Smart junction box for a photovoltaic system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for a smart junction box comprising:
- a first set of switches connected across input terminals adapted for connection to output terminals of a plurality of photovoltatic (PV) modules;
a plurality of diodes connected across input terminals of each respective switch in the first set of switches;
at least one reverse current detection device on at least one output terminal of the smart junction box;
a second set of switches to selectively disconnect and short circuit output terminals of the smart junction box when a reverse current is detected, and wherein at least one switch of the second set of switches is located across the output terminals; and
a controller controlling the first and second set of switches.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a smart junction box including: a first set of switches connected across input terminals adapted for connection to output terminals of a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules, a plurality of diodes connected across input terminals of each respective switch in the first set of switches, at least one reverse current detection device on at least one output terminal of the smart junction box, a second set of switches to selectively disconnect and short circuit output terminals of the smart junction box when a reverse current is detected, and wherein at least one switch of the second set of switches is located across the output terminals, a controller for controlling the first and second set of switches.
59 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for a smart junction box comprising:
-
a first set of switches connected across input terminals adapted for connection to output terminals of a plurality of photovoltatic (PV) modules; a plurality of diodes connected across input terminals of each respective switch in the first set of switches; at least one reverse current detection device on at least one output terminal of the smart junction box; a second set of switches to selectively disconnect and short circuit output terminals of the smart junction box when a reverse current is detected, and wherein at least one switch of the second set of switches is located across the output terminals; and a controller controlling the first and second set of switches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A system for a smart junction box:
-
a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules; a power converter; a smart junction box, the smart junction box coupled between the plurality of PV modules and the power converter, wherein the smart junction box comprises; a first set of switches connected across input terminals adapted for connection to output terminals of the plurality of PV modules; a plurality of diodes connected across input terminals of each respective switch in the first set of switches; at least one reverse current detection device on at least one output terminal of the smart junction box; a second set of switches to selectively disconnect and short circuit output terminals of the smart junction box when a reverse current is detected, and wherein at least one switch of the second set of switches is located across the output terminals; and a controller controlling the first and second set of switches. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of electrical bypass using a smart junction box comprising:
-
coupling a smart junction box across output terminals of a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules; monitoring input current across input terminals adapted for connection to the output terminals of the plurality of PV modules; controlling via a controller a first and second set of switches; selectively controlling the first set of switches coupled across the input terminals, and a plurality of diodes connected across input terminals of each respective switch in the first set of switches; measuring reverse current with at least one current measurement device on at least one output terminal of the smart junction box; and controlling a second set of switches to selectively disconnect and short circuit output terminals of the smart junction box, wherein at least one switch of the second set of switches is located across the output terminals. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification