I'm curious about potential issues with using inverters in a setup where you have a 240V split phase and a multi-wire branch circuit to run two 120V legs. Are there specific challenges that arise if one leg is drawing more power than the other? I'm assuming everything is installed correctly with a suitable 2 pole breaker before the circuit splits.
3 Answers
The glitches mainly depend on the type of inverter you’re using. Some can handle imbalances better than others, so it's vital to check the spec sheet. As a general rule, if there's a severe imbalance, you might be left with two separate 120V inverters with half the capacity. For instance, the EG4 6000XP limits you to 3000W on each leg. So, knowing your inverter specs is key!
Just a quick note: when working with 240V split phase, it’s important to remember it’s essentially a 120/240 single phase setup. Simply applying 240V without considering the balances can lead to problems, so tread carefully!
Imbalances can be quite the headache as they might trigger your inverter to shut down even if the other leg still has capacity to spare. It's crucial to monitor the loads on each leg, especially for heavy 120V appliances like microwaves and air conditioners. I’m working on a tiny house with split phase inverters, and I've organized the outlets on multiple breakers to help manage the load more evenly.