Enphase Ensemble Technology System Planning Tech Brief

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Planning an Ensemble Technology System – North America

Current Transformers (CTs)

It is critical that installers correctly configure the IQ Envoy, with the combined solar PV output passing through the

production CT. The production CT monitors only the PV output circuit(s) and must not have Encharge battery

circuit(s) installed on it. Install the Encharge battery circuit(s) on the load side of the production CTs on the correct

terminals in Enpower smart switch.

Installers may extend the consumption CT leads, but not the production CT leads. Therefore, it is best to locate the

IQ Envoy close to the microinverter output circuits and then extend consumption CT wires if necessary. Refer to the

IQ Envoy Installation and Operations Manual when installing and/or extending consumption CTs.

Enpower smart switch connections

The Enpower smart switch can accept a maximum of 64 A of continuous output current (maximum 80A breaker) of a

combined PV subpanel or IQ combiner (labeled AC Combiner). The busbar in the Enpower smart switch can accept a

maximum of an 80 A breaker for the IQ combiner over current protection.

The Enpower smart switch can accept a maximum of 64 A of rated output current (maximum 80A breaker) of

combined Encharge storage system circuits. The busbar in the Enpower smart switch can accept a maximum of an

80 A breaker for the Encharge storage system circuit over current protection. This equates to a maximum of twelve

Encharge 3 storage units or four Encharge 10 units per Enpower. Up to six Encharge 3 storage units or two

Encharge 10 units, equal to 32 A of rated output current, can be connected in series prior to landing on the Encharge

terminal in the Enpower smart switch and protected by a no higher than a 40 A over current protection breaker. If

more than six Encharge 3 storage systems (or more than two Encharge 10 storage systems) are to be connected to

Enpower smart switch, an external subpanel must be used to combine each circuit of up to 32 A of rated output

current Encharge storage system circuits. You should size conductors appropriately for the overcurrent protection

selected for the application.

Voltage Regulation Considerations

When the Encharge storage system is charging, it acts like a load and the voltage decreases at the terminals of the

battery based upon Ohm’s law and wire resistance. When the Encharge storage system is discharging to feed loads,

it behaves like a source, and the voltage increases at the terminals of the battery.

The voltage rise to voltage drop delta divided by the nominal voltage is roughly equivalent to voltage regulation. Since

the peak charge and discharge values for Encharge are the same value, voltage rise and voltage drop will be the

same value.

Voltage regulation in Ensemble is calculated as

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡'𝑉𝑅 =

2 ∙

𝑉

/01

where:

𝑉

is the voltage change from 0 to max current out of Encharge, and

𝑉

/01

is the nominal RMS voltage.

Ensure that the Encharge storage system conductors are sized correctly for number of units on the circuit and voltage

regulation does not exceed 1% between the first Encharge storage system and Enpower smart switch.

Rapid Shutdown Considerations

Any Enphase IQ 7 and IQ 6 microinverter PV system disconnecting means is capable of meeting the requirements of

rapid shutdown initiation. When installing Enpower smart switch and Encharge storage system, the PV system

disconnecting means becomes the rapid shutdown initiator. The breakers in the IQ combiner can be used to initiate

rapid shutdown since it contains fewer than six breakers to shut down the entire system. Comply with local and

National Electric Code requirements for identification, grouping and labeling.