VDE-AR-N 4105:2011-08

Power generation systems connected

to the low-voltage distribution network
Technical minimum requirements for the
connection to and parallel operation with
English translation of the
VDE application rule VDE-AR-N 4105 low-voltage distribution networks
Note: In case of doubt the
German version will be valid.
 English translation

VDE-AR-N 4105:2011-08
Power generation systems connected to the low-voltage distribution
network — Technical minimum requirements for the connection to and
parallel operation with low-voltage distribution networks

Contents
Page
Foreword.............................................................................................................................................................6
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................6
1 Scope .....................................................................................................................................................6
2 Normative references.............................................................................................................................7
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations .....................................................................................................8
3.1 Terms and definitions.............................................................................................................................8
3.2 Abbreviations........................................................................................................................................14
4 General framework conditions .............................................................................................................15
4.1 Provisions and regulations ...................................................................................................................15
4.2 Application procedure and connection relevant documents ................................................................15
4.3 Initial start-up of the power generation system ....................................................................................15
5 Network connection..............................................................................................................................16
5.1 Principles for determination of the network connection point ..............................................................16
5.2 Rating of the network equipment .........................................................................................................17
5.3 Permissible voltage change .................................................................................................................17
5.4 System reactions..................................................................................................................................18
5.4.1 General..............................................................................................................................................18
5.4.2 Rapid voltage changes......................................................................................................................18
5.4.3 Flicker................................................................................................................................................18
5.4.4 Harmonics and inter-harmonics ........................................................................................................19
5.4.5 Voltage unbalance ............................................................................................................................20
5.46 Commutation notches .......................................................................................................................20
5.4.7 Audio-frequency centralised ripple-control........................................................................................20
5.4.8 Carrier frequent usage of the customer network...............................................................................21
5.4.9 Precautionary measures against voltage drops and voltage interruptions .......................................21
5.5 Connection criteria ...............................................................................................................................21
5.6 Three-phase network ...........................................................................................................................22
5.6.1 General..............................................................................................................................................22
5.6.2 Three-phase synchronous generators ..............................................................................................22
5.6.3 Three-phase inverter systems...........................................................................................................23
5.7 Behaviour of the power generation system at the network..................................................................23
VDE-AR-N 4105:2011 (E)

Page
5.7.1 General............................................................................................................................................. 23
5.7.2 Maximum permissible short-circuit current....................................................................................... 24
5.7.3 Active power output.......................................................................................................................... 24
5.7.3.1 Basics .......................................................................................................................................... 24
5.7.3.2 Generation management/network security management ........................................................... 24
5.7.3.3 Active power feed-in at overfrequency........................................................................................ 25
5.7.3.4 Active power feed-in at underfrequency...................................................................................... 26
5.7.4 Principles for network support .......................................................................................................... 26
5.7.5 Reactive power................................................................................................................................. 26
6 Construction of the power generation system/network and system protection (NS protection) ......... 29
6.1 General requirements.......................................................................................................................... 29
6.2 Central NS protection .......................................................................................................................... 29
6.3 Integrated NS protection...................................................................................................................... 30
6.4 Interface switch.................................................................................................................................... 30
6.4.1 General............................................................................................................................................. 30
6.4.2 Central interface switch .................................................................................................................... 30
6.4.3 Integrated interface switch ............................................................................................................... 31
6.5 Protective devices for the interface switch .......................................................................................... 31
6.5.1 General............................................................................................................................................. 31
6.5.2 Protective functions .......................................................................................................................... 32
6.5.3 Islanding detection ........................................................................................................................... 33
7 Metering for billing purposes ............................................................................................................... 34
8 Operation of the system ...................................................................................................................... 35
8.1 General ................................................................................................................................................ 35
8.2 Particular characteristics of the management of the network operator’s network............................... 36
8.3 Connection conditions and synchronisation ........................................................................................ 37
8.3.1 General............................................................................................................................................. 37
8.3.2 Connection of synchronous generators ........................................................................................... 38
8.3.3 Connection of asynchronous generators ......................................................................................... 38
8.3.4 Connection of power generation units with inverters ....................................................................... 38
8.4 Reactive power compensation ............................................................................................................ 38
9 Verification of the electrical properties ................................................................................................ 38
9.1 General ................................................................................................................................................ 38
9.2 Verification of the feed-in power.......................................................................................................... 39
9.2.1 Verification of the feed-in active power ............................................................................................ 39
9.2.2 Verification of the reactive power values.......................................................................................... 39
9.2.3 Verification of the reactive power transition function........................................................................ 39
9.3 Verification of the network reactions ................................................................................................... 39
9.4 Verification of the features of the network and system protection ...................................................... 39

