or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photographic, magnetic or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of SMA America,LLC.
Neither SMA America,LLC nor SMA Solar Technology Canada Inc. makes representations, express
or implied, with respect to this documentation or any of the equipment and/or software it may
describe, including (with no limitation) any implied warranties of utility, merchantability, or fitness for
any particular purpose. All such warranties are expressly disclaimed. Neither SMA America,LLC nor
its distributors or dealers nor SMA Solar Technology Canada Inc. nor its distributors or dealers shall
be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages under any circumstances.
(The exclusion of implied warranties may not apply in all cases under some statutes, and thus the
above exclusion may not apply.)
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Every attempt has been made to make this
document complete, accurate and up-to-date. Readers are cautioned, however, that
SMAAmerica,LLC and SMA Solar Technology Canada Inc. reserve the right to make changes
without notice and shall not be responsible for any damages, including indirect, incidental or
consequential damages, caused by reliance on the material presented, including, but not limited to,
omissions, typographical errors, arithmetical errors or listing errors in the content material.
All trademarks are recognized even if these are not marked separately. Missing designations do not
mean that a product or brand is not a registered trademark.
SMA America, LLC
3801 N. Havana Street
Denver, CO 80239 U.S.A.
SMA Solar Technology Canada Inc.
2425 Matheson Blvd. E
7th Floor
Mississauga, ON L4W 5K4
Canada
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-143
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONSSMA America, LLC
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
This manual contains important instructions for the following products:
• Sunny Boy 3000TL-US (SB 3000TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 3800TL-US (SB 3800TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 4000TL-US (SB 4000TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 5000TL-US (SB 5000TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 6000TL-US (SB 6000TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 7000TL-US (SB 7000TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 7700TL-US (SB 7700TL-US-22)
This manual must be followed during installation and maintenance.
The product is designed and tested according to international safety requirements, but as with all
electrical and electronic equipment, certain precautions must be observed when installing and/or
operating the product. To reduce the risk of personal injury and to ensure the safe installation and
operation of the product, you must carefully read and follow all instructions, cautions and warnings
in this manual.
Warnings in this document
A warning describes a hazard to equipment or personnel. It calls attention to a procedure or practice,
which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of part or all
of the SMA equipment and/or other equipment connected to the SMA equipment or personal injury.
SymbolDescription
DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result
in death or serious injury.
CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result
in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE is used to address practices not related to personal injury.
4SB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-14User Manual
SMA America, LLCWarnings on this product
Warnings on this product
The following symbols are used as product markings with the following meanings.
SymbolDescription
Warning regarding dangerous voltage
The product works with high voltages. All work on the product must only be
performed as described in the documentation of the product.
Beware of hot surface
The product can become hot during operation. Do not touch the product during
operation.
Electric arc hazards
The product has large electrical potential differences between its conductors. Arc
flashes can occur through air when high-voltage current flows. Do not work on the
product during operation.
Risk of fire
Improper installation of the product may cause a fire.
Observe the operating instructions
Read the documentation of the product before working on it. Follow all safety
precautions and instructions as described in the documentation.
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-145
General WarningsSMA America, LLC
General Warnings
General Warnings
Al l el ect ric al ins tal lat ions m ust be m ade in acc ord anc e wi th the local and NationalElectrical Code
ANSI/NFPA 70 or the Canadian Electrical Code® CSAC22.1. This document does not and is not
intended to replace any local, state, provincial, federal or national laws, regulation or codes
applicable to the installation and use of the product, including without limitation applicable
electrical safety codes. All installations must conform with the laws, regulations, codes and
standards applicable in the jurisdiction of installation. SMA assumes no responsibility for the
compliance or noncompliance with such laws or codes in connection with the installation of the
product.
The product contains no user-serviceable parts.
For all repair and maintenance, always return the unit to an authorized SMA Service Center.
Before installing or using the product, read all of the instructions, cautions, and warnings in this
manual.
Before connecting the product to the electrical utility grid, contact the local utility company. This
connection must be made only by qualified personnel.
Wiring of the product must be made by qualified personnel only.
