AC300 Home Integration Kit (AFCI & GFCI Discussion)

[wtytke]

Hello Everybody,
I am planning to have the 310A ProTran2 AC300 Home Integration Kit (120V & 240V) from Bluetti installed this Summer (by an electrician, of course). After reading through all the older issues in these forums, I needed to just crawl out of the rabbit hole and decided to open up a new discussion to help answer several questions and mainly concerns I have with the 310A, since “some” of the older information is outdated. I have included several links below (from Reliance Controls) that have detailed information on installation to help supplement my questions (if it helps @BLUETTI to answer any questions below).
Assumptions made:

• Hooking up to a Standard Main Panel from home built in 2004.
• Even though I will go with the 120V+240V version, I will ONLY hookup (use) 120V breakers
• I will have the connections properly balanced (1500Watts max per LEG A,C,E, & 1500 Watts for B,D,F).
• I will want to hook up a 240V Grid Out to the Split Phase AC Charging Cable.
• 2x AC300 (Both purchased July 2023) + 7x B300 -
  *(I have one (AC300) from July 2022, but it may pose issues based on what I read???)
• Having Sub-panel installed by an electrician - hope I can find one that can install it.
• I plan to have the sub panel switch on “GENERATOR” once I install the new Solar Panels, otherwise I will keep it on “LINE” until then.
• I Will Want to Hook up to AFCI & GFCI breakers.

Here are my concerns broken down in no particular order.

1. Can this version (310A) be tied into circuits with AFCI and/or GFCI circuits. IF SO, what adaptions to the 310A breakers and/or rewiring must be made (by the electrician) to keep the system stable. (From the links below) The Reliance 310C has some detailed documentation on AFCI and GFCI hookups, whereas, the 310A does not have AFCI GFCI documentation at the Reliance site. I am trying to find out the difference between the two but in both cases "To get AFCI or GFCI protection when running on generator power, install the appropriate breakers in the transfer switch."

2. Are there any problems with plugging to the 240V grid out (e.g. Dryer Out) for charging the AC300’s with the Split Phase AC Charging Cable. I never plan to use the 240V circuit in my house except for charging the AC300’s batteries, if needed.

3. What concerns should I have with damages to items in the home NOT on the transfer switch? E.g. In the forums, there was an instance of someone burning out their AC/Furnace, even though not hooked to the transfer switch. Could be an isolated incident, but the Neutral bonding issue is still a little confusing to me and might not be an issue (except with the AFCI/GFCI breaker wiring).

4. Other issues mention that the AC300’s tripped or even popped (smoked) but those were older AC300’s made before 2023 (which I do have one of the three) and read that it was bonding issue. Is this older model (with updated firmware) an issue when hooking up to the 310A? If it is an issue could this situation be remedied with a ground neutral plug or could I not use the older model with the 310A?

Note: I would like to hear from both success stories and any horror stories with the 310A Home Integration Kit with the AC300’s - I really want this setup to work, especially with the AFCI/GFCI Circuits. Any input is very much welcome.
Thank you,
William

Reliance 310A Info (pdf)

Reliance 310C Info (pdf)

[BLUETTI]

@wtytke

Can this version (310A) be tied into circuits with AFCI and/or GFCI circuits. IF SO, what adaptions to the 310A breakers and/or rewiring must be made (by the electrician) to keep the system stable. (From the links below) The Reliance 310C has some detailed documentation on AFCI and GFCI hookups, whereas, the 310A does not have AFCI GFCI documentation at the Reliance site. I am trying to find out the difference between the two but in both cases "To get AFCI or GFCI protection when running on generator power, install the appropriate breakers in the transfer switch."

It can’t be connected to the GFCI, it will trip.

@wtytke

Are there any problems with plugging to the 240V grid out (e.g. Dryer Out) for charging the AC300’s with the Split Phase AC Charging Cable.

You can plug it with no problems.

@wtytke

I never plan to use the 240V circuit in my house except for charging the AC300’s batteries, if needed.

When not using 240V, you can disconnect the communication cable. It’s perfectly fine to use the two AC300 units independently.

@wtytke

What concerns should I have with damages to items in the home NOT on the transfer switch?

If your home appliances are not connected to the transfer switch, they won’t be controlled by the AC300 (like the “Normal Load” in the diagram). They will shut off in a power outage.

I hope above helps.

[wtytke]

Unfortunately, that is ashame to hear. Many crucial circuits are tied to GFCI and AFCI connectors and I guess my only option for those items are to rewire new romex and create my own off grid subpanel. One item I would like to research is that The ProTran 310C (not the one from Bluetti) has directions (attached in original message) to possibly use AFCI/GFCI breakers within the the actual subpanel, if connected to the same type in the main panel AFCI to AFCI, GFCI to GFCI.
@BLUETTI do you have any information with being able to use the older AC300 with the Bluetti integration kit, in case I go with the route of not using AFCI/GFCI circuit breakers?
Thank you,
William

[BLUETTI]

After consulting with the technical team, they recommend bypassing the GFCI and connecting the AC300 directly to the distribution panel.