The Enphase Enpower Smart Switch is a microgrid interconnection device (MID) designed to manage energy flow in residential solar and storage systems. It connects the home to grid power, the Encharge storage system, and solar PV, ensuring seamless energy management. The Enpower automatically detects grid failures and transitions the home energy system from grid power to backup power, providing grid-independent capabilities for PV and storage. It consolidates interconnection equipment into a single enclosure, simplifying installations.

The Enphase Ensemble system, which includes the Enpower Smart Switch, allows homeowners to have power when the grid is down and save money when the grid is up. The system measures PV production, home energy consumption, and energy storage, intelligently deciding when to charge or discharge battery power for optimal energy use.

Usage Features:

The Enpower Smart Switch is designed for both indoor and outdoor installation, housed in a NEMA type 3R enclosure. It must be installed by qualified electricians in accordance with all national and local electrical codes and standards. The installation process involves several key steps, starting with planning a suitable location. The chosen location should be well-ventilated, with ambient temperatures between -40°C and 50°C, and preferably out of direct sunlight. The mounting surface must be structurally sound to support the Enpower's weight of 38.5 kg (85 lbs). Clearances of at least 15cm (six inches) from the ground and ceiling for indoor installations, and 91cm (three feet) off the ground for outdoor installations, are required. Additionally, a minimum of 90cm (three feet) of clearance in front of the Enpower is necessary for access.

Installation begins with securely attaching the wall-mount bracket to a wall stud, ensuring it is level and properly oriented. Care must be taken to avoid drilling into electrical wiring or pipes within the wall. Once the bracket is in place, two persons are required to lift and mount the Enpower onto the bracket, ensuring it is fully seated and secured with custom M6 screws to prevent vertical movement.

The Enpower includes one pre-installed two-pole 40A circuit breaker for the neutral forming transformer (NFT). Additional breakers, such as those for AC grid, main load, Enphase IQ Combiner, Enphase Encharge batteries, and a generator (reserved for future use), can be installed as needed. Only specific Eaton BR Series and CSR breakers, as listed in the manual, are permitted. The deadfront must be carefully removed to access the breaker positions, and filler plates must be removed for each breaker installed. Conductors are then wired to the appropriate breaker connections, following specified torque values to ensure secure connections. The polarity of L1 and L2 is important when installing consumption CTs.

The Enpower requires a wireless connection to an IQ Envoy, which in turn needs an Internet connection for optimal operation and warranty compliance. A Wireless USB Adapter (COMMS-KIT-01) is installed at the Envoy to facilitate communication with Encharge and Enpower. The Enphase Installer Toolkit mobile app is used for onsite system configuration and activation, allowing installers to connect to the IQ Envoy, view summary reports, and sync system information with Enlighten monitoring software.

Maintenance Features:

The Enpower Smart Switch is designed for reliability, but in the event of a system malfunction, troubleshooting steps are provided. For detailed information, installers can refer to the Enphase Technical Brief: Troubleshooting an Enphase Ensemble Energy Management Technology System.

A manual override switch is available for situations where the Enpower's Microgrid Interconnection Device (MID) relay is in an opened position and needs to be manually bypassed. This feature is intended for use only when directed by Enphase Customer Support. Before actuating the override switch, all power sources feeding the Enpower must be de-energized, including the main breaker, Encharge battery circuit breaker, and IQ Combiner circuit breaker. The override switch is accessed by removing a cover and label on the Enpower deadfront, then using a Phillips screwdriver to remove a screw and plastic snaps. The switch can be toggled to the left to manually close the MID relay, placing the system in manual override mode and grid-tied.

To exit manual override, a similar sequence of steps is followed: opening specific breakers (Encharge, mains, auto transformer), turning off all Encharge units, waiting for residual charge to dissipate, toggling the manual override switch to the right to open the MID relay, and then closing all breakers and turning on Encharge units. This ensures the system returns to normal, fully functional operation.

The Enpower also has field-adjustable voltage and frequency trip points, which may be set according to local requirements by an authorized installer with permission from local electrical authorities. This allows for customization to meet specific grid conditions and regulations. The system is designed to be robust, with the manual override state immune to power cycles or resets, ensuring stability until service can be performed.

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