JP2015042101A - Power conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cut off power supply from PCS, connected to external equipment through a two-wire communication cable of a power superposition system, when power is supplied from the external equipment.SOLUTION: A PCS 1 for converting power generated and output from a power generation unit 2 into AC power connected to a power system 3 includes: a control unit 14 settable of whether or not to supply power to external equipment; a power circuit 16 for supplying power to the control unit 14; a power input/output unit 5 connected to external equipment 7; a two-wire communication circuit 15 for communicating with the external equipment 7 through the input/output unit 5 by the power superposition system; and a relay 21 for switching whether or not to supply power to the external equipment 7 through the power input/output unit 5. The relay 21 is switch controlled on the basis of the setting state of the control unit 14 and the presence and absence of power supply from the external equipment 7.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power conditioner including a power input / output unit for connecting to an external device such as a communication interface unit or a water heater of an external monitor device via a power line.

  Conventionally, the applicant of the present application has developed a photovoltaic power conditioner including a communication circuit that transmits and receives a communication signal in a power superimposition method while supplying power to an external display device. Patent Document 1 discloses this.

  This conventional power conditioner includes a converter that boosts DC power supplied from a solar panel, an inverter that converts DC power boosted by the converter into AC power that can be connected to a system, and an output from the inverter Grid connection relay for connecting the AC power to the grid to the grid, the DC link unit that is interposed between the converter and the inverter and connects them, the received power from the grid, the household power consumption, etc. A power measurement unit that measures power, a communication unit that communicates with an external display device, a control unit that controls each part of the power conditioner, and a power supply circuit that is a power source of the power measurement unit, the communication unit, and the control unit As the main part.

  The power supply circuit is a power supply device that supplies operating power to the power measurement unit, the communication unit, and the control unit, and the power supply circuit can be supplied with power from both the solar panel and the system.

  The communication unit includes a communication circuit that performs wired communication with an external display device via a two-core communication line (power line) such as a coaxial cable. The communication circuit receives power supplied from the power circuit. A communication signal is transmitted and received by a power supply superposition method while supplying power to the display device by using the power supply (see FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1). And it is comprised so that information, such as received electric power measured by the electric power measurement part and household power consumption, may be transmitted to a display apparatus and displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1, the display device (remote controller) can be connected to a water heater by a two-core communication line, and receives and displays various information for the water heater transmitted from the water heater. Can be done.

  On the other hand, the hot water heater manufactured and sold by the applicant of the present application is, as disclosed in Patent Document 2 below, an external device such as a remote control with a two-core power supply superposition system that serves as both a power line and a communication line. When the power conditioner is connected to the water heater via the two-core communication line, power is supplied from the water heater to the power conditioner.

JP2013-99058A JP 2004-294007 A

  As shown in FIG. 2 of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the water heater and the power conditioner are connected by a two-core communication line of the power supply superposition method, the respective polarities of the power supply on the water heater side and the power supply on the power conditioner side If they are connected in the opposite direction, an excessive electric load is generated in the power circuit and other circuits, and circuit components such as an electrolytic capacitor constituting the power circuit may be damaged. On the other hand, when the display device is connected only to the power conditioner, it is necessary to configure the power supply from the power conditioner to the display device.

  Therefore, it is necessary to take measures on the circuit configuration of either the water heater or the power conditioner. However, the water heater is mass-produced as a general-purpose product, and if a water heater for a solar power generation system is manufactured and sold separately, a significant cost is required. There is a problem of increasing the power consumption, and there is also a demand to connect a solar power generation system using a water heater already installed in the home as it is.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a power conditioner having a power input / output unit for supplying power to an external device such as an external display device, when the power input / output unit is connected to an external device that supplies power such as a water heater. This enables the power supply from the power conditioner power circuit to the power input / output unit to be cut off, while connecting external equipment that operates with power supply from the power conditioner such as a display device. An object of the present invention is to enable power supply from the power supply circuit to the power input / output unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following technical means.

