There are No Dumb Questions. There are Only
Frequently Asked
questions
Solar MSA FAQ
ConnectDER products work with utility partnership or permission. We’re currently working with over a dozen utilities across North America to grow adoption of DERs and ease the interconnection process with the grid.
Yes and yes. All ConnectDER products are safe and approved.
It depends on the model and quantities ordered but ConnectDERs typically cost around $500 via electrical distributors with some variation by model and region, with discounts available for volume.
Contact sales or email info@connectder.com for more information.
Under the right circumstances, yes. Contact us here.
Nearly every residential meter socket will work with ConnectDERs. The limiting conditions are condition and size. ConnectDERs should never be used in rusted out or A-base meter sockets, or in certain positions in multi-gang meter sockets.
We support up to 200A, ring type or ringless, 2S or 12S meter form.
Meter socket adapters must be installed by licensed electricians, qualified persons, or utility personnel.
EV MSA FAQ
EV MSA V1.0 should be installed by qualified personnel including utility metering technicians or electricians/installers approved to work within meter sockets.
The DER branch circuit connects loads/sources such as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) and/or Listed uni-or bi-directional interactive equipment, maximum 32 amps continuous recommended.
There is a 3-year product warranty for the EV MSA if installed and operated in accordance with instructions.
All circuits are connected on the home-side of the meter, meaning electricity drawn through the MSA is billed normally.
EV MSA V1.0 works with any level 2 EVSE that meets the common requirement of:
- Configurable to 32 amps maximum continuous current draw.
- Hard-wired from EV MSA. Use of pluggable EVSE is prohibited.
The EV MSA V1.0 does support bidirectional EVSE. Like solar PV, use of bidirectional EVSE would require utility interconnection approval. Bidirectional EVSE may be used only as an interactive, grid-tied system (vehicle-to-grid or V2G). It cannot be used for backup power to the premises via the EV MSA since it does not isolate the home from the grid.
EV MSA V1.0 was designed primarily to support electric vehicle charging, but can also connect any non-critical 240V electrical equipment. In periods of high home power consumption, the load is temporarily shed, or turned off, so the homeowner should be comfortable without use of that load during that period. For other applications, please contact support@connectder.com for more information.
Yes, the EV MSA V1.0 can support solar PV but for solar only applications, we recommend use of the Solar MSA. Additionally, installation of solar PV requires utility interconnection approval.
Yes, the EV MSA V1.0 can support solar PV and BESS systems. However, PV and storage may be used only as an interactive, grid-tied system. It cannot be used for backup power to the premises via the EV MSA since it does not isolate the home from the grid. This application requires limits on some BESS functions, such as “storm surge”. Please see our Technical Note for further details. Requires utility interconnection approval.
EV MSA V1.0 is compatible with meter sockets rated up to 200 amps maximum, but is intended for use with 100 or 125-amp services. The whole-house capacity of a 200 amp service will be reduced to 100 or 125 amps with the EV MSA V1.0.
Yes, the EV MSA V1.0 can support solar-only PV but for solar only applications, we recommend use of the Solar MSA. Additionally, installation of solar PV requires utility interconnection approval.
EV MSA V1.0 works with both ring-type and ringless meter sockets as well as horn and bypass sockets.
EV MSA V1.0 is not compatible with 3-phase electrical panels.
EV MSA V1.0 is compatible with 2S meter forms only.
All circuits are connected on the home-side of the meter, meaning electricity is billed normally through the electric utility billing meter.
If the EV MSA senses there is too much power being consumed for the rated service size, it will disconnect the EVSE/branch circuit. Once home power consumption reduces under the threshold for 30 minutes, the EV MSA will reconnect the EVSE/branch circuit and allow normal operation
Yes, the EV should resume charging, though timing may be dependent on the EVSE and car. Please refer to the manufacturer’s documentation for details.
Red LED means the DER Branch Circuit is powered off. Blinking Red LED indicates the DER Branch Circuit will power off soon unless the whole-house power consumptions drops to a sustainably safe level. Refer to the User Manual or Installation Manual for details.
A local disconnect is not required in most juridistictions, the service disconnect is incorporated into the EV MSA
The EV MSA will disconnect the EVSE if either phase, or both phases, exceed the current maximum for the given time.
The EV MSA contains no ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection and must be hardwired only (not cord-and-plug-connected) to Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment.
The branch circuit has a breaker that will limit the branch current draw. Exceeding the 32A limit may cause nuisance tripping of the relay and disconnection of the branch circuit
The EV MSA V1.0 has internal relays to de-energize the EVSE. A clicking sound would indicate that the relays have either opened or closed to either disconnect or reconnect the EVSE.