Panasonic Products for Energy Management

For Safety Cutoff on the AC side

Relays are used for safety cutoff on the grid (power network). The relay must cutoff the circuit to prevent abnormal currents that occur from affecting the commercial power supply. Power relays are required as safety measures to protect the power supply system.

For operation in stand-alone mode

Relay contacts will be ON during a power outage and use of the stand-alone function is possible. The relays are used for stand-alone mode.

Eco-POWER METERs/Programmable Displays

These are used for displaying the amount of sold/purchased power of a photovoltaic power generation system and power generated by a power conditioner. Photovoltaic power generation systems and fuel cell systems linked to storage batteries require surveillance of reverse power (tidal current) to grids. Equipped with a fine current detection function, Eco-POWER METERs are ideal for reverse power (tidal current) surveillance.

For Safety Cutoff on the AC side

Relays are used for safety cutoff on the grid (power network). The relay must cutoff the circuit to prevent abnormal currents that occur from affecting the commercial power supply. Power relays are required as safety measures to protect the power supply system.

For Safety Cutoff on the DC Side

Power relays are required as safety measures in the event of a defect in or malfunction of the battery or system.

For Charge and Discharge

AQ-A SSR (PhotoMOS) is used to switch charge and discharge. We recommend solid state relays for applications where there will be frequent ON/OFF switching.

Charge control Discharge control Storage battery

Charge and discharge control is possible by effectively utilizing the internal diodes of the solid state relay.	Equivalence circuit of output side
*If you want to use charge and discharge control by internal diodes of the solid state relay, please contact our sales representative. (Maximum switching capacity differs from output section.)

For preventing an inrush current into capacitors when charging (pre-charge circuit)

AQ-A SSR (PhotoMOS), HE-V relay, and 10A and 20A types of EP relays are used for preventing an inrush current into capacitors when charging. We recommend solid state relays for miniaturization and HE-V relay and 10A and 20A types of EP relays for high voltages.

Main relay
(For DC safety cutoff)

Inverter

	Using high-capacity capacitor. Possibility of inrush current

Inrush current prevention relay
(pre-charge relay)

During device startup, the inrush current prevention relay turns ON and the main relay turns ON after the capacitor is charged.
Effective for protection against inrush currents that occur when charging the capacitor.

For Insulation Detection

PhotoMOS are used for monitoring storage battery units for insulation deterioration
If the insulation in a unit deteriorates, a ground-fault current passes when the relay is turned on, and a sensor detects the current.
High load voltage type PhotoMOS are ideal for use with storage batteries, which carry high voltage.

Alarm signal output
<abnormal case>

Current sensor

Storage battery

Current sensor

Section with deteriorated insulation

Inside of a storage battery unit

If insulation is deteriorated in a section, a current passes when the relay is turned on.

(When insulation of high voltage area and chassis is deteriorated)
1.	PhotoMOS is turned on.
2.	The current sensor detects a ground-fault current.
3.	An alarm signal is output.

Current

For Battery Monitoring

PhotoMOS are used in a circuit for monitoring charging voltages of a battery cell group.
Compact PhotoMOS capable of frequent switching are ideal for this type of use.
Use of the relays allows for insulation from high voltage areas.

When charging the capacitor

[Battery cell side]

[Measurement
side]

1.	PhotoMOS on the battery cell side are turned on.
2.	The capacitor is charged.

When measure

[Battery cell side]

[Measurement
side]

1.	PhotoMOS on the battery cell side are turned off.
2.	PhotoMOS on the measurement side are turned on.
3.	The voltage of capacitor (= voltage of battery cell group) is measured.

For Safety Cutoff on the AC side

Relays are used for safety cutoff on the grid (power network). The relay must cutoff the circuit to prevent abnormal currents that occur from affecting the commercial power supply. Power relays are required as safety measures to protect the power supply system.

For Insulation Detection

PhotoMOS are used for monitoring quick charger stations for insulation deterioration.
If the insulation in a station deteriorates, a ground-fault current passes when the relay is turned on, and a sensor detects the current. High load voltage type PhotoMOS are ideal for use with quick charger stations, which carry high voltage.

For Safety Cutoff on the DC Side

Power relays are required as safety measures in the event of a defect in or malfunction of the battery or system.

For Signal Control 　For IC card activation

For models that require the use of IC cards for charge control, etc., low on-resistance type PhotoMOS are used for signal control.

For Main Power Cutoff

Main relays are used for cutting off the main power. There is demand for a remote cutoff function for rolling blackouts, a prepaid system, safety measures, responses to non-payment of electric bills, etc.

For External Output of Accessories

Relays are used for driving a contactor to turn on a electric water heater using power at night.

For Driving Main Relays

PhotoMOS and AQ-H SSRs are used for driving main relays.

For Data Communications

PhotoMOS are used as output contacts for external communications.

Remote control applications

Relays are used in remote control applications. Smart switches with built-in relays make remote control, collective control and visualization of electricity usage possible.

Applications for automatic cutoff during earthquakes

Power relays can be used in safety cutoff applications when earthquake tremors are detected.

For power line cutoff during reghting

[What is a rapid shutdown system?]

This is a system designed to cut off the DC power line on the panel side of photovoltaic power generation equipment.
In North America, the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) is likely to soon define this (690.12) and legislate it into law within NEC2014 (National Electric Code 2014), due to the occurrence of electrocution among firefighters when putting out fires. Also, in Germany installation of this system is a requirement to obtain fire insurance.

[NEC2014 690.12 denition (summary)]

• Emergency cutoff device (controlled by relay) shall install in less than 1.5 m (5 ft) in length inside a building, or less than 3 m (10 ft) in length outside a building from a PV array.
• Controlled conductors shall be limited to less than 30 V and 240 VA within 10 seconds of rapid shutdown initiation.
• The use of UL standard certified components is a requirement in system configurations.