This document is valid for the following device types from firmware version 2.10:
• Sunny Boy 3000TL-US (SB 3000TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 3800TL-US (SB 3800TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 4000TL-US (SB 4000TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 5000TL-US (SB 5000TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 6000TL-US (SB 6000TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 7000TL-US (SB 7000TL-US-22)
• Sunny Boy 7700TL-US (SB 7700TL-US-22)
Target Group
This document is intended for end users.
Symbols
SymbolExplanation
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, can result in death or
serious injury
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, can result in minor or
moderate injury
Indicates a situation which, if not avoided, could result in property damage
Information that is important for a specific topic or goal, but is not
safety-relevant
☐Indicates an essential requirement for achieving a specific goal
☑Desired result
✖A problem that could occur
Nomenclature
Complete designationDesignation in this document
Sunny BoyInverter, product
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-149
1 Information on this DocumentSMA America, LLC
Abbreviations
AbbreviationDesignationExplanation
ACAlternating Current‒
DCDirect Current‒
LEDLight-Emitting Diode‒
10SB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-14User Manual
SMA America, LLC2 Safety
2 Safety
2.1 Intended Use
The Sunny Boy is a transformerless PV inverter which converts the direct current of a PV array into
grid-compliant alternating current and feeds it into the power distribution grid.
Figure 1: Design of a PV plant with a Sunny Boy
PositionDesignation
APV modules input A
BPV modules input B
CInverter with DC Disconnect
DMiniature circuit-breaker
ELoads
FElectricity meter
GPower distribution grid
The inverter is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Alternative uses of the Sunny Boy not expressly recommended by SMA are not permitted.
For safety reasons, it is not permitted to modify the product or install components that are not explicitly
recommended or distributed by SMA for this product.
The enclosed documentation is an integral part of this product.
• Read and observe the documentation.
• Keep the documentation in a convenient place for future reference.
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-1411
2 SafetySMA America, LLC
2.2 Safety Precautions
Danger to life from electric shock due to high voltages in the inverter
High voltages that can cause fatal electric shocks are present in the live components of the inverter.
• Do not open the inverter.
• All work on the inverter (e.g. repairs, modifications) may only be carried out by a qualified
person.
Danger to life from electric shock due to damaged devices
Operating a damaged inverter can lead to hazardous situations that result in death or serious
injuries due to electric shock.
• Only operate the inverter if it is in safe and full working order.
• Check the inverter regularly for visible damage.
• Only operate the inverter if there is no visible damage.
Risk of burns from hot surfaces
The surface of the inverter can become very hot. Touching the surface can lead to burns.
• During operation, only touch the lower enclosure lid and do not place any objects on the
enclosure. Placing objects on the enclosure can lead to power reductions due to overheating
and therefore to yield losses.
• Observe the safety messages on the inverter.
Inverter damage
Overvoltage can destroy the inverter.
• If the display message DC overvoltage - Disconnect generator is shown, inform your
installer IMMEDIATELY.
12SB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-14User Manual
SMA America, LLC3 Product Description
3 Product Description
3.1 Sunny Boy
The Sunny Boy is a transformerless PV inverter that converts the direct current of a PV array into
grid-compliant alternating current and feeds this into the power distribution grid.
Figure 2: Sunny Boy design
PositionDesignation
ACooling fins
BInverter type label
CDisplay
DLEDs
EDC Disconnect type labels
FDC Disconnect
GLower enclosure cover
HUpper enclosure cover
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-1413
3 Product DescriptionSMA America, LLC
kVAr
kVArh
kWh
MVArh
MWh
kW
kWh
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
K
L
M
I
Symbols on the Inverter
SymbolDesignationExplanation
InverterThis symbol defines the function of the
green LED. The green LED indicates the
operating state of the inverter.
Observe the documentation.This symbol defines the function of the
red LED. The red LED indicates an error.
• Contact your installer.
CommunicationThis symbol defines the function of the
blue LED. The blue LED indicates the
communication state of the inverter.
3.2 Display
The display shows the current operating data of the inverter (e.g., current power, daily energy, total
energy) as well as events or error messages. The power and energy are displayed as bars in the
diagram.