  That is, according to the present invention, in a power conditioner that converts generated power output from a power generation unit into AC power linked to a power system, a control unit, a power supply circuit for supplying power to the control unit, and an external device are connected. A power input / output unit, and switching means that is controlled to be switched by the control unit to either a state in which power is supplied from the power circuit to the external device via the power input / output unit or a state in which no power is supplied. (Claim 1).

  According to the power conditioner of the present invention, the switching unit that is controlled to be switched by the control unit between the state in which power is supplied from the power circuit to the external device via the power input / output unit and the state in which no power is supplied is provided. If the external device is wired to the power input / output unit as an external device, or the wireless interface unit that communicates wirelessly with the wireless portable monitor device is wired to the power input / output unit as an external device, etc. In the case of operating by power supply from the power conditioner, the control unit can be configured to switch and control the switching means to supply power from the power supply circuit to the external device. On the other hand, when a hot water supply device that supplies power to the outside is connected to the power input / output unit, the control unit can be configured to switch and control the switching unit so that power is not supplied from the power supply circuit to the external device. Therefore, by appropriately designing the control unit, it is possible to prevent damage to circuit components due to simultaneous power supply from an external device such as a water heater and power supply from the power circuit of the power conditioner.

  As the configuration of the control unit as described above, setting means for setting whether to supply power to an external device, such as a dip switch or a software switch by a microcomputer, is provided, and the setting contents of the setting means The switching means can be controlled to be switched based on the above. The switching means may be a relay provided in a power supply line between the power supply circuit and the power supply input / output unit, a switching element such as a power transistor incorporated in the power supply circuit, or the like.

  The power conditioner of the present invention further includes a communication unit connected to the power input / output unit, and the communication unit operates by power supply from the power circuit or the external device via the power input / output unit. The communication unit is configured to transmit / receive a communication signal to / from an external device via the power input / output unit in a power superposition method, and the control unit switches the state from not supplying power to the external device to supplying power. The switching control of the means can be performed only when power is not supplied to the communication unit from the external device via the power input / output unit (claim 2). According to this, since the power supply line from the power supply circuit to the communication unit is disconnected when the switching unit is switched to a state in which the power is not supplied to the external device, power is not supplied from the external device to the communication unit. The control unit can be activated by being supplied with power, but can not be supplied with power to the communication unit. Power is supplied from both the external device and the power circuit by controlling the switching of the power supply from the state in which the external device is not supplied with power only when the power is not supplied to the communication unit from the external device. It is possible to prevent the circuit component from being damaged and the like. In addition, a communication part shall transmit / receive a communication signal between external apparatuses based on the communication command signal from a control part.

  Further, the communication unit is configured to output a determination signal indicating whether or not power is supplied to the communication unit to the control unit, and whether or not the control unit supplies power to an external device. Setting means (such as a dip switch) is set, and the control unit is set so that the setting unit supplies power to an external device, and power is not supplied from the power supply circuit to the communication unit. Only when the determination signal indicates that power is not supplied, the switching unit is configured to perform switching control from a state in which power is not supplied from the power circuit to an external device to a state in which power is supplied. (Claim 3). According to this, when the setting means is set not to supply power to the external device, it can be prevented from being switched from the power supply circuit to the state of supplying power to the external device, and the setting means can be connected to the external device. Even when the power supply from the external device is detected even though it is set to supply power, it can be prevented from being switched from the power supply circuit to the state of supplying power to the external device. The switching means can be appropriately switched based on the setting contents of the means and the actual power supply state from the external device.

  In addition, in the switching control of the switching unit from a state in which power is not supplied from the power circuit to an external device to a state in which power is supplied, the determination signal is not supplied with power without being supplied from the power circuit to the communication unit. It can be executed only when this is continuously indicated for a predetermined time (claim 4). According to this, the external device supplies power to the inverter, but there may be a delay in starting the external device or starting the power supply or due to noise or the like even though power is being supplied from the external device. When the determination signal temporarily indicates that the power is not supplied, it is possible to reliably prevent the switching unit from being inadvertently switched to a state in which power is supplied to the external device.

