Generac PWRcell › Problems
Generac PWRcell inverter won't connect to the grid
A Generac PWRcell inverter sits in Waiting, Standby or Low REbus Voltage, or shows a red light, and does not connect to the grid. This page covers what the lights and screen states mean, what to check first, and the causes behind it.
What the lights mean
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| Inverter light blinking yellow | The inverter is waiting to connect to the grid, connecting to REbus, or waiting to connect to REbus. |
| Inverter light solid yellow | The inverter is disabled or powering up. |
| Inverter light red | The inverter is overloaded or has a serious fault. Someone likely has to step in before it runs again. |
| Inverter light green | The utility is connected and its voltage and frequency are normal. |
| Inverter light blinking green | The inverter is in Island Mode because the utility service is interrupted. |
| Inverter light off | The inverter is powered down. |
| REbus light red | A serious fault has been found on a device or on the REbus wiring. |
Error codes that go with this problem
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| Inverter shows Waiting, Standby or Low REbus Voltage | The inverter has not connected to the grid. Not an error. Expected for 5 minutes after the system is first set up or after a grid outage; otherwise usually a problem with the AC power. |
| Pattern lockout | On inverter firmware 13853 this alternates with REbus under-voltage events during the 5 minute wait before the inverter connects to the grid. Later firmware shows Waiting instead. |
What to check first
- Look at the inverter's status light and its screen, and note the light colour and the state shown.
- If the system was just set up or the power just came back, wait 5 minutes. The inverter waits that long before it connects to the grid.
- A red inverter light means an overload or a serious fault, and someone likely has to step in before it runs again. A red REbus light means a serious fault on a device or the REbus wiring.
- Call your installer if the inverter still shows Waiting, Standby or Low REbus Voltage after 5 minutes, or the inverter light is red. For those three states, the next steps are checking the grid profile and measuring the AC supply at the inverter.
Safety. The inverter shutdown and restart sequence is meant for trained, certified people only.
The causes and the fixes
Partners see the causes behind this problem, most common first, the checks that tell them apart, and the fix for each, with part numbers and recent prices when a part is involved.