Panasonic VBH340RA18N, VBH335RA18N, VBH325RA18N, VBH330RA18N installation

“HIT” is a trademark of the Panasonic Group.

Other product and service names listed in this

manual are trademarks or registered trademarks

of respective companies.

General Installation Manual

VBHxxxRAxxN series

Photovoltaic Module HIT®

Thank you for choosing Panasonic photovoltaic module HIT®.

Please read this manual completely before you install or use of

HIT®. With proper operation and maintenance, HIT® will pro-

vide you with clean, renewable solar electricity for many years.

This manual contains important installation, maintenance and

safety information. The word “module” as used in this manual

refers to one or more PV modules. Retain this manual for

future reference.

Model No. ･VBHxxxRA18N xxx=340, 335, 330, 325

VBHxxxRAxxN series

CONTENTS

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

･WARNING ･CAUTIONS

MODULE SPECIFICATIONS

･MECHANICAL LOADING

･STANDARDS

･FIRE CLASS OF PRODUCT

･JUNCTION BOX AND TERMINALS

･BYPASS DIODE

･CLASS OF PROTECTION

AGAINST ELECTRICAL SHOCK

INSTALLATION

･GENERAL

･OPERATING CONDITIONS

･UNPACKING AND HANDLING

･MODULE INSTALLATION

WIRING

･GENERAL

･MODULE WIRING

･ARRAY WIRING

･EARTH GROUND WIRING

･GROUNDING METHODS

MAINTENANCE

･ANTI-REFLECTION GLASS SURFACE CLEANING

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

CONTACT INFORMATION

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

 All instructions should be read and

understood before attempting to

install, wire, operate, and maintain

the module.

 The installation of modules requires

a great degree of skill and should

only be performed by qualified li-

censed professionals, including,

without limitation, licensed contrac-

tors and licensed electricians.

 The installer assumes the risk of all

injury that might occur during instal-

lation, including, without limitation,

the risk of electric shock.

 Before installing modules, contact

the appropriate authorities to deter-

mine permissions, installation and

inspection requirements, which

should be followed.

 Be sure that the construction or

structure (roof, etc.) where the

modules are being installed has

enough strength.

 Both roof construction and module

installation design have an effect on

the fire resistance of a building.

Improper installation may contrib-

ute to fire hazards. Additional de-

vices such as ground fault, fuses,

and disconnects may be required.

 For a non-integral module or panel,

the assembly is to be mounted over

a fire resistant roof covering rated

for the application.

 For modules mounted on roofs,

special construction or structures

may be required to help provide

proper installation support.

 Do not install the module where

flammable gases or vapors are pre-

sent.

 Do not use modules of different

specifications in the same system.

 Follow all safety precautions of

other system components used.

 In some areas, local electrical codes

may govern the installation and use

of modules.

WARNING

To avoid the hazard of electric shock,

sparks, fire and injury

 The modules generate DC electrical

energy when exposed to sunlight or

other light sources, so cover the

entire front surface of the modules

with a dense, opaque material such

as a cardboard box, during installa-

tion and handling of the modules.

 The shock hazard increases as mod-

ules are connected in parallel, pro-

ducing higher current, and as mod-

ules are connected in series, produc-

ing higher voltages.

 The shock hazard increases as mod-

ules with nominal open-circuit volt-

age (Voc) in excess of 50 V, and/or

modules rated for maximum system

voltage in excess of 50 V.

 Wear suitable clothing, gloves and

guards to prevent from direct con-

tact with 30 VDC or greater.

 Work only in dry conditions, with

dry modules and dry tools.

 Children and unauthorized persons

should not be allowed near the

installation of modules.

 Do not puncture or damage the

backsheet of a module. Do not use

the PV module and make a replace-

ment, when scratch exposing con-

ductive part is found on the back-

sheet.

 Do not disassemble the module, or

remove any parts installed by the

manufacturer.

 Do not open a junction box's lid.

 Do not touch the junction box termi-

nals.

 Do not change the wiring of bypass

diodes.

 Do not connect or disconnect termi-

nals while modules generate elec-

tricity and connect electrical load.

 Never leave a module unsupported

or unsecured.

CAUTIONS

To avoid the hazard of injury, burn and

damage to the module

 Use a module for its intended pur-

pose only.

 Be sure that all other system compo-

nents are compatible, and they do

not subject the module to mechani-

cal or electrical hazards.