2
 VDE-AR-N 4105:2011 (E)

Page
Annex A (informative) Explanations ................................................................................................................40
A.1 “Power generation system” (3.1.8) and “power generation unit” (3.1.9) ..............................................40
A.2 Permissible voltage change (5.3).........................................................................................................40
A.3 System reactions (5.4) .........................................................................................................................41
A.3.1 Rapid voltage changes.........................................................................................................................41
A.3.2 Flicker...................................................................................................................................................42
A.3.3 Harmonics and inter-harmonics ...........................................................................................................42
A.3.3.1 General..............................................................................................................................................42
A.3.3.2 Line-commutated inverters (six- or 12-pulse) ...................................................................................43
A.3.3.3 Pulse-modulated inverters ................................................................................................................43
A.4 Connection criteria (5.5).......................................................................................................................43
A.5 Reactive power (5.7.5) .........................................................................................................................44
A.6 General requirements, single-fault tolerance (6.1)...............................................................................46
A.7 Interface switch (6.4)............................................................................................................................47
A.8 Protective devices for the interface switch (6.5) ..................................................................................47
A.8.1 General.................................................................................................................................................47
A.8.2 Protective functions ..............................................................................................................................47
Annex B (informative) Connection examples ..................................................................................................48
B.1 Maximum apparent connection power SAmax ≤ 4,6 kVA ......................................................................48

B.2 Maximum apparent connection power SAmax ≤ 13,8 kVA ....................................................................49

B.3 Power generation system with communicative coupling of the single-phase inverters and
with integrated NS protection ...............................................................................................................50
B.4 Maximum apparent connection power of SAmax > 30 kVA ...................................................................51

B.5 New power generation unit connected in parallel to an existing system SAmax > 30 kVA ...................52

B.6 Connection with meter column.............................................................................................................53

B.7 Connection for excess feed-in (self consumption in accordance with EEG, § 33 EEG and
KWK-G, § 4 (3)) ....................................................................................................................................54
B.8 Connection for excess feed-in of > 30 kVA ..........................................................................................55
Annex C (informative) Examples of meter panel configurations .....................................................................56
C.1 Meter panel for connection of a power generation system with a maximum apparent
connection power SAmax ≤ 30 kVA (full feed-in) ...................................................................................56
C.2 Meter panel for the connection of a power generation system with a maximum apparent
connection power SAmax > 30 kVA and with central NS protection......................................................57

C.3 Meter panel for the connection of a power generation system that includes transformer
measurement .......................................................................................................................................58
C.4 Meter panel (that may also be arranged in a decentralised manner) for the connection of a
power generation system for self consumption or excess feed-in in accordance with EEG,
§ 33 and KWK-G, § 4............................................................................................................................59
C.4.1 General.................................................................................................................................................59
C.4.2 Schematic representation ....................................................................................................................60
C.4.3 Organisation of a central meter panel ..................................................................................................60

