SolarBOS AFCI Combiner Box

Quick Start Guide

SolarBOS
2019 Elkins Way
Brentwood, CA 94513
925-456-7744

www.solarbos.com

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 Revision History
Rev. No. Date By Description
1 13 Aug 2014 AM Preliminary Release
2 27 April 2015 AM Modbus Display, Timer Delay
3 26 August 2015 JP Menu Reorganization
4 5 May 2021 ZP Address, Misc. Updates

The Sensor Module

The AFCI Combiners include a sensor module located on top of the bus bar in between the fuse holders as
shown in Figure 1. The unit requires a 24V DC power supply available, separately from SolarBOS. This module
measures the current of each string and can communicate this information via Modbus/RS-485.

24VDC Input Wiring

The user must apply 24VDC at the provided terminals next to the disconnect switch as shown in Figure 1.
The user should plan to use 600mA for AFCI models and 100mA for AFD model combiner boxes.

USER MUST APPLY 24VDC AT

THE PROVIDED TERMINALS

PV IN (-)
PV IN (+)

PV OUT (-)

TARE/RESET
BUTTON

PV OUT (+)
PV IN (+)

Figure 1. The SolarBOS AFCI Combiner connection points.

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 Even-count CT Installation
The Current Transducer (CT) is installed in one of two ways: “even-count” and “odd-count”. The terms “even” and
“odd” refer to the total number of string inputs entering a given combiner box. Figure 2 shows an example of an
even-count string input installation. For example, if there are 10 strings, 5 enter the CT in one direction, while the
remaining 5 strings enter the CT from the other direction.

EVEN HALF OF
EVEN TOTAL STRINGS
NUMBER
OF
TOTAL
STRINGS

EVEN HALF OF
TOTAL STRINGS

Figure 2. CT installation for EVEN number of strings.

Odd-Count CT Installation
Figure 3 shows the top and bottom halves of an example odd-count CT installation. The lower half of the strings is
short one conductor. For the sensor board to work properly, the net amount of current flowing through the CT
aperture must be close to 0A. For example, if there are 11 strings, 6 enter the CT in one direction, while the
remaining 5 strings enter the CT from the other direction. Then, from the group of 5 strings, one string conductor
will have to loop twice through the CT.

EVEN HALF OF
ODD TOTAL STRINGS
NUMBER
OF
TOTAL
STRINGS ODD HALF OF
TOTAL STRINGS:
Loop only one
conductor twice

Figure 3. CT installation for ODD number of strings.

Terminating the strings to the fuseholders

Once the strings are routed through the CT as described above, they can be terminated to any fuseholder. The
user is recommended to perform the zero and calibration procedures via the pushbutton menu (next section).
NOTE: The board must be re-zeroed and re-calibrated if any of the following are true:
1. One or more strings have been removed from their respective fuseholder.
2. One or more new strings have been terminated to a previously unused fuseholder.
3. One or more strings have been moved from one fuseholder to another.

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 Accessing and navigating the menus
1. The menus are accessible only while the board is in RUN mode (green LED flashing). The board
automatically goes into RUN mode when the +24VDC input is power-cycled.
2. To enter the menu selection mode, press and hold the TARE/RESET button for ~3 seconds, then
release it when the red LED(s) flash.
3. Menus are indicated by their respective LEDs. Only LEDs1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 have an associated menu:
a. Ch. 1 light = Zero tare
b. Ch. 2 light = Set Modbus address (2-digit address)
c. Ch. 3 light = Operating calibration (TOTAL current measured with clamp ammeter, 3-digit value)
d. Ch. 4 light = Set reporting interval (instantaneous, 1-minute average, and 15-minute average)
e. Ch. 7 light = AFCI self-test
f. Ch. 8 light = Exit menu

Figure 4. Channel Light Map. LED1-8 double as menu indicators.

4. To select a menu, momentarily press the button to “scroll” through the menus. Scroll until the desired
menu indicator is illuminated.
5. To enter the selected menu, press and hold the button until the associated menu LED flashes, then
release the button.
a. For menus 1, 7, and 8, the function is executed immediately upon button release. No further user
action is required.
b. For menus 2, 3, and 4, refer to the individual menu instructions on the next page.

NOTE: For all menus, the board automatically returns to the RUN mode (green LED flashing) when that menu
function is completed.

Entering Modbus addresses

1. Enter the menu mode.
2. Enter the Set Modbus menu (LED2).
3. LED10 should light up solid, indicating the board is ready to accept the first digit.
a. Enter the address as a 2-digit number. Refer to the section titled “Entering individual digits…”
4. Use leading zeros for addresses <10.

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 Entering Operation Calibration values
1. Enter the menu mode.
2. Enter the Operation Calibration menu (LED3).
3. LED10 should light up solid, indicating the board is ready to accept the first digit.
a. Enter the known current as a 3-digit number. Refer to the section titled “Entering individual
digits…”
4. Use leading zeros for known currents <100A.

Entering individual digits for Modbus addresses and Operation Calibration current values
1. Momentarily press the TARE/RESET button until the desired digit is indicated as follows:
a. LED10 only = “0”
b. LED1 only = “1”
c. LEDs1-2 = “2”
d. LEDs1-3 = “3”
e. LEDs1-4 = “4”
f. LEDs1-5 = “5”
g. LEDs1-6 = “6”
h. LEDs1-7 = “7”
i. LEDs1-8 = “8”
j. LEDs1-9 = “9”
2. When the desired digit is displayed, press and hold the TARE/RESET button ~3 seconds.
3. When the LED(s) starts to flash, release the button. This will store the digit.
4. LED10 will light up again, indicating the board is ready to accept the next digit. Continue until all digits
have been inputted.

Setting reporting interval

1. Enter the menu mode.
2. Enter the Set Report Interval menu (LED4).
3. The board will respond with one of the following LED configurations:
a. Only LED1 turns ON
b. Only LEDs1-2 turns ON
c. Only LEDs1-3 turns ON
4. These LED combinations correspond to a reporting interval as follows:
a. Only LED1 = instantaneous
b. Only LEDs1-2 = 1-minute average
c. Only LEDs1-3 = 15-minute average
5. Momentarily press the TARE/RESET button until the desired reporting interval is displayed.
6. Press and hold the button ~3 seconds.
7. When the LED(s) starts to flash, release the button. This will store the reporting interval.

NOTE: For all menus, the board automatically returns to the RUN mode (green LED flashing) when that menu
function is completed.