Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for signaling partial shadowing within a PV generator including at least two partial PV generators connected in parallel. The method includes performing a reference impedance measurement on each of the at least two partial PV generators in a state of uniform irradiation of the PV generator, and determining at least one reference resonant property of each of the at least two partial PV generators from the reference impedance measurement. Furthermore, impedance measurements are carried out on the at least two partial PV generators at a first operating point of the PV generator during operation of the PV generator. Resonant properties of the partial PV generators are determined from the impedance measurements. Partial shadowing within the PV generator is detected and signaled if a difference between the resonant properties of the partial PV generators at the first operating point differs from a difference between the reference resonant properties of the partial PV generators.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a circuit arrangement for suppressing an arc occurring during a switching process, wherein a current bypass path comprises a PTC resistor connected in series with a fuse. The current bypass path is provided in parallel with a switch. The disclosure also relates to a photovoltaic power plant with a photovoltaic generator which is connected to an inverter via DC lines. In this arrangement, such a circuit arrangement is arranged in at least one of the DC lines.

Abstract: A method of detecting an arc fault in a power circuit includes injecting an AC-signal into the power circuit and measuring a response signal that is related to the injected AC-signal in the power circuit. The method further includes determining a frequency response of the power circuit from the response signal, analyzing the frequency response, and identifying a preferred frequency. A signal related to AC-current flowing in the power circuit within the preferred frequency range is measured and an occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is signaled depending on the measured signal. A system for detecting an arc fault is designed to perform a method as described before.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for localizing and quenching an arc in a PV generator of a PV system, wherein the PV generator includes at least two PV subgenerators. An arc quenching circuit is associated with each PV subgenerator. The method includes detecting an arc in the PV generator. Then, a probability value is determined for each of the PV subgenerators, wherein the probability value is correlated with a probability that the arc is located in the corresponding PV subgenerator. A sequence for activating the arc quenching circuits is then determined that is dependent on the determined probability values. Then, the arc quenching circuits are activated successively in the order of the determined sequence.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus including a multi-part housing to be assembled around two lines and conducting a power current generated by a solar module, and an electric circuitry arranged within the housing. The apparatus further includes connection devices for connecting the electric circuitry to the two lines such that at least one component of the electric circuitry is connected in parallel to the solar module. The connection devices include insulation displacement terminals which electrically contact the two lines, and at least one cutting blade made of an electrically insulating material cutting through at least one of the two lines in assembling the multi-part housing.

Abstract: A method for leakage current compensation in a photovoltaic system includes determining a reference current flowing from at least one current-carrying line under voltage via a capacitor to earth, and generating a compensation current, having a phase and a frequency of the reference current, and having an amplitude adjusted by a negative scaling factor based on the reference current. The method further includes determining a current sum using a differential current sensor for at least a portion thereof, wherein the addends of the current sum are the currents through a complete set of current-carrying lines and the compensation current, minimizing the determined current sum by adjusting the scaling factor, and routing the compensation current through at least one other differential current sensor, such that the compensation current compensates a leakage current component of a differential current monitored by the other differential current sensor. A related device and system is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a circuit arrangement for in-line supply of voltage to an electrical or electronic apparatus located in the region of a DC line, a parallel circuit of two diodes oriented in anti-parallel is arranged in the line. When a direct current is flowing between terminals of the circuit arrangement, the anti-parallel diodes permit a small voltage drop between the terminals, irrespective of the direction of flow of the current, which voltage drop is limited to the forward voltage of the diode that is currently forward biased. The voltage drop across the anti-parallel diodes is tapped by a supply subcircuit. A semiconductor switch can be connected in parallel with the anti-parallel diodes, which switch is controlled by a voltage-reduction subcircuit to minimize the power dissipation of the circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A method for determining a maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic generator (PV) by variation of at least one parameter of search voltage and search current, within a maximally searchable search area on a power/voltage curve is disclosed. The method includes initializing by defining a start point with a start voltage and a start current, searching for the maximum power point (MPP) in at least one search direction by repeated variation of the search voltage or search current in the search area taking account of at least two limiting conditions for limiting the search area, wherein at least one of the limiting conditions for limiting the search area are is determined with evaluation of parameters provided in an operating state already attained during the search, and ending the search if one of the at least two limiting conditions for limiting the search area is met.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inverter with at least one DC input for connecting to an energy producing device and/or an energy store and with a multiphase AC output for connecting to a local energy distribution network, which is coupled to a likewise multiphase master energy supply network via a switching device.

Abstract: The method of detecting an arc fault in a power circuit includes determining a first signal related to current flowing in the power circuit is determined and analyzing the first signal to determine whether the signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit. In case the first signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit, means for suppressing an electric arc are activated. A second signal related to current flowing in the power circuit is then determined and analyzed. An occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is signaled if the second signal does not indicate the presence of an electric arc. The system for detecting an arc fault is designed to perform a corresponding method.