 Do not artificially concentrate sun-

light on a module.

 Do not stand or step on a module.

 When carrying a module, two or

more people should carry it by its

frame and wear non-slip gloves.

 Do not carry a module by its wires or

junction box.

 Do not drop a module.

 Do not drop anything on the surface

of a module.

 Do not hit the back side of a module

by the connector or other ob-

ject. Back side is easily damaged.

 Do not stack anything on back side

of module.

 Do not disassemble a module, at-

tempt any repair, open the junction

box cover, nor remove any parts

installed by Panasonic. There are no

user serviceable parts within the

module or junction box.

 Do not treat the back sheet or front

surface with paint or adhesives.

 Do not use or install broken mod-

ules. If you find a breakdown such

as glass breakage, contact the pro-

fessional installer to replace it

promptly.

 Do not touch a module unnecessari-

ly. The glass surface and frames get

hot.

MODULE SPECIFICATIONS

 Module specifications are shown in

Table 1 and Figure 1. (Electrical

specifications, mechanical specifica-

tions, module dimensions)

1) Rated electrical characteristics are

within the range of –0% to +10%

(Pmax) and –5% to +10% (Isc, Voc)

of the values measured at Standard

Test Conditions (STC). STC condi-

tions are; Irradiance of 1000W/m2,

25°C cell temperature, AM1.5 and

solar spectral irradiance per IEC

60904-3.

2) Under real conditions, a photovolta-

ic module may experience condi-

tions that produce more current

and/or voltage than reported at

Standard Test Conditions. There-

fore, the Isc value of modules

should be multiplied by a factor of

1.25 to determine ampacity. An

additional factor of 1.25 may be

required for sizing conductors, fus-

es, disconnects, etc. Please refer to

section 690.8 of the National Electric

Code (NEC) for guidelines. The Voc

must be factored according to the

lowest recorded ambient tempera-

ture recorded for the location

where the modules will be installed.

Please refer to section 690.7 of the

NEC for more information regarding

voltage temperature factors.

MECHANICAL LOADING

 The modules should be mounted at

the four (4) quarter points by the

means shown in Figure 1.

 This method offers a maximum load

shown as “Mount Location and

Load Resistance” in Figure 1 in a

static state on the module surface.

 Note: This mechanical loading value

was tested using the mounting de-

vice specified in section “MODULE

INSTALLATION”

 As UL Certified Load Ratings, this

module meets design loads as be-

low.

1) Positive load with Long frame

mounting

・ 33 psf (0-450mm range from edge

･ 75 psf (230-380mm range from edge)

2) Negative load with Long frame

mounting

･ 33 psf (0-450mm range from edge

･ 61 psf(230-380mm range from edge)

･ 75 psf (230-345mm range from edge)

3) Positive load with Short frame

mounting

･ 33 psf (0-250mm range from edge)

4) Negative load with Short frame

mounting

･ 33 psf (0-250mm range from edge)

Front

Figure 1. Module Dimension

Backside

Side

Dimension in mm

Mount Locations and Load Resistance

L1 0 230 230 -

L2 450 380 345 -

S1 - - - 0

S2 - - - 250

50 psf

(2400 Pa)

112 psf

(5400 Pa)

112 psf

(5400 Pa)

50 psf

(2400 Pa)

50 psf

(2400 Pa)

91 psf

(4400 Pa)

112 psf

(5400 Pa)

50 psf

(2400 Pa)

Load Resistance (Positive Load)

Load Resistance (Negative Load)

Mounting location range

Note) Load Resistance shown above is UL Test-Load. Design load is a value obtained by multiplying the above value by two thirds.

Note) A module is installed using 4 points, symmetrical mounting within setting range (shaded).

Setting range parameters are shown in “Mount Locations and Load Resistance” table.

