SolarEdge › Problems
SolarEdge inverter shuts down on an arc fault or connector overheating
Your SolarEdge inverter shuts down or locks itself out on an arc fault or a hot DC connector alert, and stops producing. This page covers what the lights and codes mean, what to check first, and the causes behind it.
What the lights mean
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| Solid green and solid blue | Producing normally and connected to monitoring. After a restart this can take up to five minutes. |
| Red light on the LED tube goes away | The inverter's DC voltage has fallen below 50 volts, a safe level for servicing. |
Error codes that go with this problem
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| 18x100 (arc detected) | The inverter detected an arc and locked out. |
| 3xBE (locked Inverter Arc Detected) | The inverter is locked out because it detected an arc. |
| Arc fault (AFCI) detected | The inverter has locked out on a detected arc fault and needs a manual reset on site. |
What to check first
- Write down the code on the inverter screen or in the app, such as 18x100, 3x9A or 3xBE.
- Note whether it started right after a firmware update, and whether production drops to 0 W for about 5 minutes and then comes back.
- Reset the inverter: turn its red 1/0 switch to 0, let the DC voltage bleed down to about 1 V per optimizer, then turn it back on.
- If the fault comes back after the reset, call your installer. Someone needs to visit the site.
Safety. SolarEdge notes that an arc fault left unresolved is a fire risk. If the fault returns after a reset, have the system inspected on site.
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.