3
VDE-AR-N 4105:2011 (E)

Page
Annex D (normative) Islanding detection........................................................................................................ 62
D.1 Islanding detection by means of the oscillating circuit test.................................................................. 62
D.2 Islanding detection by three-phase voltage monitoring....................................................................... 63
Annex E (informative) Examples for the connection evaluation of power generation systems...................... 64
E.1 Connection of a 20 kW photovoltaic system ....................................................................................... 64
E.2 Reactive power control of a heat led CHP .......................................................................................... 69
Annex F (normative) Forms (mandatory) ....................................................................................................... 71
F.1 initial start-up protocol for power generation systems......................................................................... 71
F.2 Data sheet for power generation systems........................................................................................... 72
F.3 Requirements for the test report for power generation units............................................................... 73
F.4 Requirements for the test report for the NS protection ....................................................................... 74
Annex G (informative) Forms (optional).......................................................................................................... 75
G.1 Application ........................................................................................................................................... 75
G.2 Certificate of conformity for power generation units............................................................................ 76
G.3 Certificate of conformity of the network and system protection........................................................... 77
Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................................... 78

Figure 1 — Synchronous generated voltage of a synchronous generator as an ideal balanced three-

phase system ...................................................................................................................................... 23
Figure 2 — Equivalent circuit diagram of a synchronous generator for the case of a short circuit ................. 23
Figure 3 — Active power reduction at overfrequency...................................................................................... 25
Figure 4 — Limit power range for the reactive power of a power generation system within the range
of 3,68 kVA < ∑
SEmax ≤ 13,8 kVA (load-reference arrow system) ................................................... 27

Figure 5 — Limit power range for the reactive power of a power generation system within the range
of ∑
SEmax > 13,8 kVA (load-reference arrow system)...................................................................... 27

Figure 6 — Standard characteristic curve for cos ϕ (P) ................................................................................... 28

Figure A.1 — Overview on the concepts of power generation unit and power generation system................. 40
Figure A.2 — Potential for optimisation provided by a suitable reactive power feed-in for typical
overhead line or cable types (related to an operation mode where cos ϕ = 1) .................................... 44
Figure A.3 — Examples of a characteristic curve cos ϕ (P) with three nodes ................................................. 45
Figure B.1 — Connection of a single-phase power generation unit with full feed-in and a maximum
apparent connection power ≤ 4,6 kVA................................................................................................. 48
Figure B.2 — Connection of 3 single-phase power generation units with full feed-in and a maximum
apparent connection power ≤ 4,6 kVA per line conductor ................................................................... 49
Figure B.3 — Connection of 3 single-phase power generation units in full feed-in and with
communicative coupling ...................................................................................................................... 50
Figure B.4 — Connection of 3 three-phase power generation units with full feed-in ...................................... 51
Figure B.5 — Connection of a new power generation unit connected in parallel to an existing
system with full feed-in for a maximum apparent connection power SAmax > 30 kVA......................... 52

4
 VDE-AR-N 4105:2011 (E)

Figure B.6 — Connection of a power generation system with meter column for a maximum apparent
connection power SAmax > 30 kVA .......................................................................................................53

Figure B.7 — Connection of a power generation system with excess feed-in (taking into account self
consumption in accordance with EEG, § 33 and KWK-G, § 4 (3)) .......................................................54
Figure B.8 — Connection of a power generation system with excess feed-in for a maximum
connection power SAmax > 30 kVA .....................................................................................................55

Figure C.1 — TAB meter panel: general system and power generation system ≤ 30 kVA..............................56
Figure C.2 — TAB meter cabinet: general system and power generation system > 30 kVA...........................57
Figure C.3 — Meter panel for the connection of a power generation system that includes
transformer measurement....................................................................................................................58
Figure C.4 — Meter panel (that may also be arranged in a decentralised manner) for the connection
of a power generation system for self consumption or excess feed-in ................................................59
Figure C.5 — Measuring principle for the implementation of EEG 2009, § 33 (2) or
KWK-G 2009, § 4 (3a) ..........................................................................................................................60
Figure C.6 — Connection variant for a central conventional meter panel with three-point fastening ..............60
Figure C.7 — Connection variant for a central eHZ meter panel with BKE-I ...................................................61
Figure D.1 — Example with integrated NS protection in the inverter...............................................................62
Figure E.1 — Power generation unit (sketch of the set-up and connections)..................................................64
Figure E.2 — Network (sketch) ........................................................................................................................64
Figure E.3 — Reactive power control of a heat led CHP .................................................................................69
Figure E.4 — Characteristic curve cos ϕ (P) of the CHP ..................................................................................69
Figure E.6 — Resultant characteristic curve Q(P)............................................................................................69
Figure E.6 — Characteristic curve cos ϕ (P) of the CHP ..................................................................................70
Figure E.7 — Resultant characteristic curve Q(P)............................................................................................70
Figure E.8 — Voltage deviation at the connection point ..................................................................................70
Figure E.9 — Loss parameter current square ..................................................................................................70

