AFCI-Comm-Fail Alarm

Note: This guide is for the alarm AFCI-Comm-Fail and not for the alarm Arc Fault. The Arc Fault alarm is thrown when an arc is detected on one of the PV strings. The AFCI-Comm-Fail alarm is thrown when the inverter does not detect the AFCI board itself. 

This guide is only for the US version of the low voltage hybrid inverter series S6-EH2P(9.6-16)K03-SV-YD-L-US.

If the inverter is throwing constant AFCI-Comm-Fail alarms, there could be one of two things happening:

1. The AFCI board is unplugged

2. The AFCI board is missing firmware

Most likely, it is #1 and not #2, but this guide will address both possibilities. 

Step 1: Power down the inverter completely, disconnect all DC and AC power sources. If there is a battery, turn off the battery. If there is a PV disconnect switch, open it.

Step 2: Carefully remove the top cover by removing all screws with a Torx T20 screwdriver. Once the cover is loose, slowly pull it away from the inverter but be careful of the LED power cable that is plugged into the back of the LED board. Gently unplug this cable and then set the cover down.

Step 3: Check the photo below and make sure all of the cables are plugged into the proper ports. 

Step 4: Reinstall the top cover, being mindful of the LED cable that must be plugged back into the LED board.

Step 5: Power the inverter back on with AC and DC.

Step 6: With the inverter on, connect to it locally using Bluetooth/SolisCloud app. Check the alarm tab to see if it is still having the AFCI-Comm-Fail alarm. If it is still having the alarm, we will need to proceed with additional steps.At this point, we have ruled out the possibility of the AFCI board being disconnected (#1) now we consider the possibility that the AFCI board is missing firmware (#2).

Step 7: Assuming the inverter is online, go to the Plant then go to the Device tab. Click/tap the inverter serial number to go to the inverter details page. Look for the AFCI Version on the right side of the page. If the version still shows as 0000, contact Solis technical support and ask them to remotely push an AFCI firmware update. Please provide them with the inverter serial number and keep the inverter online during the update process. 

Solis Support Email: usservice@solisinverters.com

Solis Support Phone Number: +1(866)438-8408 press 2 after you hear a machine answer

Note: This is for customers based in Canada and the United States only.

Step 8: If the remote AFCI firmware update attempt fails, then inverter will need an RMA unless AFCI is optional for this specific installation. If that is the case, then the AFCI can be disabled instead. 

Resolution: By this point you should either have cleared the AFCI-Comm-Fail alarm or have received an RMA for the inverter.