Outback Power Systems GS3548E Operators Manual - Manual (Page 23)

Operation
900-0145-01-01 Rev A 21
Table 1 Summary of Input Modes
Mode Summary Benefits Cautions Intended Charger
Generator Accepts power
from an
irregular or
low-quality
AC source
 Can use AC that may be
unusable in other modes
 Can charge even with a
poor generator or
low-quality AC source
 Will pass irregular or
low-quality power to
the output; could
damage sensitive loads
 Offset unavailable
Source:
Generator
Loads:
Non-
sensitive
devices
Performs three-stage
charge and goes
silent as specified by
settings.
Support Adds battery
power to
augment an
AC source that
has limited
output
 Can use battery power
in conjunction with
AC source
 Offset operation sends
excess DC to loads
 Drains batteries during
support; intended for
intermittent use only
 May not function with
low-quality AC source
Source:
Grid or
Generator
Loads:
Can be
larger than
AC source
Performs three-stage
charge and goes
silent as specified by
user settings.
Grid-
Tied Inverter sells
excess power
(renewable)
to utility
 Bidirectional input
 Can reduce utility bills
and still provide backup
 Offset operation sends
excess DC to loads
 Any additional Offset
excess is sold to the grid
 Requires utility
approval
 Other approvals may be
required depending on
electrical codes
 Has exact requirements
for accepting AC input
 Requires renewable
energy source
Source:
Grid
Loads:
Any type Performs three-stage
charge and goes
silent as specified by
user settings.
UPS In grid failure,
unit switches
to batteries
with fastest
possible
response time
 Quick backup for
sensitive devices during
grid outage
 Uses higher idle power
than other modes
 Search function
unavailable
 Offset unavailable
Source:
Grid
Loads:
PC, audio,
video, etc.
Performs three-stage
charge and goes
silent as specified by
user settings.
Backup In grid failure,
unit switches
batteries to
support loads;
this is the
default mode
 Simple use compared to
other modes; often
used with generators for
this reason
 Less idle power than UPS
 Does not drain battery as
in Support
Has none of the special
functions described in
other modes, including
Offset
Source:
Grid or
Generator
Loads:
Any type
Performs three-stage
charge and goes
silent as specified by
user settings.
Mini Grid Stays off grid
most of the
time; only uses
grid when
batteries low
 Can minimize/eliminate
dependence on grid
 Offset operation sends
excess DC to loads (but
only when on grid)
 Will not work properly
unless renewable
source is above a
certain size
 Conflicts with related
modes in MATE3
Source:
Grid
Loads:
Any type Performs three-stage
charge on reconnect;
if charger is disabled,
inverter emulates
charge cycle from
external source and
reacts accordingly
Grid Zero On-grid but
actual grid use
is “zeroed out”
with battery
and renewable
power; does
not sell or
charge
 Can minimize/eliminate
dependence on grid
 Offset operation sends
excess DC to loads at
adjustable rate
 Remains on-grid to avoid
transfer problems
 Discharges batteries
while remaining on grid
 Will not work properly
unless renewable
source is above a
certain size
 Battery charger
inoperative
Source:
Grid
Loads:
Any type Charger inoperative;
batteries must be
charged using an
external (renewable)
energy source