does not do The ISC-S cable does not allow programming or access to the display from one inverter to the other. If there are changes to the default setting necessary, each inverter must be
programmed separately. This includes selecting “On” in the “On/Off” menu.

2Installation
Chapter 2, “Installation” provides information on installing the
DC wiring, AC Wiring, and the ISC-S for Sine Wave Plus inverters.
The following topics are covered in this chapter.
For this topic: See:
“DC Wiring” page 2–2
“AC Wiring - General” page 2–6
“AC Wiring - Specific” page 2–8
“Connecting the ISC-S Cable” page 2–16

Installation
2–2 975-0059-01-01 Rev A
DC Wiring
The success of series-stacked, inverter systems is dependent on the quality and
maintenance of the DC connections. Stacked inverter sets are far less forgiving to
long, undersized, uneven, and/or poor connections than are single inverters.
Battery Requirements for Series-stacked Inverters
When inverters are “stacked” they must operate from a common battery bank. In
other words, the DC negative of one inverter must be common with the second
inverter and likewise for the DC positive.
For example:
If you have eight 6-volt batteries in a 24-volt configuration, they would be
arranged in two rows of four batteries (see Appendix C of the Sine Wave Plus
Owner’s Manual for diagrams of various arrangements). The negative ends of
the two “strings” of batteries must be jumpered together to become common
with each other. Likewise, the positive ends of the two “strings” must also be
jumpered together so that they are also common with each other.
Battery-Bank Configuration for Series-stacked Inverters
When using inverters in a stacked configuration, the same battery bank must be
used for both inverters. To ensure even charging of the batteries, each inverter
must be connected to both strings (i.e., positive cable to string two, and negative
cable to string one for inverter 1, and positive cable to string one and negative
cable to string two for inverter 2) as shown in Figure 2-1. In other words, a
separate positive (+) and negative (–) cable pair is required for each inverter in the
series-stacked configuration. This means there will be four battery cables from the
stacked inverters to the battery bank.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for the Sine Wave Plus to determine the correct size
and length of cable required.
Figure 2-1 Example of Battery Connections for Series-stacked Inverters
(24 Vdc shown)
DCconduitfor
L2 Inverter
–+
12 Volt
Battery
200 Ah
–+
12 Volt
Battery
200 Ah
+–12 Volt
Battery
200 Ah
Series String 1
Series String 2
DC conduit for
L1 Inverter
24 Vdc/200 Ah
24 Vdc/200 Ah
–+
12 Volt
Battery
200 Ah
Series-strings
w
ired in Parallel
24Vdc/400 Ah