Reasons Micro Inverter Stops Working
Micro inverters are an excellent choice if you seek a cost-efficient and reliable option to fulfil your target needs. Nevertheless, dysfunction is something every other household faces because of a lack of information.
If you are also one of those, don't worry—we have got your back. Keep on reading, and the forthcoming content will explain a few reasons micro inverters stop working and ways to prevent and fix them.
Top 8 reasons micro inverter stops working
Internal issues, temperature, excessive usage, and failures at the DC terminal are some potential reasons your inverter might stop working. Let's explore each of these to better understand them.
1. Failures at the DC terminal
An extensive range of problems can cause a failure at the DC terminal. These include suboptimal connections with the panel or physical damage to solar panels. In addition, the natural wear and tear of time can also cause the failure of DC inverters.
In such a case, you can not repair the fault by yourself because inverters contain harsh chemicals that, when in contact with your skin, can create diverse problems. Hence, it is better to leave the task to the professionals.
2. Internal issues
Micro inverters are composed of similar components. However, due to their compact design, all of the internal wiring is thinner and more fragile than normal. The same is why the strength of the wiring is weaker, which can become dysfunctional at any time.
If your inverter stops working, open its body and look for damaged wires. If you find any, replace them with new ones. The seller can provide information about the type of wiring.
If none of the wires seems broken, they might have loosened up. So, check with your hands in safety gloves. If you find any wire loose, tighten it right away.
3. Temperature
Temperature is one of the most common causes of micro inverters stopping to work. Remember, solar panels are meant to be placed outside of the house, in a room-temperature environment.
Hence, when the temperature goes above or lower their bearing capacity, the inverter stops working. The common range for a microinverter to work without difficulty is from -10 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius.
Hence, ensure that the inverter is placed where the temperature is within this limit.
4. Excessive usage
In addition to climatic changes, excessive usage can also cause a change in temperature. Whenever you plug in the inverter, the internal machinery starts to work, creating heat. This heat slowly raises the temperature of the overall inverter.
When a micro inverter's temperature reaches 50 degrees Celsius, its performance starts to deteriorate. If you do not unplug the inverter at this step, the heat will continue to increase, causing the microinverter to stop working completely.
The simple way to check if your inverter has stopped working is to touch your body and observe if it feels hot. If it does, unplug the hardware right away and wait for it to cool down for a few hours.
5. Insufficient voltage
The operating voltage capacity of a micro-inverter usually lies between 100V and 500V. When the supplied voltage falls below this minimum threshold, the inverter stops working as it does not get sufficient current to pass.
You can check the capacity of your inverter from the box or by asking the manufacturer. To get it back to working condition, make sure to connect it to the correct power supply.
6. Firmware or software issues
Micro inverters rely on firmware and different software to keep working. When dysfunctional software is attached, or the new one becomes outdated due to all the latest optimization, performance can deteriorate.
In addition, multiple software issues, ranging from bugs to errors, can cause a micro inverter to stop working.
If you don't want to encounter such a situation, regularly check your inverter and install the firmware updates as directed by your manufacturer in a timely manner.
These updates can contain critical improvements and significant bug fixes, so do not forget to install these from time to time.
7. Grid compatibility issues
Micro inverters must synchronize with the local grid systems to work. If the frequency and voltage frequently fluctuate, the inverter might stop working. In addition, if you have unknowingly purchased an inverter that does not adhere to your grid regulations, it won't work.
So, make sure to purchase an inverter that is compatible with your grid type. You can check the inverter specifications and match them with the requirements of your system before purchasing.
If it does not match, consider giving that specific hardware a miss and consider another option. Additionally, make sure to reconfigure the inverter setting by consulting the manufacturer of your compatible model.
8. Manufacturing defects
Last yet, a frequently suffered reason for a microinverter to stop working is manufacturing defects. Despite the quality control measures, some inverters might get defects during the manufacturing process.
These can lead to multiple issues, like reduced efficiency, operational issues, or a complete failure of the inverter's performance.
If you suspect any such issues, check if your inverter is still under warranty. If it is, contact the manufacturer and report your issue. Bring all the documentation to them and avail yourself of warranty service.
How can the micro-inverter be prevented from working?
Whilst there are multiple ways to fix the issue, the only way to avoid those is by purchasing it from a renowned source.
A trusted and reliable source like Innotinum always ensures that you pass through each device under multiple quality checks so that the device you get is 100% flawless and stays with you for at least a decade.
In addition, all of the inverters come with an extensive range of safety features and guarantees to help you feel confident about your choice.
Conclusion
On the bottom line, micro inverters are a great device if you seek to power specialized needs. Nevertheless, there could be an extensive range of causes of micro inverters not working, of which we have mentioned the most significant in the article above.