The Complete Guide To Sofar Inverter Error Codes

The mains voltage at the inverter went above the limit it is allowed to export at, so it disconnected. It reconnects by itself when the grid settles; if it happens most sunny afternoons the cable run or the street voltage needs checking.

The mains voltage dropped below the inverter's lower limit, so it stopped exporting. This is almost always the grid, a brownout or a switched-off solar breaker, and clears by itself.

The grid frequency went above the inverter's limit for a moment and it disconnected. It reconnects by itself once the grid is steady again.

The grid frequency dipped below the inverter's limit and it disconnected. It reconnects by itself once the grid is steady again.

The inverter is reducing its output because the grid frequency is high, which the grid rules require. It is not a fault and returns to normal on its own.

On a Sofar string inverter, the voltage from the panels is below the minimum it needs to start, which is normal at dawn and dusk but a string design problem if it stays all day. On a HYD hybrid the same number means the battery voltage is too high.

On a Sofar string inverter, the voltage from the panels is above what the inverter can accept, usually too many panels in one string, which shows up most on cold clear mornings. On a HYD hybrid the same number is an internal bus overvoltage trip; either way it needs an electrician if it comes back. Bus faults are internal, so we treat them as a call.

On a Sofar string inverter, the current from the two panel inputs is uneven, usually because the input mode is set to parallel when the strings are different. On a HYD hybrid the same number is an internal boost-stage overvoltage trip. A restart may clear it; if it comes back the settings or the inverter need an electrician. Over-voltage, over-current and short-circuit faults can damage hardware, so we treat them as a call.

The inverter is reducing its output because it is running hot. This is normal on very hot days; if it happens often or in mild weather the mounting spot or cooling needs a look.

The inverter has cut back (ID83) or switched off (ID84) because it received a remote command, for example from an export-limit device or the network. If nothing should be sending that, the control signal wiring needs checking.

On a Sofar string inverter, the inverter measured current leaking to earth from the solar wiring, usually damaged cable insulation or water in a connector. On a HYD hybrid the same number is a battery overcurrent trip. A one-off in wet weather can clear itself, but a repeat is a safety issue and needs an electrician.

The inverter's own earth-leakage sensor has failed its check, as opposed to finding a real leak. If a restart does not clear it the sensor or board inside has failed.

The inverter found too little insulation between the panel wiring and earth, usually water in a connector or isolator, a chafed cable or a damaged panel. It is a safety trip and needs an electrician to find the fault.

On a Sofar hybrid, the earth wire on the AC output is missing or has a poor connection, so the inverter will not export until it is fixed. It needs an electrician.

The current from the panels tripped the inverter's hardware protection. Usually a string is bigger than the input is rated for or the input mode is wrong; if the wiring checks out the inverter has an internal fault.

The inverter's output current tripped its hardware protection. The manual treats this as an internal fault: switch off, wait five minutes and restart, and if it comes back the inverter needs an electrician.

The inverter's circuit that measures grid current, DC injection or grid voltage (ID17, ID18, ID19) is giving bad readings. The manual lists these as internal faults: if a restart does not clear it the inverter needs an electrician.

The inverter's main control chip has failed its check. If a restart does not clear it the control board has failed and the inverter needs an electrician.

The small power supply that runs the inverter's own electronics is out of range. If a restart does not clear it the inverter needs repair.

The voltage on the inverter's internal DC bus is too low, too high, unbalanced or not being read (ID23, ID25, ID26, ID27). The manual lists these as internal faults: if a restart does not clear it the inverter needs an electrician.

The inverter is letting a small amount of DC into its AC output, which the grid rules do not allow. The string manual points first at the input mode setting; if that is right and it keeps coming back the output stage needs testing. DC on the AC side is a protection fault, so we treat it as a call.

The inverter's software saw an instant of too much current on the grid side (ID29) or the panel side (ID30). A restart may clear a one-off; if it repeats the string size, wiring and inverter need an electrician.

On a Sofar HYD hybrid, the appliances on the backup circuit are drawing more than the inverter can supply (ID34), or the CT clamp that measures the house load is loose or fitted backwards (ID35). Reduce the backup load, or have the CT checked.

The inverter's two control processors are reading different values for grid voltage, frequency, DC injection or earth leakage (ID48 to ID52). A one-off after a grid disturbance can be ignored; if it repeats it is an internal fault and the inverter needs an electrician.

The processors inside the inverter have stopped talking to each other. If a restart does not clear it the control board needs an electrician.

The control board has lost contact with the communication board that runs the display and monitoring. The inverter may keep generating, but if a restart does not clear it the board needs an electrician.

The relay that connects the inverter to the grid failed its self-test. A restart may clear a one-off; a repeat means the relay or power board has failed, which is a job for an electrician.

The inverter has recorded a fault it treats as unrecoverable: grid overcurrent, bus overvoltage or an unbalance that kept repeating (ID65 to ID70). A restart may clear the screen for a while but it comes back until the inverter is repaired or assessed under warranty.

The current from the panels tripped the hardware protection so often that the inverter has locked out. It needs an electrician to check the strings and the inverter.

The inverter's settings memory failed a write (ID75) or read (ID76) and it has locked out. If a restart does not clear it the control board needs repair or a firmware reload.

The relay that connects the inverter to the grid has failed its self-test so often that the inverter has decided it is faulty. It needs an electrician; this is normally a repair or replacement, not a restart.

The communication board's memory (ID95) or clock chip (ID96) has failed. The inverter may keep generating, but monitoring and scheduling will be affected; if a restart does not clear it the board needs replacing. Internal and hardware faults need testing with the right instruments, so we treat them as a call.

The memory card that logs the inverter's data is faulty or loose. Generation is not affected; the card needs reseating or replacing. Internal and hardware faults need testing with the right instruments, so we treat them as a call.

The inverter's internal, boost-stage or surrounding temperature (ID57, ID58, ID59) went over its limit, so it stopped. Usually it is mounted in direct sun or a hot, closed space; it comes back once it cools, but if it happens on ordinary days the fan or heatsink needs a look. Heat shutdowns point at a failing fan, a blocked vent or a bad installation spot, so we treat them as a call.

On a Sofar HYD hybrid, the inverter cannot talk to the battery's management system, usually the data cable or the wrong battery type selected. The cable and settings need checking.

On a Sofar HYD hybrid, the battery has stopped discharging because it reached its set limit or is low (ID85), could not complete a forced charge (ID86), or its own management system tripped on current or temperature (ID100 to ID107). Occasional events clear themselves; frequent ones need the battery settings and installation checked. Heat shutdowns point at a failing fan, a blocked vent or a bad installation spot, so we treat them as a call.

On a Sofar string inverter, the input mode does not match how the strings are wired. On a HYD hybrid the same number is an internal converter overcurrent trip. The installer needs to correct the setting or test the unit. Over-voltage, over-current and short-circuit faults can damage hardware, so we treat them as a call.

The inverter has locked out because its input mode has been wrong for too long. The installer needs to correct the PV input mode setting to match the string wiring. A protection lockout means the inverter found something it will not run with, so we treat it as a call.

The software on the inverter's control board and communication board do not match, usually after a partial update. Sofar support or a technician needs to update the software.

The inverter's grid-standard country setting is missing or invalid, so it will not export. Your installer needs to set the Australian standard.