Table 1. Model Specifications

Electrical Specifications

VBH340RA18N VBH335RA18N VBH330RA18N VBH325RA18N

Model

Cell Number in Series

pcs 96 96 96 96

Rated Power, Watts (Pmax) +10%/-0%

W 340 335 330 325

Maximum Power Voltage (Vpm)

V 60.3 59.7 59.0 58.3

Maximum Power Current (Ipm)

A 5.64 5.62 5.60 5.58

Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) +10%/-5%

V 71.2 70.9 70.6 70.3

Short Circuit Current (Isc) +10%/-5%

A 6.02 6.01 6.01 6.00

Cell Type

Silicon hetero-

junction*

Silicon hetero-

junction*

Silicon hetero-

junction*

Silicon hetero-

junction*

Maximum System Voltage

V 1000 1000 1000 1000

Factory Installed Bypass Diodes

pcs 4 4 4 4

Maximum series fuse

A 15 15 15 15

Temperature coefficient (Pmax)

%/°C -0.258

Temperature coefficient (Voc)

%/°C -0.235

Temperature coefficient (Isc)

%/°C 0.055

Silicon hetero-junction*: Monocrystalline silicon/amorphous silicon hetero-junction Deviation of measurement in factory : Pmax +/- 3%

Mechanical Specifications

Length, mm (inches) 1590 (62.60)

Width, mm (inches) 1053 (41.46)

Frame Depth, mm (inches) 40 (1.57)

Weight, kg (pounds) 18.5 (40.81)

Figure 2. Junction Box

Positive ( + ) Negative ( - )

STANDARDS

VBHxxxRAxxN series comply with the

requirements of UL61730.

FIRE CLASS OF PRODUCT

 The fire rating of this module is valid

only when mounted in the manner

specified in the mechanical mounting instructions.

 The models in this instructions are

suitable to maintain the System Fire

Class Rating A when used with a

Listed mounting system and a roof

covering that have been rated as a

Class A System when installed on a

steep slope roof and/or a low slope roof with "Type 2" modules.

JUNCTION BOX AND TERMINALS

 Modules equipped with one junc-

tion box contain terminals for both

positive and negative polarity, and

bypass diodes.

 Each terminal is dedicated to one

polarity (with the polarity symbols

engraved onto the body of the junc-

tion box) (see Figure 2).

 Each terminal is provided with facto-

ry installed lead cables and a latch-

ing connector for series and string

connections. Always use these con-

nectors and do not detach them

from cables.

 The PV module comes pre-wired.

Each module has two #12 AWG type

PV-wire stranded sunlight resistant

output cables each terminated with

connectors. The positive (+) terminal

has a male connector while the neg-

ative (-) terminal has a female con-

nector. The module wiring is solely

for series connections only, i.e. male

(+) to female (-) interconnections.

When making field wiring connec-

tions to the preattached connectors

use only approved connectors from

Table.2.

 Latching connectors are type IV and

made by STAUBLI ELECTRICAL CON-

NECTORS AG. Supplied connectors

listed by UL.

 In order to comply with NEC 2008, a

locking sleeve needs to be used with

all connectors that are exposed.

 The locking sleeve (PV-SSH4) is

made by STAUBLI and can only be

released with a special tool also

made by STAUBLI (PV-MS). Locking

sleeves are not supplied with mod-

ules and must be purchased sepa-

rately.

BYPASS DIODE

 When the modules in series strings

are shaded partially, it may cause

reverse voltage across cells or mod-

ules, because the current from other

cells in the same series is forced to

flow through the shaded area. This

may cause undesirable heating to

occur.

 The use of a diode to bypass the

shaded area can minimize both

heating and array current reduction.

 All modules are equipped with fac-

tory installed bypass diodes. The

factory installed diodes provide

proper circuit protection for the

systems within the specified system

voltage, so that you do not need

any other additional bypass diodes.

 Specifications of bypass diode for

VBHxxxRAxxN modules are as fol-

lows; Type: Number of bypass di-

ode: 4 diodes, Number of series cells

per bypass diode: 24 cells / diode

(See Figure 3).

24 cells /

Figure 3. Number of series cells per bypass diode

Figure 2. Connectors

Connector

Cable

Negative ( - ) Positive ( + )

Manufacturer STAUBLI ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AG

Contact Information http://ec.staubli.com

Model #

PV-KST4, PV-KBT4 followed by /2.5 or /6, followed by "I" or "II", followed by

-UR. or - may be followed by additional suffixes, may be followed by suffix numbers and letters.

PV-PLS-S, PV-PLS-B, may be followed by suffix numbers and letters, may be followed by suffix numbers and letters.

Male PV connectors,

PV-KST4-EVO2/2.5, 6 or 10, followed by I, II, III or IV, followed by -UR.

Female PV connectors,

PV-KBT4-EVO2/2.5, 6 or 10, followed by I, II, III or IV, followed by –UR

Table.2 Approved connectors list

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