- Solar and energy
- Solar inverter
3x6E
SolarEdge 3x6E on solar inverter: meter communication error
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
Code 3x6E (error 185 on firmware 3.18xx and below, Meter Comm. Error) means the SolarEdge inverter has lost communication with the energy meter. Do not open the inverter or electrical panel: record the code and ask your installer to inspect the RS485 link and meter CTs.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Never remove the inverter cover to inspect the communication board or touch current transformers (CTs) inside the distribution panel: these checks are strictly for a qualified installer.
Safe checks you can perform
- Verify the exact code in the monitoring platform or on the LCD
- Check the LEDs on the inverter bottom panel
- Note any recent electrical panel or meter work
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Inspection of meter CT wiring and communication board connections
- Do not attempt this professional task: RS485 slave detection and Slave List check
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Inspection of meter CT wiring and communication board connections
What they doThe installer checks the wiring of the meter CTs and inspects the connections to the inverter communication board as directed by the SolarEdge meter troubleshooting guide.
They must show youthe condition of the RS485 connector on the communication board and the meter CT terminations.
In writingwhich meter terminals, CT wires or communication board connections were checked or remade.
RS485 slave detection and Slave List check
What they doUnder RS485-X Conf (Slave Detect / Follower Detect), the technician checks the number of detected devices, runs Long slave Detect to retry connection and checks the Slave List for missing devices.
They must show youthe detected slave count on the screen or SetApp and the meter entry in the Slave List.
In writingthe RS485 detection result and confirmation that code 3x6E cleared.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Verify the exact code in the monitoring platform or on the LCD
- Who:
- you, checking the inverter screen or monitoring portal without removing any covers.
- How:
- in the monitoring platform open the site dashboard, click the Layout icon, right-click the inverter, select Info and click the Errors tab to confirm 3x6E (185, Meter Comm. Error) or 3x6D (178, Internal RGM Error).
- Result that matters:
- confirming that the alert is a meter communication fault rather than a grid or isolation trip.
- If 3x6E or 3x6D is shown:
- write down the date and time so you can give them to your installer.
- If a different error code is listed:
- look up that specific code before booking service.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot of the Errors tab or a photo of the display showing Meter Comm. Error.
Evidence: Appendix A: Errors and Troubleshooting (Single Phase Inverter with HD-Wave Technology Installation Guide, MAN-01-250-1.2) · Installation Guide: Three Phase Inverters with Synergy Technology (PN: SEXXK-XXXXIXXXX, Version 1.2)
Check the LEDs on the inverter bottom panel
- Who:
- you, looking at the outside of the inverter without touching any wiring.
- How:
- following the SolarEdge installation guide, move the ON/OFF/P switch to the P position for 2 seconds and release it, then observe the red, green and blue LED states.
- Result that matters:
- seeing whether the inverter indicates another active fault type alongside the meter issue.
- If the blue LED blinks while red and green are off (Other issue):
- this matches an issue outside arc, isolation, grid or high temperature.
- If the red LED is steady on or blinking:
- report this immediately to the installer, as it indicates an arc or isolation/RCD fault.
- Evidence to keep:
- a short video or note of the three LED states after releasing the switch from P.
Evidence: Installation Guide: Three Phase Inverters with Synergy Technology (PN: SEXXK-XXXXIXXXX, Version 1.2)
Note any recent electrical panel or meter work
- Who:
- you, reviewing recent work done at the property.
- How:
- check whether an electrician worked inside the distribution panel where the RS485 meter or its CTs are installed right before 3x6E appeared.
- Result that matters:
- giving the technician context on whether an RS485 or CT wire may have been disturbed.
- If panel work took place recently:
- let the installer know when scheduling the visit.
- If nothing was touched in the panel:
- mention this so the technician goes straight to inspecting the communication board and RS485 bus.
- Evidence to keep:
- dates of any electrical work and the timestamp of the first 3x6E alert.
Evidence: Appendix A: Errors and Troubleshooting (Single Phase Inverter with HD-Wave Technology Installation Guide, MAN-01-250-1.2)
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Solar and energy
- Brand
- SolarEdge
- Product type
- Solar inverter
Known code variants
- error comunicación medidor SolarEdge
- Internal RGM Error SolarEdge
- Meter Comm. Error SolarEdge
- SolarEdge 3x6D
- SolarEdge 3x6E
- SolarEdge error 178
- SolarEdge error 185
- SolarEdge error 3x6E
- SolarEdge Internal RGM Error
- SolarEdge Meter Comm. Error
- SolarEdge meter communication error
What it means
In Appendix A of the SolarEdge installation guide (MAN-01-250-1.2, pages 55 and 56), code 3x6E (error 185 on CPU v3.18xx and below) is listed as 'Meter Comm. Error', alongside 3x6D (error 178, 'Internal RGM Error' for an internal revenue grade meter). SolarEdge instructs checking the wiring of the meter current transformers (CTs) and the connections to the inverter communication board, as well as checking slave detection on the RS485 bus. The code by itself never proves that the meter or the inverter board is defective.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Highsource verified
Never remove the inverter cover to inspect the communication board or touch current transformers (CTs) inside the distribution panel: these checks are strictly for a qualified installer.
Evidence: Appendix A: Errors and Troubleshooting (Single Phase Inverter with HD-Wave Technology Installation Guide, MAN-01-250-1.2) · Installation Guide: Three Phase Inverters with Synergy Technology (PN: SEXXK-XXXXIXXXX, Version 1.2)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Loose or faulty connection to the inverter communication boardCommon
The SolarEdge error table points directly to the connections between the meter and the internal communication board of the inverter on the RS485 line.
Evidence: Appendix A: Errors and Troubleshooting (Single Phase Inverter with HD-Wave Technology Installation Guide, MAN-01-250-1.2) · Installation Guide: Three Phase Inverters with Synergy Technology (PN: SEXXK-XXXXIXXXX, Version 1.2)
- Wiring issue on the meter current transformers (CTs)Possible
For codes 3x6D (178) and 3x6E (185), the manual specifies checking the wiring of the meter CTs.
Evidence: Appendix A: Errors and Troubleshooting (Single Phase Inverter with HD-Wave Technology Installation Guide, MAN-01-250-1.2)
- Missing slave or follower device on the RS485 busPossible
The RS485 troubleshooting section notes that the master or leader device may detect fewer slaves or followers than the actual number connected on the bus.
Evidence: Appendix A: Errors and Troubleshooting (Single Phase Inverter with HD-Wave Technology Installation Guide, MAN-01-250-1.2) · Installation Guide: Three Phase Inverters with Synergy Technology (PN: SEXXK-XXXXIXXXX, Version 1.2)
Virtual technician
Does 3x6E still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
SolarEdge Technologies · manual
- 2
Installation Guide: Three Phase Inverters with Synergy Technology (PN: SEXXK-XXXXIXXXX, Version 1.2)
SolarEdge Technologies · 2021 · manual
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