The life of the inverter is determined by the quality of the product, the installation and use environment, and the later operation and maintenance. So how to improve the service life of the inverter through correct installation and later operation and maintenance?

The main factors affecting the service life of the inverter are:

1. The internal temperature of the inverter.

The temperature inside the inverter is the most important factor affecting the life of the inverter. Too high temperature will reduce the performance and life of the components. The capacitor inside the inverter is a key factor affecting the life of the inverter.

The inverter itself is a heat source. The power modules, inductors, switches, cables and other circuits inside will generate heat. All the heat must be dissipated in time, otherwise the internal temperature will rise higher and higher. Therefore, the heat dissipation design of the inverter is a key link in the product development and design. At present, the inverter industry basically adopts natural cooling and air cooling. Low-power models are mainly use natural cooling, and medium and high-power models are basically use air-cooled. Corigy’s has both of those type.

In order to ensure the stability of the internal temperature of the inverter, in addition to product design considerations, special attention should be paid to the following matters during installation and use.

①The inverter must be installed in a well-ventilated space with good ventilation to the outside world. If it must be installed in a closed space, an air duct and exhaust fan must be installed, or an air conditioner. It is strictly forbidden to install the inverter in a closed box.

②The installation location of the inverter should avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. If the inverter is installed outdoors, it is best to install it under the eaves on the back side or under the solar modules. There are eaves or modules above the inverter to block it. If it can only be installed in an open place, it is recommended to install a sunshade and rain shelter above the inverter.

③Install the inverter as far away as possible from high-temperature areas such as boilers, fuel-fired hot air blowers, heating pipes, and air-conditioning outdoor air outlets.

2. The input voltage and current parameters of the inverter.

Improper matching of the input voltage and current parameters of the inverter will also affect the life of the inverter. The higher the voltage or current that the components inside the inverter are subjected to, the shorter the life of the components. For this reason, when we design the capacity ratio, in addition to considering the economic factors, we must also fully consider the life factor of the inverter.

3. The external environment for the inverter to operate.

The external environment in which the inverter operates is also an important factor affecting the life of the inverter. At present, the protection level of string inverters on the market can reach IP65 or even IP66. Dust, leaves, sediment and other fine objects may also enter the air duct of the inverter, which will also affect the heat dissipation, thereby affecting the service life. In this case, it is particularly important to regularly clean up the dirt on the inverter or cooling fan so that the inverter has good cooling conditions.

One end of the inverter is connected to the photovoltaic array, and the other end is connected to the power grid. The power quality of the power grid will also affect the life of the inverter. Especially the voltage of the rural power grid is unstable, which is easy to trigger the inverter. The inverter will stop running when the voltage exceeds the range, and resume operation when the voltage is normal. However, if the inverter is restarted frequently, the service life of the inverter will be reduced.

Corigy’s inverters are shipped after a series of quality inspections, so their design life is almost the same. Therefore, system design, installation, and post-operation and maintenance are the key factors. In order to improve the actual service life of the inverter, on the one hand, it is necessary to create a good operating environment for the inverter to protect it from wind, sun and rain. On the other hand, it is necessary to conduct regular inspections to keep the cooling air ducts of the inverter unobstructed to avoid over-temperature derating and other failures.