Ground Fault Protection Device
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150V version
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600V version
Ground Fault Protection Device
Morningstar’s Ground Fault Protection Device™ (GFPD) prevents current from following any unintended paths during a ground fault. Other ground fault detection/interruption products break the bond to the grounded conductor. When this occurs, not only is the earth bond compromised, but the battery and DC loads can also be left ungrounded and floating. For a negatively grounded system this means that the negative side of the battery and loads can float to negative Voc in relation to ground and the positive side can float to (negative Voc + Vbat). Morningstar’s GFPD better isolates the array from the battery and loads, while maintaining the bond to ground. Compatible with:
- TriStar MPPT 600V
- TriStar MPPT
- ProStar MPPT
Key features and benefits
- Disconnects both the positive and negative conductor and completely isolates PV source circuits
- Trips at 300mA compared to 1A for alternative solutions
- Provides design flexibility to accommodate large and small array
configurations - Uses high quality breaker solutions rather than fuses which are problematic
to replace at remote sites - Works like a traditional AC GFI
- Maintains the integrity of earth bond for battery and loads
- Does not require an extra warning label at the battery per U.S. National
Electric Code requirements - Makes it easier to locate and troubleshoot ground faults
- Powered via the pv system’s battery
- Equipped with both visual and audible alarms
- Built to support both single controller and multiple controller systems
- When the earth bond is not broken, Morningstar’s GFPD will only shut off
affected controllers - All loads will continue to operate safely with the battery remaining bonded to
ground - Multiple controllers and GFPDs can be added on an as-needed basis
A. Premium high-frequency CoilCraft surface mount inductors
They’re worth it, because they provide the faster power “tracking” that lets us engineer this much power and control into a compact design.
B. High-frequency design
Combined with premium, “over-spec’d” components, this greatly improves control response which guards against system transients, regulation overshoot and overcurrent/overload conditions
C. Built-in 4500W Transient Voltage Surge Suppression for lightning protection
Nature do your worst–this controller can take it
D. Large diameter, high torque, corrosion resistant terminals
If you’ve ever trashed a lesser terminal during an installation, you’ll appreciate some “overkill” here
E. DirectFET™ MOSFET power devices
Allows the surface-mounting of critical components underneath the main board next to the heat sink, which reduces heat travel distance and keeps the controller even cooler
F. Highly-conductive aluminum heatsink extrusion
As opposed to cast aluminum, which is less effective in passive cooling applications
G. Communications/data port with serial/meter auto detect
“Talks solar” with standard industry language, for system monitoring and cloud connectivity-speaks Modbus, and SNMP (with the EMC-1)
H. Lithium foldback circuit
Lithium batteries are expensive and vulnerable to cold temperatures. When it gets close to freezing, the controller backs-off charging to avoid damaging batteries
I. High-speed ARM processor
All-digital calibration for high accuracy, using the same efficient technology found in advanced mobile device
J. TrakStar™ Technology
Morningstar’s hallmark MPPT technology precisely seeks and locks onto the true maximum power point quickly and accurately, to ensure the highest output possible from a solar array
K. Large format, high-resolution backlit LCD
When you’ve been in the field installing, you appreciated being able to read a crisp, high contrast display on site
L. 5 year warranty
Up to 2 1/2 times longer than some competitors in this class
M. Self-diagnostics
ProStar is smart enough to monitor and analyze system performance, and alert you when you need to know
N. High temperature architecture
Heat is the enemy of all electronics. That’s why Prostar’s critical components are rated to withstand temperatures right up to the boiling point of water (100°C)
O. Lexan polycarbonate UL listed case
Protects the precision electronics inside with an impact strength 30 times greater than the acrylic thermoplastics commonly found on lesser controllers
P. Cooling Fan
Just kidding. We’ve never needed them
Specifications and Certifications
| Model | GFPD-150V | GFPD-600V |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Solar Voltage (Voc) | 150 volts | 600 volts |
| Maximum Solar Current (Voc) | 85A | 50A |
| Nominal Battery Voltage | 12, 24, 36 or 48 Vdc | 12, 24, 36 or 48 Vdc |
| Supply Voltage Range | 10-72 Vdc | 10-72 Vdc |
| Self Consumption | <0.5W | <0.5W |
| Ground Fault Threshold Current | 300 mA +/- 10% | 300 mA +/- 10% |
| Number of Poles | 2 | 2 |
| Trip Method | Relay | Relay |
| Output Trip Signal | 12V | 12V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +50C | -40 C to +60C |
| Warranty | 5 Years | 5 Years |
| CE and RoHS compliant | Yes | Yes |
| UL1741 and CSA C22.2 No. 107.1-01 Listed | Yes | Yes |
| UL-489 Listed | Yes |
|
| UL-1077 Listed |
|
Yes |
| FCC Class B Part 15 Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC) 690.5 Compliant for use as a GFPD device | Yes | Yes |
| Manufactured in a Certified ISO 9001 Facility | Yes | Yes |
Datasheets
Download the Ground Fault Protection Device Datasheet.
