Enphase Q-LCF-064-1P Line Communication Filter

Enphase, Filter electrical noise or signals between multiple IQ Envoys and their respective communication domains in a split-phase system, Q-LCF-064-1P

The IQ Microinverter system uses a new generation of Power Line Communication (PLC), making device detection and communication between the IQ Micros and IQ Envoy the fastest and most robust yet. For advanced functionality and Home Energy Systems that use the Enphase IQ Battery, the IQ Envoy will not only monitor the generation and storage devices, but also control them. Best practices described in this document around IQ Envoy location and electrical connection within the system provide the best approach for ensuring strong and lasting PLC performance. In the rare instances where local conditions on the electrical system have noise levels that interfere with the PLC, optional single-phase line communication filtering that isolates the Enphase Home Energy System equipment from the noise source and/or rest of the electrical system at the site, is now available.

The single-phase line communication filter (Q-LCF-064-1) provides line-to-line filtering specifically for IQ systems, but is not required for most systems and should not be specified in every design of residential systems. When needed, the line filter provides a reliable means to mitigate issues with site electrical noise should they arise and interfere with communications. To minimize the cost of adding line filtering to a system, it makes sense to design the system so that a filter can be retrofitted into the system later with ease. Simply locate the IQ Envoy and the IQ Microinverter circuits off a common sub panel. The IQ Combiner is perfect for that purpose. If designing a system with a Q Aggregator, we recommend landing the Q Aggregator output circuit in a sub panel alongside the IQ Envoy so it does not have to later be moved to the array side of a line filter, should that be added.

The single-phase line communication filter may also be used to separate communication domains of sites that have multiple Envoys, or sites where a neighbor’s home also has an Enphase Microinverter system. The PLC signals used for communicating between the IQ Envoy and the IQ Microinverters is fundamentally different from the PLC signals used with previous generation Enphase Microinverter systems. The IQ Micros use line-to-line communications, where previous generation Enphase Microinverter systems use line to neutral communications. For this reason, the IQ systems are not compatible with previous generation Enphase Microinverter systems. Enphase will continue to provide microinverter and Envoy products that are compatible with legacy systems, and line filtering may be used to isolate an Enphase IQ Microinverter System from a previous generation Enphase Microinverter systems.

Features

• Highlights - Easy installation and high compatibility with Enphase IQ series.