[RFI] Noise from Generac Solar controllers?

Thu Dec 16 18:19:39 EST 2021

Yes, I may have jumped to conclusions too fast based on what I wanted to
see.  Apologies to everyone on the RFI list.  I've been out of it in
retirement for some 11 years and am not as sharp as I once was.

However, I do have a LOT of problems with the whole solar power industry
ignoring what they know to be true.  The statement from SolarEdge confirms
that wrt "HAMS".  Until they are called on the carpet, nothing will be done
- remember BPL.  In that respect it seems that ARRL has assumed the role of
the old FCC I once knew when first licensed in 1960.  Sad, but ARRL is
highly capable.  Just that my patience is wearing thin wrt the solar power
industry and RFI.  Sure, it costs money and better and more rigorous
instructions for instals.  But, come on......!  We have enough RFI coming
in from China with no attention (or ignoring) EMC/RFI requirements.

This is all from me for this thread.

Dave - WØLEV

On Thu, Dec 16, 2021 at 10:24 PM Hare, Ed, W1RFI <w1rfi at arrl.org> wrote:

> You are not “well aware” if you were looking in the FCC certification
> database for reports on digital-devices unintentional emitters.  They are
> not required to file anything into the certification database.
>
> I do not find the words “Class C” anywhere in Part 15.  There are Class A
> industrial devices and limits and Class B residential devices and limits.
> You may be talking about the section in Part 15 Part C, intentional
> emitters. Those are certificated, but Part C devices are not industrial
> devices; that is the description of intentional emitters.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* David Eckhardt <davearea51a at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, December 16, 2021 5:17 PM
> *To:* Hare, Ed, W1RFI <w1rfi at arrl.org>
> *Cc:* Ken Bandy, KJ9B <ken.kj9b at gmail.com>; Rfi List <rfi at contesting.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [RFI] Noise from Generac Solar controllers?
>
>
>
> Yes, ED, I'm well aware of all that.  In my looking at all the reports
> filed with FCC, none addressed the complete system, only the intentional
> radiators (Zigibee, BlueTooth, or whatever).  Yes, as a Class B filing, no
> report is necessary.  They must have modified those wireless modules,
> likely the antenna or digital format, to require testing and approval.   No
> one in their right mind as a user of widely available wireless modules
> wants to own the FCC approval for those.  Let the suppliers own the
> regulatory requirements.  If they are modified in any way, antenna or
> digital protocol, then, yes, the user must certify the module.
>
>
>
> And why do the filed reports - all of them - claim compliance to Class C,
> industrial?
>
>
>
> Dave - WØLEV
>
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 16, 2021 at 10:07 PM Hare, Ed, W1RFI <w1rfi at arrl.org> wrote:
>
> David,
>
> Solar systems are digital devices that are classified as unintentional
> emitters. If they are marketed into residential environments, they must
> meet Part 15 B emissions limits. The only unintentional emitters that
> require certification that would create an entry in the database you looked
> at are scanning receivers, radar detectors and access BPL devices.
> Although they CAN certify if there is no US resident willing to take
> responsibility under a Suppliers Declaration of Conformity, the vast
> majority of unintentional emitters are not certificated, so there will be
> no information on the FCC page containing test data.  An SDoC is
> essentially self-policed.  The rules do not require that test data on
> devices authorized under an SDoC be provided to the FCC.
>
> If they are using a certificated WiFi or Zigbee device that is used
> intact, its certification would suffice, so there would not be a need for a
> separate entry in the database, no more than you would need to certificate
> your station if you bought and installed a certificated Bluetooth
> microphone in it.
>
> Ed, W1RFI
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: RFI <rfi-bounces+w1rfi=arrl.org at contesting.com> On Behalf Of David
> Eckhardt
> Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2021 4:55 PM
> To: Ken Bandy, KJ9B <ken.kj9b at gmail.com>
> Cc: Rfi List <rfi at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [RFI] Noise from Generac Solar controllers?
>
> IN further poking around on the FCC OET site under Generac, I can't find a
> single report filed on anything except wireless hardware.  I could not
> locate any complete systems which would include the panels, optimizers,
> other electronic switching devices, and simulated house wiring.  There is
> no evidence in the reports of any test results being filed with the FCC for
> the entire system.  All the "Max Freq '' frequencies listed on the response
> pages for a general search on Generac on the FCC OET pages reflect only
> above roughly 700 MHz.  This tells me they are only filing for the
> intentional radiator, that being ZigBee or BlueTooth or some other
> protocol.  No complete *system test* is filed with FCC.  So, how can they
> claim compliance to even Part 15, Subpart C (Intentional radiator), Class C
> (industrial).  BTW:  Class C systems *do* require filing a test report with
> FCC.  There is none.
>
> Dave - WØLEV
>
> On Thu, Dec 16, 2021 at 5:06 AM Ken Bandy, KJ9B <ken.kj9b at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi all.  I am contemplating having a “PowerHome Solar” power system
> > installed at my house, and am a little concerned about possible RF
> > noise generation from the system.  This system uses a Generac
> > controller.  Does anyone have any experience with a system using a
> > Generac controller?  I know early inverters were often RF noisy, but
> > I’m hoping that the later models have addressed noise generation.
> >
> > Any input is appreciated.
> >
> > 73,
> > Ken, KJ9B
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > RFI mailing list
> > RFI at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
> >
>
>
> --
> *Dave - WØLEV*
> *Just Let Darwin Work*
> _______________________________________________
> RFI mailing list
> RFI at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>
>
>
> --
>
> *Dave - WØLEV*
>
> *Just Let Darwin Work*
>
>
>

-- 
*Dave - WØLEV*
*Just Let Darwin Work*