  In addition, when the setting unit is set not to supply power to an external device, the control is performed so that a predetermined error notification is performed when the determination signal continuously indicates that power is not supplied for a predetermined time. The portion may be configured (claim 5). According to this, when the setting means is set to not supply power to the external device, it should indicate that the determination signal is supplied with power if the wiring with the external device is correctly performed, The judgment signal is not supplied with power because the setting means setting error, wiring failure with the external device, power failure of the external device, etc. can be considered. The operator can be encouraged to perform work such as wiring.

  Further, when the setting means is set to supply power to an external device, a predetermined error notification is given if the determination signal indicates that the power is not supplied from the power circuit to the communication unit. It is assumed that the control unit is configured to perform (Claim 6). According to this, when the setting means is set to supply power to the external device, it should indicate that the determination signal is not supplied if the wiring with the external device is correctly performed. The signal indicates that power is being supplied because the external device is supplying power to the inverter, so it is possible to notify the operator that correct settings and wiring work should be performed by notifying the error. Can be urged.

  In addition, the control unit is configured to perform a normal control operation after performing a predetermined startup process at the time of startup, and the switching control of the switching unit is executed only during the startup process and executed during the normal control operation. (Claim 7). According to this, it is possible to determine in which state the switching means should be switched during the start-up process, and to perform switching control to an appropriate state, and it is possible to simplify the control configuration.

  As described above, according to the power conditioner of the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit can be set to either a state in which power is supplied from the power supply circuit to the external device via the power input / output unit or a state in which no power is supplied. Since the switching means for switching control is provided, the external monitor device as an external device is wired to the power input / output unit, or the wireless interface unit that communicates wirelessly with the wireless portable monitor device is used as the external device. If the external device is operated by power supply from the power conditioner, such as when connected to a cable, the control unit is configured to switch the switching means to supply power from the power circuit to the external device. can do. On the other hand, when a hot water supply device that supplies power to the outside is connected to the power input / output unit, the control unit can be configured to switch and control the switching unit so that power is not supplied from the power supply circuit to the external device. Therefore, by appropriately designing the control unit, it is possible to prevent damage to circuit components due to simultaneous power supply from an external device such as a water heater and power supply from the power circuit of the power conditioner.

  Further, according to the power conditioner according to claim 2 of the present invention, the power supply line from the power circuit to the communication unit is disconnected when the switching unit is switched to a state in which power is not supplied to the external device. If power is not supplied from the external device to the communication unit, the control unit is activated by being supplied with power, but the communication unit is not supplied with power. Power is supplied from both the external device and the power circuit by controlling the switching of the power supply from the state in which the external device is not supplied with power only when the power is not supplied to the communication unit from the external device. It is possible to prevent the circuit component from being damaged and the like.

  According to the power conditioner of claim 3 of the present invention, when the setting means is set not to supply power to the external device, the power conditioner is controlled to switch to a state in which power is supplied from the power circuit to the external device. In addition, the power supply circuit supplies power to the external device even when it is detected that power is supplied from the external device even though the setting means is set to supply power to the external device. Therefore, the switching unit can be appropriately switched based on the setting content of the setting unit and the actual power supply state from the external device.

  Further, according to the power conditioner according to claim 4 of the present invention, the external device supplies power to the power conditioner. However, when a delay occurs in starting of the external device or starting of power supply, When the power is supplied but the judgment signal temporarily indicates that the power is not supplied due to noise, etc., the switching means is inadvertently switched to the state of supplying power to the external device. Can be surely prevented.

  Further, according to the power conditioner of claim 5 of the present invention, when the setting means is set not to supply power to the external device, the determination signal is output if the wiring with the external device is correctly performed. It should indicate that the power is supplied, and that the judgment signal is not supplied may be due to an error in the setting of the setting means, poor wiring with the external device, or power failure of the external device. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the worker to perform correct settings, wiring, and the like by performing error notification.

