Selectable line voltage inverters and associated methods
View Patent ↗An inverter capable of supplying power to utility grids of varying line voltages is described. In some examples, the inverter contains multiple output taps that are selected to output power to the utility grid based on the voltage of the utility grid. In some examples, the inverter includes a multi-pin connector that connects with one of multiple receptacles associated with a desired voltage configuration. In some examples, the inverter is capable of adapting to a defined line voltage in two steps.
1. A method for setting a line voltage for an inverter connectable to a utility grid at a certain line voltage, the method comprising:
moving a single multi-pin connector from a first receptacle to a second receptacle associated with the certain line voltage, wherein the moving the single multi-pin connector selects input taps of a control power transformer and connects the selected input taps to the utility grid;
selecting three output taps of a main power transformer according to the certain line voltage; and
connecting the selected output taps to the utility grid,
wherein moving the single multi-pin connector to the second receptacle also changes a voltage range flag of the inverter, and changes a voltage sense range of the inverter.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein connecting the selected output taps configures a voltage output of the main power transformer of the inverter.
3. An inverter, comprising:
a conversion module configured to convert direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power of a selectable voltage and to supply a power line with the converted AC power; and
a voltage selection module configured to power the conversion module and that includes a multi-pin connector and two or more receptacles, wherein each of the receptacles is coupled to different input taps of a control power transformer, wherein the multi-pin connector is configured to be coupled to one of the receptacles, and wherein the multi-pin connector and the two or more receptacles are configured to select the selectable voltage based on which of the two or more receptacles the multi-pin connector is coupled to,
wherein coupling of the multi-pin connector to one of the receptacles establishes a connection between: (1) a digital ground and a digital input associated with a selected voltage, (2) an input line of the inverter and a position of a resistor string associated with the selected voltage to provide resistance within a circuit of the inverter.
4. An inverter, comprising:
a conversion module configured to convert direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power of a selectable voltage and to supply a power line with the converted AC power; and
a voltage selection module configured to power the conversion module and that includes a multi-pin connector and two or more receptacles, wherein each of the receptacles is coupled to different input taps of a control power transformer, wherein the multi-pin connector is configured to be coupled to one of the receptacles, and wherein the multi-pin connector and the two or more receptacles are configured to select the selectable voltage based on which of the two or more receptacles the multi-pin connector is coupled to,
wherein coupling of the multi-pin connector to one of the receptacles establishes a connection between a digital ground and a digital input associated with a selected voltage.
5. The inverter of claim 4 , wherein coupling of the multi-pin connector to one of the receptacles establishes a connection between an input line of the inverter and a tap of the control power transformer, wherein the tap is associated with a selected voltage.
6. An inverter, comprising:
a conversion module configured to convert direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power of a selectable voltage and to supply a power line with the converted AC power; and
a voltage selection module configured to power the conversion module and that includes a multi-pin connector and two or more receptacles, wherein each of the receptacles is coupled to different input taps of a control power transformer, wherein the multi-pin connector is configured to be coupled to one of the receptacles, and wherein the multi-pin connector and the two or more receptacles are configured to select the selectable voltage based on which of the two or more receptacles the multi-pin connector is coupled to,
wherein coupling of the multi-pin connector to one of the receptacles establishes a connection between an input line of the inverter and a position of a resistor string associated with a selected voltage to provide resistance within a circuit of the inverter.