Table 1 — Permissible harmonic currents related to the network short-circuit power SkV that may be
supplied in a network connection point ................................................................................................19
Table 2 — Setting values for the NS protection ...............................................................................................33
Table A.1 — Implementation of the connection criteria after 5.5 .....................................................................44
Table E.1 — Voltage change at the individual PCCs.......................................................................................66
Table E.2 — Voltage change at the individual PCCs (with the characteristic cos ϕ (P)) ..................................67

5
VDE-AR-N 4105:2011 (E)

Foreword
This VDE application guide has been prepared under the responsibility of the Forum Network Techno-
logy/Network Operation within VDE (FNN). It has been prepared by the project group „Erzeugungsanlagen
am Niederspannungsnetz“ (Power generation systems connected to the low-voltage distribution network)
founded by the FNN steering committee “Low and medium voltage.”

This VDE application guide was subject to public opposition proceedings.

Introduction
The VDE application guide summarizes the essential aspects which have to be taken into consideration for
the connection of power generation systems (translator’s note: the German term “Anlage” includes systems
as well as installations and plants) to the network operator’s low-voltage network. It serves as a basis for both
the network operator and the installer in the planning and decision-making process. In addition, the operator
is given important information regarding the operation of such systems.

This VDE application guide replaces the 4th edition of the VDEW guideline on “Generating Plants Connected
to the Low-Voltage Network” („Eigenerzeugungsanlagen am Niederspannungsnetz“) [1] which has been fully
redesigned and restructured to be more logical.

Similar to the higher voltage levels, power generation systems supplying low-voltage networks will have to
make a contribution to the static voltage stability in the future. Therefore, they have to contribute to the
voltage stability in the low-voltage network during normal network operation. This has immediate effect on the
systems’ design. This VDE application guide summarizes the essential aspects that have to be taken into
consideration for the connection to the low-voltage network so as to maintain the safety and reliability of
network operation in accordance with the provisions of the Energy Industry Act in the light of a growing share
of decentralised power generation systems and to enable the limit values of voltage quality specified in
DIN EN 50160 to be observed.

Additional information is given for individual aspects to explain certain provisions of the VDE application
guide. In order to reduce this VDE application guide to the most important elements, this explanatory
information is summarized in Annex A in correspondence to the respective clauses.

The calculation examples listed in Annex E allow for the permissibility of the connection of a power genera-
tion system to the low-voltage network to be checked based on the given data. If, in that context, connection
to the low-voltage network is shown to be impossible, then connection to the higher voltage level, i.e. the
medium-voltage network, may generally be considered. The connection evaluation required for this shall be
carried out in accordance with the BDEW guideline “Generating Plants Connected to the Medium-Voltage
Network” („Erzeugungsanlagen am Mittelspannungsnetz“) [2].

The Annexes F and G contain forms for the compilation of the required data of a power generation system
from planning the network connection to the initial start-up of the power generation system.

This VDE application guide is an integral part of the VDN guideline „Technische Anschlussbedingungen für
den Anschluss an das Niederspannungsnetz“ (Technical connection conditions for connections to the low-
voltage network; TAB 2007) [3].

1 Scope
This VDE application guide applies to the planning, erection, operation and modification of power generation
systems that are connected to a network operator’s low-voltage network and operated in parallel with this
network (network connection point in the low-voltage network). In this context, in particular those modifica-
tions to power generation systems have to be taken into account, which have significant influence on the
electrical behaviour at the network connection.