User Guide

Installation & Programming Manual FX & VFX “E” Series Inverter/Charger System Copyright 2003  OutBack Power Systems, Inc.
900-0027-2 19009 62
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Ave NE, Arlington WA 98223 USA
Page 24 Rev 7.1 06/08/06 Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
STACKING INSTRUCTIONS
OutBack & 3-phase Stacking Methods
OutBack Power Systems offers two different ways to stack multiple FX’s (up to 10 for single phase systems, but only 3 for three-phase
systems). The first thing to consider is if you want all of the FX’s in parallel (FX’s on same AC Output Leg producing 230VAC only) or
in 3-phase (maximum of three FX’s, one on each AC Output Leg, producing 230VAC on each Leg and 400VAC between each set of
Legs). A HUB-4 or HUB-10 must be included to stack FX’s. Below is an explanation of each type of system.
The next two pages explain the Stacking menu and how to program the various types of stacked systems.
PARALLEL (OUTBACK): This stacking method pertains to a system that has two to ten FX’s all connected to the same 230VAC
Output Leg. The system can be programmed such that only one FX (the Master) stays “On” and the rest of the FX’s (the Slaves) are
asleep. The Slaves come on only when the power requirement is high enough that the Master FX calls on the Slave FX’s to help with
the load. It is also possible to program the system to keep any number of FX’s “On” while the remaining FX’s are asleep. The AC Input
source (usually a generator or utility grid) must be 230VAC.
3-PHASE: This stacking method pertains to a system that has three FX’s connected to three 230VAC Output Legs that will produce
400VAC between any two Legs of the 3-phase system. In this stacking method only three FX’s can be used. Each of the three FX’s
will be connected to its own 230VAC Output Leg. To set the system up properly an adjustment to the HUB is necessary. Within the
HUB is a jumper that needs to be changed in order for the system to operate correctly. See the HUB manual for instructions on this
procedure. The AC Input source (generator or grid) must be a 230VAC/400VAC 3-phase source connected to the AC Input terminals
of the three FX’s.
Stacking Procedure
This section will help inform you on how to set up stacking correctly and what the screens in the stacking menu mean. (Remember, for
3-phase stacking a jumper must be set to the 3-ph position in the HUB. See HUB manual for further information.) Make sure that the
FX’s connect to the lowest numbered ports of the HUB. First, turn off all AC breakers (the Bypass breaker can be left on). Next, turn
on all FX’s using their DC breakers and verify that the MATE recognizes all FX’s. You can verify this by watching the MATE go through
its boot-up sequence. The MATE’s boot-up sequence will show the following screens: (1) “G’day Mate!” (2) “OutBack Power Systems”
(3) Version (4) “HUB Found” (5) Hub ports and the OutBack devices connected to them. Screen (5) will allow you to verify that the
MATE sees all of the FX’s. If it doesn’t see all of the FX’s or if you aren’t sure, you can do one of two things. Either disconnect and
reconnect the MATE to the HUB or do a re-poll with the MATE. A re-poll on the MATE can be done by following the path MAIN /
SETUP / MATE / PG2 / COMM / REPOLL (see the MATE manual for proper operation of the MATE). Once you are sure that the
MATE recognizes all the FX’s connected to the HUB, you must access the “STACK” menu. This can be found on the MATE by
following the path MAIN / ADV / any button (this screen serves as a warning only) / PASSWORD (press the INC and DEC
buttons until the number is 141 and then press ENTER) / FX / PG2 / PG3 / STACK. You are now in the menu used for stacking
FX’s. Before continuing we will inform you on what each screen pertains to, the possible selections of that screen and how to choose
the next FX for proper programming.
STACK PHASE
The “Stack Phase” screen establishes which FX is the master and which FX’s follows the master’s commands. Each FX has a default
of “1-2ph Master” (one or two phase Master). The FX on port 1 of the HUB is always a Master (and usually the only Master), otherwise
the MATE will give a communication error. For a single phase system, the FX in port 1 of the HUB should remain a “1-2ph Master”.
For a 3-phase system, the FX on port 1 of the HUB must be changed to a “3ph Master” (this procedure will be explained soon). To
select the next FX connected to the HUB, press the PORT button on the MATE. In the upper right-hand corner of the MATE’s screen is
the “port” indicator. It will display a “P” followed by a number indicating the port it is controlling (for example “P01” indicates port 1, the
Master FX’s port). Repeatedly pressing PORT on the MATE will cycle through the ports on the HUB that have FX’s connected to them.
Stop when you have reached a port that has an FX on it that needs to be a Slave. By pressing the INC (increase) and DEC (decrease)
buttons on the MATE, you can select the proper type of Slave that is appropriate for your system. Below are the different selections in
the STACK PHASE menu with a description of what they do.
1-2 PH MASTER: 1-2 PH MASTER is used for stand-alone (one) FX systems OR as the MASTER of a single phase or split
phase system.
Set the stack phase of the FX you want as the master to ‘1-2 PH Master’ (if it isn’t already) and make sure it is in
port 1 of the HUB. It is acceptable to have every FX connected to the HUB be a “1-2ph Master”. If this is the case, each FX must
be connected to a separate AC Output Leg (both Hot and Neutral). The master FX is always considered to be the L1 phase.
CLASSIC SLAVE: (NOT TO BE USED ON “EXPORT” SYSTEMS) If you have a system with two FX’s that you wish to put in
series, set the stack phase of the FX you want as the slave to “Classic Slave” and make sure it is in port 2 of the hub. “Classic”
stacking is meant for 120/240VAC systems (where applicable) where each FX handles their own 120 volt phase. The combination
of the two FX’s creates 240 volts to run 240VAC loads. If this FX is set to ‘Classic Slave’ then its output is 180 degrees out of
phase from the master and is considered to be the L2 phase. Classic stacking can only stack two FX’s and there is no load
sharing which is possible with ‘OutBack’ stacking.
OB SLAVE L1: Single Phase: If you have a system with two to ten FX’s and you wish to produce 230VAC on the same AC
Output Leg, set the stack phase of the FX’s you want as the slaves to “OB Slave L1” and make sure that they are in the lowest
numbered ports of the HUB. “OB Slave L1” is used for FX’s that run in parallel with the master. These FX’s are considered the L1
phase.