Operation Manuals
Download the Ground Fault Protection Device Manual.
Videos
ProStar MPPT Controller - 4 minute video
This short video highlights the high quality of the ProStar MPPT solar charge controller, and its ability to regulate charging of lead acid, lithium, or nickel cadmium batteries in off-grid solar applications. The video also addresses lighting control, self-diagnostics, data logging, MODBUS communications, array oversizing, and low noise design.
Morningstar Charging Experts featuring ProStar MPPT
This 5 minute video highlights the ProStar MPPT solar charge controller’s circuit board that differentiates it from other brands. In addition to the capacitors, inductors, processors, surge protectors, and other over-spec’d internal components, the quality of the controller’s heat sink and outer casing is also addressed. The video concludes with mention of features and capabilities related to communications, datalogging, lithium battery charging, and high quality and reliability.
New ProStar MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Recorded Webinar
This 30 minute recorded webinar gives a more in depth overview of how the ProStar MPPT solar charge controller fits into the existing Morningstar portfolio. The recording also includes answers to questions about operating temperatures, the display meter interface, and protections, faults and alerts.
Applications
- Boating
- Lighting
- Oil & Gas
- Railroad
- Rural Electrification
- Residential
- Security
- Transportation
- Traffic
Firmware
It’s a recommended best practice to install your product’s latest firmware to ensure access to all up-to-date features, accessory compatibilities, and code modifications. Watch this 5 minute video for instructions on how to download and update ProStar MPPT firmware.
After watching the video, click here to download the firmware.
System Diagrams
Off-Grid Diagram with DC Load
The schematic diagram above, illustrates how the ProStar MPPT regulates power to batteries and a direct current (DC) load in an off-grid system.
- Sunlight contacts the solar modules, which convert solar into DC electrical power that it delivers to a charge controller.
- The charge controller regulates the amperage and voltage that is delivered to the loads and any excess power is delivered to the battery system so the batteries maintain their state of charge without getting overcharged.
- During the evening when there is no sunlight, battery power is used to run the load.
Off-Grid Diagram with AC Load
The schematic diagram above, illustrates how the ProStar MPPT regulates power to batteries and an alternating current (AC) load in an off-grid system. This diagram is very similar to the DC load diagram above it except an inverter has been added.
- Sunlight contacts the solar modules, which convert solar into DC electrical power that it delivers to a charge controller.
- The charge controller regulates the amperage and voltage that is delivered to the battery system so the batteries maintain their state of charge without getting overcharged.
- Batteries deliver power to the inverter which converts DC to AC power that it delivers to the load. Notice that the inverter is connected to the battery, not the controller’s load terminals, like we did in the DC load example. That’s because the inverter can have a high energy surge upon start up, and this high current surge might be higher than the rated capacity of the charge controller, whereas the batteries will be able to meet the high energy surge requirement.