Figure 3: Display layout (example)
ItemDesignationExplanation
APowerCurrent power
BDayDaily energy
CTotalTotal amount of energy fed in until now
14SB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-14User Manual
SMA America, LLC3 Product Description
ItemDesignationExplanation
DActive functionsDisplays the activated or active functions for
communication, network system services or
temperature derating
ELine conductorLine conductor involved for the values displayed
FEvent number relating to the
power distribution grid
Event number of errors relating to the power
distribution grid
GOutput voltage/output currentDisplays output voltage and output current of a
line conductor in alternation
HEvent number relating to the
Event number of errors relating to the inverter
inverter
IInput voltage/input currentDisplays input voltage and input current of one
input in alternation
KEvent number relating to the PV
Event number of errors relating to the PV plant
plant
LText lineDisplays an event message or error message
MPower and yield curveDisplays the power curve of the last 16 feed-in
hours or the energy yield of the last 16 days
• In order to switch between the displays,
tap once on the enclosure lid.
Symbols on the Display
SymbolDesignationExplanation
TappingYou can operate the display by tapping it:
• Tapping once: to activate the backlight, to
scroll to the next text line, to switch
between the power graphs of the last
16 feed-in hours and the energy yields of
the last 16 days.
• Tapping twice: the display shows, in
succession, the firmware version, the serial
number of the inverter, the NetID, the
configured country data set and the
display language.
Telephone receiverIndicates a fault that cannot be rectified on site
• Contact your installer.
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-1415
3 Product DescriptionSMA America, LLC
SymbolDesignationExplanation
WrenchIndicates a fault that can be rectified on site
• Contact your installer.
Speedwire connectionIndicates that communication via Speedwire is
active and there is a network connection
Webconnect functionIndicates that there is a connection to Sunny
Portal
Multi-function relayIndicates that the multi-function relay is activated
Temperature symbolIndicates that the power of the inverter is limited
due to excessive temperature
Power limitationIndicates that external active power limitation via
the Power Reducer Box is active
PV array‒
Inverter‒
Grid relayGrid relay closed: indicates that the inverter is
feeding into the power distribution grid
Grid relay open: indicates that the inverter is
disconnected from the power distribution grid
Power distribution grid‒
16SB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-14User Manual
SMA America, LLC3 Product Description
3.3 Type Labels
3.3.1 Sunny Boy
The type label provides a unique identification of the inverter. The type label is on the right-hand side
of the enclosure.
Figure 4: Layout of the type label
PositionDesignationExplanation
AModelInverter device type
BS/NInverter serial number
CDate of manufactureInverter manufacture date (month/year)
DDevice-specific characteristics‒
You will require the information on the type label to use the inverter safely and when seeking customer
support from the SMA Service Line. The type label must be permanently affixed to the inverter.
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-1417
3 Product DescriptionSMA America, LLC
3.3.2 DC Disconnect
The type label provides a unique identification of the DC Disconnect. The type label is on the
right-hand side of the enclosure.
Figure 5: Layout of the type label
PositionDesignationExplanation
AProduct name‒
BItem No.DC Disconnect device type
CDate of manufactureDC Disconnect manufacture date (month/year)
DDevice-specific characteristics‒
ESerial No.DC Disconnect serial number
You will require the information on the type label to use the DC Disconnect safely and when seeking
customer support from the SMA Service Line. The type label must be permanently affixed to the
DC Disconnect.
18SB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-14User Manual
SMA America, LLC3 Product Description
3.3.3 Symbols on the Type Labels
SymbolDesignationExplanation
Danger to life due to high
voltages
Risk of burns from hot surfacesThe product can become hot during
Observe the documentation.Observe all documentation that is
ETL seal of approvalThe product has been certified as being
FCC seal of approvalThe product complies with the
The product operates at high voltages.
All work on the inverter must be carried
out by qualified persons only.
operation. Avoid contact during
operation. Allow the product to cool
down sufficiently before carrying out
any work. Wear personal protective
equipment such as safety gloves.
supplied with the product.
in accordance with the applicable
directives by ETL.
requirements of the applicable FCC
standards.