  According to the power conditioner of claim 6 of the present invention, when the setting means is set to supply power to the external device, the determination signal is supplied from the power source if the wiring to the external device is correctly performed. It should indicate that power is not supplied, and the judgment signal indicates that power is being supplied because the external device is supplying power to the inverter. The operator can be encouraged to perform work such as wiring and wiring.

  Further, according to the power conditioner according to claim 7 of the present invention, it is possible to determine to which state the switching means should be switched during the startup process, and to perform switching control to an appropriate state. Simplification can be achieved.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the state which connected the power conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the communication interface for external monitor apparatuses. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the state which connected the power conditioner, the water heater, and the communication interface for external monitor apparatuses.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a power conditioner 1 (hereinafter referred to as “PCS”) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The PCS is generated by a solar panel 2 (hereinafter referred to as “power generation unit”). The direct current power to be output is converted into alternating current power connected to the commercial power system 3 and output to the system 3. Various electric loads 4 in the home are connected to the system 3, and a water heater described later is also part of the electric load 4. Further, the power conditioner 1 is provided with a pair of power input / output terminals (power input / output units) 5, and via a power supply line 6 composed of a power supply two-core wiring cable (such as a coaxial cable) connected to the terminals 5. The communication interface unit 7 (external device) is connected to the power conditioner 1 to supply power from the power conditioner 1 to the communication interface unit 7 via the power line 6 and to supply various information from the power conditioner 1. It can be transmitted to the communication interface unit 7 via the line 6.

  The communication interface unit 7 includes a two-core communication circuit 71 and a wireless communication circuit 72 that operate by receiving power supply via the power line 6, and the two-core communication circuit 71 is a two-core of the power conditioner 1 in a power superimposition method. Communication with the communication circuit 15 is performed. The information received by the two-core communication circuit 71 is supplied to the wireless communication circuit 72, and the information is transmitted to the monitor device 8 by wireless communication. The monitor device 8 can be configured by a tablet terminal or the like, stores the received information in a built-in memory, and performs various displays based on the received information by performing a predetermined operation. For example, generated power amount information, purchased and sold power information, and the like can be displayed in various modes such as daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.

  The power conditioner 1 has a DC link unit 10 constituted by a DC link capacitor and a DC power supplied from the power generation unit 2 corresponding to a maximum value of an AC system voltage (for example, 280 V in the case of 200V AC power). The DC / DC converter 11 that converts power to boost the voltage (for example, 350 V) and outputs it to the DC link unit 10, and converts the DC power supplied from the DC link unit 10 into AC power linked to the system power Voltage-type bridge inverter 12 (DC / AC inverter), a normally open contact type disconnection protection relay 13 provided on the output side of the inverter 12, a control unit 14 mainly constituted by a microcomputer, and the communication A two-core communication circuit 15 (communication unit) that communicates with the two-core communication circuit 71 of the interface unit 7, a control unit 14, and two cores It is mainly constituted by a power supply circuit 16 for supplying power to the signal circuit 15 and the power supply input terminal 5.

  The converter 11 may be an insulation type or a non-insulation type conventionally known appropriate one, but is preferably configured by a step-up chopper circuit for a photovoltaic power generation system.

  The inverter 12 is a full-bridge type voltage-type bridge inverter, and four switching elements such as IGBTs are connected in an H-bridge type, and a feedback diode is connected in parallel to each switching element, and an interconnection reactor is provided on the output side. It can be configured by connecting in series. The inverter 12 controls the output current by performing so-called current mode control (current control of the voltage source inverter) by the control unit 14.

