Fonrich Science Popularization: What Are the Differences Between Smart Safety Protectors, Smart Safety Optimizers, and Rapid Shutdown Devices?

A photovoltaic inverter (PV inverter) is a crucial balance of system (BOS) component in photovoltaic arrays. It converts the variable direct current (DC) voltage generated by photovoltaic (PV) solar panels into utility frequency alternating current (AC).

However, inverters cannot perform fine control on individual or a few PV modules.

Fonrich’s Smart safety protectors, smart safety optimizers, and rapid shutdown devices are all related products of module-level power electronics technology that can achieve monitoring, power optimization, and shutdown functions. Let’s take a closer look at these three devices:

The Fonrich PV smart safety protector features industry-leading “four-in-one” protection functions:

• Module-Level Rapid Shutdown Protection: Remotely or manually quickly shuts down the connection between each PV module. Within 30 seconds, it can instantly stop the operation of equipment within a 30 cm range of the PV array or reduce the system voltage to below 30V；

• String Break Protection: In the event of a string break fault, it rapidly shuts down all safety protectors in the affected string within 5 seconds.

• Module-Level Arc Protection: Integrates intelligent arc protection, including automatic detection, protection, self/manual reset, early warning, and precise positioning, thoroughly addressing the risk of PV power station fires caused by accidents, DC arcs, and other reasons. It also resolves rescue obstacles due to PV systems when a house catches fire, ensuring the safety of people and property.

• Module-Level Smart Technology Monitoring and Maintenance: Accurately locates each module through the protector’s QR code and the module layout map. It collects five key data points in real-time—voltage, current, power output, operating point, and temperature—and uploads snapshots to the server. AI station diagnostics, data analysis, and historical queries provide multi-level linked protection, 100% accurately locating faulty modules, significantly reducing power station management costs through remote centralized management, fault remote diagnosis, maintenance, and repairs.

The Fonrich PV smart safety optimizer features “five-in-one” protection and power optimization functions. It integrates photovoltaic MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking), continuously tracking the maximum power point of each PV module, optimizing the power output of each module, and avoiding module mismatch. This can increase the power generation of distributed PV systems by 5%-25%. It addresses power generation declines caused by installation differences, shading, orientation discrepancies, and module degradation over the system’s lifecycle, fully utilizing the power generation potential of each module.

Moreover, the Fonrich “five-in-one” smart safety optimizer integrates Fonrich’s leading “four-in-one” technology, thoroughly resolving the risk of PV power station fires and rescue issues caused by accidents, DC arcs, and other reasons, ensuring the safety of people and property. It also allows for remote centralized management, fault remote diagnosis, maintenance, and repairs through an online platform, significantly reducing power station management costs.

The Fonrich module-level rapid shutdown device can achieve rapid shutdown at the module level. In emergencies, this device can quickly shut down the connection between each PV module within the faulty PV array within 30 seconds, either remotely or manually, eliminating the high DC voltage present in the PV system array, reducing the risk of electric shock and rescue hazards, and ensuring the safety of the PV system. Compared to the intelligent safety protector and optimizer, the shutdown device has the simplest function and is the most affordable.

Fonrich PV smart safety protectors and smart safety optimizers can be used in combination. The smart safety optimizer can be used in shaded areas, while the smart safety protector can be used in unshaded areas. This comprehensive solution not only resolves safety and power issues in PV power stations but also significantly reduces the cost of safety risk prevention and control for PV power stations.