3.4 Communication Interface
The inverter can be fitted with an extra communication interface (e.g., RS485 or Speedwire with
Webconnect function). This communication interface enables the inverter to communicate with special
SMA communication products or other inverters (for information on supported products, see
www.SMA-Solar.com). The interface can be retrofitted, installed at the factory if specified in the order
or included in the scope of delivery.
You can only set the inverter parameters via SMA communication products.
Depending on the type of communication, RS485 or Speedwire, the parameters and messages are
displayed differently on the communication products.
Example: Displaying the country data set parameter
For communication via RS485: CntrySet parameter
For communication via Speedwire: Set country standard parameter
You can set the country data set of the inverter before commissioning or within the first ten operating
hours via the two rotary switches in the inverter. You can only set all other operating parameters of
the inverter via communication products.
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-1419
3 Product DescriptionSMA America, LLC
3.5 Secure Power Supply (SPS)
The inverter is equipped with a secure power supply by means of which an external socket-outlet can
be connected to the inverter. The socket-outlet provides current from the PV plant on demand in the
event of a grid failure (see Section 5 "Secure Power Operation", page 22). The secure power supply
also has a terminal for the fan retrofit kit, enabling an external fan to be controlled.
3.6 Fan Retrofit Kit
The fan retrofit kit is used for additional inverter cooling at high ambient temperatures (for information
on installation and configuration, see the fan retrofit kit installation manual). The fan retrofit kit can be
retrofitted, installed at the factory if specified in the order or included in the scope of delivery.
The Sunny Boy 6000TL-US, 7000TL-US and 7700TL-US are equipped with a fan as standard.
3.7 Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)
In accordance with the National Electrical Code®, Article 690.11, the inverter has a system for the
recognition of electric arc detection and interruption. An electric arc with a power of 300 W or
greater must be interrupted by the AFCI within the time specified by UL 1699B. A tripped AFCI can
only be reset manually. You can deactivate the automatic arc fault detection and interruption (AFCI)
via a communication product in "Installer" mode if you do not require this function. The 2011 edition
of the National Electrical Code
to a building must be fitted with a means of detecting and disconnecting serial electric arcs (AFCI) on
the PV side.
®
, Section 690.11 stipulates that newly installed PV systems attached
20SB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-14User Manual
SMA America, LLC4 LED Signals
4 LED Signals
The LEDs indicate the operating state of the inverter.
DesignationStatusExplanation
Green LEDIs litOperation
FlashingRequirements for connection to the power distribution
grid have not been met.
Red LEDIs litError
•Contact your installer.
Blue LEDIs litCommunication is activated.
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-1421
5 Secure Power OperationSMA America, LLC
5 Secure Power Operation
If the inverter has a secure power supply, you can use the energy from the PV plant directly via the
connected socket-outlet in the event of a grid failure. The inverter automatically regulates the energy
supply of the secure power socket-outlet according to the solar irradiation on the PV plant. While the
secure power socket-outlet is in use, the inverter is disconnected from the grid and does therefore not
feed into the power distribution grid. The secure power socket-outlet can not be used over-night,
because there is no solar irradiation available for the supply of the socket-outlet.
Do not connect any devices that require a stable electricity supply
The power available during secure power operation depends on the solar irradiation on the
PV modules. Therefore, the power can fluctuate considerably depending on the weather or
may not be available at all. In the event of solar irradiation being too low or overload of the
socket-outlet, the voltage supply of the secure socket-outlet will also be interrupted.
20 seconds after interruption, re-establishment of the voltage supply will be attempted
automatically. This can lead to the inadvertent starting of the connected loads.
• Do not operate any devices via the secure power socket-outlet that are dependent on a
stable electricity supply for their reliable operation.
• Ensure that the loads that are connected to the secure power socket-outlet do not require
more than 1,500 W.
Requirements
☐ The inverter must be showing the error message 202, 203, 204, 205 or 801.
☐ There must be sufficient solar irradiation.