  The control unit 14 controls each power conversion operation in the converter 11 and the inverter 12 and the cut-off operation of the protection relay 13, and based on detection signals from various sensors, the amount of power generated by the power generation unit 2, the amount of power purchased and sold from the system 3, and the like. The communication control with the monitor device 8 is also performed by sending the calculation result to the two-core communication circuit 15 together with the communication control command signal. Each control function of the control unit 14 is implemented as a control program, but may be configured by a dedicated circuit corresponding to each control function. Moreover, the control board which performs power conversion operation control, and the control board which performs the said calculation and communication control may be provided separately.

  Further, the control unit 14 is provided with setting means 14a including a dip switch for setting whether or not to supply power to the external device via the power input / output terminal 5, a software switch provided in the microcomputer, and the like. The microcomputer constituting the control unit 14 is configured to be able to refer to the setting contents of the setting means 14a as needed. When the setting unit 14a is configured by a physical switch such as a dip switch, it is not necessary to provide the setting unit 14a on the control board of the control unit 14, and the setting unit 14a is provided at an appropriate position in the casing of the power conditioner 1. Can be installed.

  The two-core communication circuit 15 is connected to the power input / output terminal 5 via the diode bridge 17, and even if the polarity of the DC power supplied to the pair of power input / output terminals 5 is positive / negative, the two-core communication circuit 15 Is supplied with the correct polarity. The two-core communication circuit 15 communicates with the two-core communication circuit 71 of the communication interface unit 7 by the power supply superposition method based on the communication control command signal from the control unit 14, and transmits a digital signal to be transmitted. A high-frequency signal of several hundred kHz to several MHz is modulated by an appropriate modulation method, transmitted to an external device by being superimposed on a DC power source supplied to the power input / output terminal 5, and received by being superimposed on a power source in the external device The signal is demodulated and sent to the control unit 14 via a signal line. In the two-core communication circuit 15 of the present embodiment, the received signal to the control unit 14 is Low (eg, 0 V) when the power is off, and to the control unit 14 when the power is on and the received signal is not superimposed on the power source. The received signal output is set to High (for example, 5 V). Thus, the reception signal of the two-core communication circuit 15 can be used as a determination signal indicating whether or not the power is supplied to the two-core communication circuit 15. In addition to the reception signal output, it is also possible to configure the circuit so as to generate a determination signal that becomes Low when the power is not supplied and becomes High when the power is supplied and outputs it to the control unit 14.

  The power supply circuit 16 can receive power supply from the DC link unit 10 using the generated power of the power generation unit 2 as input power, and can also receive power supply from the system 3 as input power. The circuit configuration is such that an input power supply of about 100V to 350V is stepped down to a predetermined voltage (for example, 5V, 12V, etc.) and output.

  Specifically, the input side of the power supply circuit 16 is connected to the DC link unit 10 via a backflow prevention diode 18 so that generated power is supplied as input power during daytime power generation. The input side of the power supply circuit 16 is connected to the system 3 on the output side of the protection relay 13 via a diode bridge 19 and a normally closed contact type night relay 20, and the system is operated at night when the power generation unit 2 stops generating power. 3 is rectified by the diode bridge 19 and supplied to the input side of the power supply circuit 16 via the night relay 20. The night relay 20 is also controlled to be opened and closed by the control unit 14. When the power generation unit 2 is generating power, the contact is opened so that the power supply from the system 3 to the power supply circuit 16 is cut off. Yes.

  The output side of the power supply circuit 16 is connected to the power supply input section of the control section 14 and is connected to the power supply input / output terminal 5 via a normally open contact type relay 21 (switching means) for switching external power supply, While the power supply circuit 16 is outputting power, the power is always supplied to the control unit 14, and the relay 21 is opened and closed to supply power to the two-core communication circuits 15 and 71 via the power input / output terminal 5 and not to supply power. It can be switched to either one. The relay 21 is also configured to be controlled to be opened and closed by the control unit 14, and the control unit 14 closes the relay 21 when the setting unit 14a is set to supply power to an external device, The relay 21 is opened when the setting means 14a is set not to supply power to the external device. It should be noted that the output side of the relay 21 is between the input side of the diode bridge 17 and the external power supply input / output terminal 5 so that power can be supplied from the power supply circuit 16 to the external device via the external power supply input / output terminal 5. Wired to