Abstract: A method for detecting an arc fault in a photovoltaic power circuit includes operating a photovoltaic generator at a first working point. A first signal related to a DC-current and/or a DC-voltage in the power circuit is determined. The first signal is analyzed and it is determined whether the signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit. If so, the photovoltaic generator is operated at a second working point and a second signal related to the DC-current and/or the DC-voltage is determined. The first and second signals are then compared; and the occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is selectively signaled based on the comparison.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for localizing and quenching an arc in a PV generator of a PV system, wherein the PV generator includes at least two PV subgenerators. An arc quenching circuit is associated with each PV subgenerator. The method includes detecting an arc in the PV generator. Then, a probability value is determined for each of the PV subgenerators, wherein the probability value is correlated with a probability that the arc is located in the corresponding PV subgenerator. A sequence for activating the arc quenching circuits is then determined that is dependent on the determined probability values. Then, the arc quenching circuits are activated successively in the order of the determined sequence.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus including a multi-part housing to be assembled around two lines and conducting a power current generated by a solar module, and an electric circuitry arranged within the housing. The apparatus further includes connection devices for connecting the electric circuitry to the two lines such that at least one component of the electric circuitry is connected in parallel to the solar module. The connection devices include insulation displacement terminals which electrically contact the two lines, and at least one cutting blade made of an electrically insulating material cutting through at least one of the two lines in assembling the multi-part housing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for signaling partial shadowing within a PV generator including at least two partial PV generators connected in parallel. The method includes performing a reference impedance measurement on each of the at least two partial PV generators in a state of uniform irradiation of the PV generator, and determining at least one reference resonant property of each of the at least two partial PV generators from the reference impedance measurement. Furthermore, impedance measurements are carried out on the at least two partial PV generators at a first operating point of the PV generator during operation of the PV generator. Resonant properties of the partial PV generators are determined from the impedance measurements. Partial shadowing within the PV generator is detected and signaled if a difference between the resonant properties of the partial PV generators at the first operating point differs from a difference between the reference resonant properties of the partial PV generators.

Abstract: A method includes searching for a point of maximum power based on a systematic load variation, setting the point of maximum power as the operating point of the photovoltaic generator, and tracking the operating point based on a load variation with a narrow variation range. The method also includes analyzing operating variables of the photovoltaic generator to determine the level of probability that the operating point deviates from the point of maximum power, selectively interrupting the tracking and carrying out another search to determine the point of maximum power as a function of the analysis of the operating variables, and setting the point of maximum power as the operating point, and resuming the tracking. The method further takes into account previous searches carried out in the presence of comparable operating variables to determine the probability.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a circuit arrangement for suppressing an arc occurring during a switching process, wherein a current bypass path comprises a PTC resistor connected in series with a fuse. The current bypass path is provided in parallel with a switch. The disclosure also relates to a photovoltaic power plant with a photovoltaic generator which is connected to an inverter via DC lines. In this arrangement, such a circuit arrangement is arranged in at least one of the DC lines.

Abstract: A method for detecting an arc fault in a photovoltaic power circuit includes operating a photovoltaic generator at a first working point. A first signal related to a DC-current and/or a DC-voltage in the power circuit is determined. The first signal is analyzed and it is determined whether the signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit. If so, the photovoltaic generator is operated at a second working point and a second signal related to the DC-current and/or the DC-voltage is determined. The first and second signals are then compared; and the occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is selectively signaled based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of detecting an arc fault in a power circuit includes injecting an AC-signal into the power circuit and measuring a response signal that is related to the injected AC-signal in the power circuit. The method further includes determining a frequency response of the power circuit from the response signal, analyzing the frequency response, and identifying a preferred frequency. A signal related to AC-current flowing in the power circuit within the preferred frequency range is measured and an occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is signaled depending on the measured signal. A system for detecting an arc fault is designed to perform a method as described before.

Abstract: The method of detecting an arc fault in a power circuit includes determining a first signal related to current flowing in the power circuit is determined and analyzing the first signal to determine whether the signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit. In case the first signal indicates the presence of an electric arc in the power circuit, means for suppressing an electric arc are activated. A second signal related to current flowing in the power circuit is then determined and analyzed. An occurrence of an arc fault in the power circuit is signaled if the second signal does not indicate the presence of an electric arc. The system for detecting an arc fault is designed to perform a corresponding method.

Abstract: A protective device for a photovoltaic system includes at least one input for connection to a photovoltaic generator and at least one output for delivery of an electric power supplied from the photovoltaic generator. The protective device includes a detection device for a signal applied via the at least one output, and is configured to provide a low level-limited voltage at the at least one output if an applied signal does not meet a predetermined criteria, and is further configured to connect the at least one output with low resistance to the at least one input via a switching device if the applied signal meets the predetermined criteria.