ABB – Error Code E016

ABB – Error Code E016

Is your ABB Solar Inverter showing up with Error Code E016 on the screen?

What is a ABB Error Code E016

Inverter Fail. Yellow LED light on. There’s a problem in the DC-AC inverter circuit.

Recommended solution/fix steps

Contact solar technician.

Troubleshooting to try

• Check if your inverter is switched on
• Check if your DC isolator is turned on
• Check if all the light indicators are green
• Try rebooting the whole system

How to restart/reset/reboot your ABB solar inverter?

Follow the inverter shut down procedure label which may be located on your inverter or the main switchboard of your house.

Typically, this procedure will be:

1. Turn off the AC “Solar Supply Main Switch” or “Inverter Main Switch” located on the main switchboard of the house.
2. Turn off the AC isolator at the inverter (if present)
3. Turn off the “PV array DC isolator”, located next to the inverter. The screen should go blank, and the lights should go off.  Leave it like this for five minutes or so, and then switch it back on.
4. Wait a few minutes…
5. Turn the inverter back in reverse order (DC isolator first, AC second).
6. DC On first. It is very important that you restart by switching the DC isolator on first, as you shouldn’t switch DC under load (ie with the AC on), as the isolator could arc.
7. AC On next. Put the AC switch (solar supply main switch) back on, and then wait.  All inverters take at least one minute to restart, and you may see the lights flashing while the inverter does internal testing.  There will also be a variety of messages on the screen again as it tests.  This is quite normal.

ABB Maintenance

The primary goal in maintenance is to prevent failures and eliminate potential damages as quickly and safely as possible – at the lowest feasible cost. A life cycle assessment carried out by ABB or an ABB channel partner provides the foundation for developing a long-term maintenance and improvement plan. The purpose of the assessment is to define measures to be taken for lowering operational costs, improving productivity, reducing environmental impact and enhancing safety. An effective improvement plan not only helps customers budget maintenance costs, but also helps plan for future upgrades, retrofits and replacements. ABB recommends regular preventive maintenance of its converters and inverters throughout their lifetime to ensure maximum availability and minimum unplanned repair costs. Preventive maintenance consists of annual inspections and component replacements according to product-specific maintenance schedules. Risk of inverter damage or personal injury due to incorrect service! Always keep in mind that the inverter is powered by dual sources: PV strings and utility grid.

Before any service work, observe the following procedure:

• Disconnect the AC circuit breaker and then set the DC load-break switch if the inverter to OFF;
• Wait at least 10 minutes for inner capacitors to discharge completely;
• Verify that there is no voltage or current before pulling any connector.

Maintenance Items include:

• If the inverter is dirty, clean the enclosure, the enclosure lid, the type label and the LEDs using only clean water and a cloth.
• Ensure that the inverter is free of dust, foliage and other dirt.