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 14 performs switching control of the relay 21 based on the power supply state from the external device to the power input / output terminal 5 in addition to the setting contents of the setting unit 14a. It is configured. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, various information obtained by a control unit (not shown) of the water heater 22 can be displayed on the monitor device 8 so that information can be transmitted from the existing water heater 22 to the monitor device 8. You may want to configure the system. The water heater 22 is also provided with a two-core communication circuit 23 and a power supply circuit 24, and a plurality of external device connection ports 25a and 25b connected in parallel to the two-core communication circuit 23 and the power supply circuit 24. . In order to connect such a water heater 22 to the communication interface unit 7 of the monitor device 8 together with the power conditioner 1, one external device connection port 25 a and the external power input / output terminal 5 of the power conditioner 1 are connected. In addition to being connected by the first power line 6a, another external device connection port 25b and the two-core communication circuit 71 of the communication interface unit 7 are connected by the second power line 6b. As a result, the two-core communication circuit 23 of the water heater and the two-core communication circuit 71 of the communication interface unit 7 are communicably connected via the second power line 6b, and the two-core communication circuit of the power conditioner 1 is connected. 15 and the two-core communication circuit 71 of the communication interface unit 7 are also communicably connected via the first and second power supply lines 6a and 6b. Further, power is supplied from the power supply circuit 24 of the water heater 22 to the communication interface unit 7 via the second power supply line 6b, and the power conditioner is supplied from the power supply circuit 24 of the water heater 22 via the first power supply line 6a. 1 is supplied to the external power input / output terminal 5.

  When the relay 21 is closed in spite of the power supply from the water heater 22, the polarity of the DC power supplied from the power circuit 16 of the power conditioner 1 and the power circuit 24 of the water heater 22 in particular. When the power supply line 6a is connected so that the polarity of the supplied DC power supply is reversed, circuit components such as electrolytic capacitors in each power supply circuit 16 may be damaged. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 14 is configured to perform normal control operations (such as the above-described power conversion operation control, calculation of various information, and various communication controls) after performing a predetermined startup process at the time of startup. The control configuration is such that the switching control of the relay 21 is not performed during the normal control operation after the switching control of the relay 21 is performed during the starting process.

  Specifically, in the startup process, the control unit 14 keeps the relay 21 open and the setting unit 14a is set to supply power to an external device or is set not to supply power. Based on whether the determination signal (reception signal) of the two-core communication circuit 15 is High or Low, the following control is performed.

  a) When the setting means 14a is set not to supply power to the external device and the determination signal is detected to be High, the normal operation control is started in a state where the relay 21 is left open without being immediately closed. To do.

  b) When the setting means 14a is set not to supply power to the external device and it is detected that the determination signal is low for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), it is provided at the front portion of the power conditioner 1. A predetermined error is notified by the LED display device or buzzer.

  c) When the setting means 14a is set to supply power to the external device and it is detected that the determination signal is High, a predetermined error notification is immediately performed. This error notification may be the same as the error notification of b), but it is preferable to make the error notification different from b) in order to easily identify the problem.

  d) When the setting means 14a is set to supply power to the external device, and when it is detected that the determination signal is kept low for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), the relay 21 is closed and normal operation control is performed. To start.

  With this control configuration, the setting unit 14a is set to supply power to the external device, and the determination signal is not supplied with power without being supplied from the power supply circuit 16 to the two-core communication circuit 15. Only when the relay 21 is switched from a state in which no power is supplied from the power supply circuit 16 to the external device to a state in which the power is supplied. Thus, power supply from the external device and the power conditioner 1 are performed. It is possible to reliably avoid a collision with the power supply from the power supply circuit 16.

