Fonrich Smart Combiner Box Monitoring: The "Central Nervous System" for Safety and Efficiency in Large-Scale Power Plants

Ground-Mounted Solar Plant Operational Challenges: "Conventional Maintenance" Struggles to Meet "High-Standard Demands"

Challenges in Retrofitting Old Plants:

Over 60GW of ground-mounted solar plants in China have been in operation for more than 5 years, and they are currently facing three major operational challenges:

1. Performance Degradation of Key Components

2. Declining Stability of Communication Systems

3. Increasing Risk of DC Arc Faults

Industry data shows that fault diagnosis in traditional combiner boxes takes an average of 4-6 hours. DC arc faults, which account for 80% of photovoltaic fire incidents, are particularly destructive. From initiation to widespread damage, an arc fault can spread in less than 30 minutes, enough to severely damage an entire solar array.

Challenges in Integrating New Projects:

As the solar industry evolves, combiner boxes are becoming increasingly intelligent. According to industry data, by 2025, approximately 60% of combiner boxes will feature smart monitoring and remote management, which should significantly improve operational maintenance efficiency.

However, in practice, issues arise in new plants due to variety in combiner box models, incompatible communication protocols, and differences in device specifications.

Fonrich's Combiner Box Monitoring Module: Addressing Common Issues in Retrofitting Projects

Fonrich’s Combiner Box Monitoring Module provides solutions to common issues in retrofitting, such as device compatibility and installation space adaptability, thereby improving operational management and efficiency.

Fonrich Smart Combiner Box Monitoring: The "Central Nervous System" of Safety and Efficiency in Large-Scale Power Plants

Product Introduction

Fonrich’s combiner box product comes with an LCD screen for data display, offering a wide range of functions:

• String current monitoring

• Voltage monitoring

• Combiner box temperature monitoring

• Circuit breaker status detection

• Arc fault detection

It supports various Hall sensor specifications and can manage up to 24 cascading channels with RS485 communication.

Operational Parameter Monitoring

• Current and Voltage Monitoring: Using patented Hall sensor technology, the system supports various current detection specifications and can monitor up to 24 string channels, quickly identifying any abnormal strings.

• Temperature and Environmental Monitoring: It continuously monitors the status of surge protectors and circuit breakers, with the ability to install temperature sensors for monitoring the box’s internal temperature.

• Arc Fault Detection: With integrated AFCI functionality, the system proactively identifies DC arc faults and sends alarms to reduce fire risks.

Maintenance Support Functions

• Local Display and Remote Management: The LCD screen displays parameters graphically, allowing operators to quickly pinpoint faults. The system supports RS485 Modbus-RTU and industrial wireless communication, ensuring reliable remote monitoring without connectivity issues.

• Adaptive Power Design: Powered directly from the PV string, the system requires only one functioning string to maintain operation, ensuring reliable performance even under extreme conditions.

Fonrich Smart Combiner Box Monitoring: The "Central Nervous System" for Safety and Efficiency in Large-Scale Power Plants

Technical Advantages and Innovations

1. Flexible Adaptation and Space Optimization:

   • Modular Design (separate control box and sensor structure), compact and adaptable for various combiner box models, enabling easy retrofitting without needing to replace the entire box.

2. High Compatibility:

   • Supports RS485 Modbus-RTU, ensuring compatibility with multiple versions of register point tables. This resolves compatibility issues in system upgrades and avoids the need for backend system configuration changes during retrofitting.

3. High Reliability and Anti-Interference Ability:

   • With 10 years of product experience and self-developed full-stack technology, Fonrich has consistently led the market in sales.

4. Environmental Adaptability:

   • Encapsulated protection with resin ensures the system functions in environments with up to 95% humidity and in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 70°C.

5. Cutting-Edge Technology:

   • Over 200 patents filed, including core technologies like AFCI algorithms.

   • The system supports multiple alarm strategies and can trigger automatic disconnection when necessary.

Case Studies

1. Vietnam 257 MW Project

   Fonrich’s intelligent combiner box monitoring played a critical role in ensuring the safety and operational efficiency of the Vietnam 257 MW solar project.

1. Yuding 500 MW Combiner Box Project

   Fonrich’s system was instrumental in maintaining high standards of safety and efficiency in the Yuding 500 MW combiner box project.

2. 
   

   
   

In conclusion, Fonrich's Smart Combiner Box Monitoring System is the backbone of efficient and safe operations for large-scale solar plants. With its advanced monitoring capabilities, high adaptability, and robust reliability, it significantly enhances plant safety and operational performance, ensuring long-term, hassle-free operation even under challenging conditions.