Before selecting a power converter, define both sides of the conversion, the required direction of power flow and the controller that will supervise it. Compare continuous, peak, active and apparent power on the same basis. An RS485 or CAN connector identifies an interface family; it does not establish battery or control-protocol compatibility.
RS485 / CAN Physical interfaces still need protocol, command and fault-behaviour documentation.
Manufacturer-stated limits for one listed converter. The catalogue uses kVA for the AC rating; do not substitute kW without defining the operating envelope.
Which conversion task are you solving?
| Task | Catalogue starting point | Information still needed |
|---|---|---|
| Battery/DC bus to AC system | PCS1-100K | Battery operating window, AC requirements, power envelope and supervisory controls |
| One DC operating window to another | Modular DC–DC family | Exact model, both voltage windows, direction of power flow and control mode |
| Residential PV/battery integration | Hybrid-inverter series | Selected power variant, battery compatibility, operating modes and market-specific documentation |
These entries are different equipment families, not interchangeable options for a single pre-defined system.
Read the entire voltage window
A nominal voltage is not a minimum or maximum operating limit. Record the battery’s operating range and the converter’s applicable input/output conditions, including the states the system must support.
The PCS1-100K entry lists 580–950 V DC. The DC–DC family lists a 300–850 V DC input range. Those figures describe different products and interfaces; an overlap between ranges is not proof of an approved connection or control configuration.
Why 100 kVA is not automatically 100 kW
The PCS family is described as 100 kW, while its published rated AC table uses 100 kVA. Keep both statements visible and ask for the active/reactive operating envelope.
For a simple illustration of the units:
Active power P = apparent power S × total power factor
Illustrative values: 100 kVA × 0.90 = 90 kWThis arithmetic is not a declaration that the converter operates at that power factor or supports that point continuously. The model-specific operating envelope remains a documentation question.
Ask for a protocol, not just a connector
| Interface question | Evidence to request |
|---|---|
| What data and commands are exchanged? | Applicable protocol/register or message description |
| Which hardware/firmware combinations are supported? | Model and revision-specific compatibility statement |
| What happens after a missing or rejected command? | Timeout, fault and recovery behaviour |
| Who controls operating mode and limits? | Supervisory architecture and responsibility |
The Modbus application specification describes a protocol layer. A product’s RS485 listing alone does not say which application protocol or proprietary map is implemented. Similarly, this guide does not infer CAN messages from the connector label.
Complete the shortlist with installation conditions
Record enclosure, cooling, service access and environmental requirements. The listed DC–DC family uses forced air; the PCS entry lists IP20. Review those facts within the proposed installation rather than treating the catalogue entry as a ready-to-install storage cabinet.
Use commercial storage conversion or residential inverter integration to prepare a configuration discussion. Agree on the sample configuration and acceptance questions before commercial selection.
Sources & method
This guide organizes the published converter examples and an illustrative unit calculation. It does not specify a validated battery system, a grid approval or a manufacturer operating curve.