  As an on-site construction procedure, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the wiring combined with the system configuration is performed, and the setting unit 14a of the power conditioner 1 is appropriately set and operated in accordance with the system configuration. Start up inverter 1. In addition, when connecting the hot water heater 22 as shown in FIG. 2, the hot water heater 22 is started before the power conditioner 1 in consideration of the delay of the power supply accompanying the startup process of the hot water heater 22. It is preferable to keep it.

  When the power conditioner 1 is activated, it is determined whether or not an external device is connected in accordance with the setting content of the setting means 14a by the above-described activation process, and power is supplied to the external device. Since the relay 21 is closed only when the supply is not performed and there is a discrepancy between the setting contents and the power supply state from the external device, an error notification is performed, so that the operator can quickly make a setting error. Can be notified.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and settings can be changed as appropriate. For example, power supply from the system 3 to the input side of the power supply circuit 16 rectifies the system power by a diode bridge composed of four feedback diodes of the inverter 12 by closing the protective relay 13 and stopping the inverter 12. It is also possible to carry out by supplying to the DC link unit 10. In the above embodiment, the water heater 22 is provided with a plurality of connection ports 25a and 25b. However, the power conditioner 1 is provided with a plurality of external power supply input / output terminals 5 in parallel, and the power conditioner 1 and the communication interface unit. 7 and the water heater 22 may be connected to each other by the power line 6. Further, instead of the communication interface unit 7, a monitor device 8 that is wired to the power conditioner 1 and communicates with each other can be used as an external device. Further, when connecting to the water heater 22, it is preferable to connect a water heater remote controller to the water heater 22 separately from the monitor device 8.

1 Power conditioner 2 Power generation unit 3 System 5 Power input / output unit 7 Communication interface unit for monitor device (external device)
14 Control part 14a Setting means 15 Communication part 16 Power supply circuit 21 Switching means 22 Water heater (external device)

Claims (7)

In the power conditioner that converts the generated power output by the power generation unit into AC power linked to the power system,
A control unit; a power supply circuit for supplying power to the control unit; a power input / output unit to which an external device is connected; a state of supplying power from the power supply circuit to the external device via the power input / output unit; A power conditioner comprising: switching means that is controlled to be switched by the control unit in any of the states that are not supplied.   The power conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit connected to the power input / output unit, wherein the communication unit is supplied with power from the power supply circuit or the external device via the power input / output unit. The control unit is configured to operate and transmit / receive a communication signal to / from an external device through the power input / output unit in a power superposition method, and the control unit switches from a state in which power is not supplied to the external device to a state in which power is supplied. A power conditioner configured to perform switching control of the switching unit only when power is not supplied from an external device to the communication unit via the power input / output unit. In the power conditioner according to claim 2,
The communication unit is configured to output a determination signal indicating whether power is supplied to the communication unit to the control unit,
The control unit includes setting means for setting whether to supply power to an external device,
Further, the control unit indicates that the setting unit is set to supply power to an external device, and the determination signal is not supplied with power not supplied from the power supply circuit to the communication unit. The power conditioner is configured to execute switching control of the switching unit from a state in which power is not supplied from the power supply circuit to the external device to a state in which power is supplied only when the power supply circuit is present.   4. The power conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the switching control of the switching unit from a state in which power is not supplied from the power circuit to an external device to a state in which power is supplied is in a state in which power is not supplied from the power circuit to the communication unit. The power conditioner is executed only when the determination signal continuously indicates that power is not supplied for a predetermined time.   5. The power conditioner according to claim 3, wherein when the setting unit is set not to supply power to an external device, the determination signal continuously indicates that power is not supplied for a predetermined time. And the control unit is configured to perform predetermined error notification.   6. The power conditioner according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein when the setting unit is set to supply power to an external device, the determination signal is not supplied from the power circuit to the communication unit. A power conditioner, wherein the control unit is configured to notify a predetermined error when power is supplied.   The power conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit is configured to perform a normal control operation after performing a predetermined activation process at the time of activation, and the switching control of the switching unit is performed. The power conditioner is executed only during the startup process and is not executed during the normal control operation.

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