☐ Load with a maximum power of 1,500 W
Procedure for the secure power operation
1. Switch off the inverter miniature circuit-breaker.
2. Switch on the socket-outlet.
3. Plug in the load.
4. Switch on the load.
Disconnection of the inverter due to insufficient irradiation
When the inverter disconnects itself due to insufficient irradiation, you have to switch back on
the socket-outlet as soon as irradiation is sufficient.
22SB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-14User Manual
SMA America, LLC6 The Message "Electr. arc detected" is displayed
Procedure once the power distribution grid becomes available again
If the power distribution grid becomes available again during secure power operation, the inverter
remains in secure power operation. The inverter only starts to feed in to the power distribution grid
again once the load has been disconnected and the miniature circuit-breaker is switched back on.
1. Disconnect the load.
2. Remove the plug for the load from the secure power socket-outlet.
3. Switch off the secure power socket-outlet so that the inverter begins feeding into the power
distribution grid again.
4. Switch the inverter miniature circuit-breaker back on.
6 The Message "Electr. arc detected" is displayed
✖ An electric arc occurred in the PV system.
✖ The red LED is permanently lit.
✖ The AFCI has tripped and the inverter is in permanent shutdown.
Danger of fire from electric arc
•Only test the AFCI for false tripping in the order described below.
• Do not deactivate the AFCI permanently.
1. If the fol low ing messa ge a ppe ars on the d isp lay , ta p on the enclosure lid: Electr. arc detected.
Please confirm by tapping.
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-1423
6 The Message "Electr. arc detected" is displayedSMA America, LLC
The message "Electr. arc detected. Please confirm by tapping." appears for
10 seconds only. After this, it is no longer possible to restart the unit by tapping
on the enclosure lid.
• Contact the SMA Service Line. See Section 10.
or
• Access the user interface of the communication product.
• Reset the operation inhibition by setting one of the following parameters:
Select the parameter Reset operating data or Op.FncSetIstl and set to Reset
operation inhibition or RSPermStopOp. This effects resetting of the operation
inhibition.
or
Se lec t th e pa ram ete r AFCI switched on or AfciIsOn and s et t o No and then bac k
to Yes. This effects resetting of the operation inhibition.
☑ If the AFCI self-test is successful, the green LED is lit and the display shows the device type, the
firmware version, the device names, the country data set and display language. If
communication is via Speedwire, then the status and the versions of the communication
assemblies will also be displayed also after the device names.
The inverter feeds into the grid.
✖ Green LED flashing?
Possible cause of error: The DC input voltage is still too low, or the inverter is monitoring the
utility grid.
• Once the DC input voltage is sufficiently high, the inverter goes into operation.
✖ The red LED is lit and an error message and event number appear in the display?
• Contact the SMA Service Line. See Section 10.
✖ The blue LED is glowing or flashing?
• Eliminate the communication error (Contact the SMA Service Line. See Section 10).
✖ If the AFCI self-test fails the inverter repeats the AFCI self-test until it is successful.
✖ If the AFCI self-test continues to fail Contact the SMA Service Line. See Section 10.
24SB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-14User Manual
SMA America, LLC7 Cleaning the Inverter
7 Cleaning the Inverter
Damage to the display due to the use of cleaning agents
• If the inverter is dirty, clean the enclosure lid, the display, and the LEDs using only clean water
and a cloth.
8 Glossary
Energy
Energy is the power that a system can supply or consume within a certain unit of time. Energy is
measured in Wh (watt hours). If your inverter feeds in for half an hour at 3,000 W and for half an
hour at 2,000 W, it will have fed in a total of 2,500 Wh.
Power
Power is the product of the voltage and electrical current strength. Power is measured in W (watts).
The power shown in the display is an instantaneous value. It indicates the power that your inverter is
currently feeding into the power distribution grid.
User ManualSB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-1425
9 Compliance InformationSMA America, LLC
9 Compliance Information
FCC Compliance
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions:
1. This device must not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
NO TE: Thi s eq uip men t ha s be en t est ed a nd f ound t o co mpl y wi th t he limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the distance between the equipment and the receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
• The user is cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by SMA America,
Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
IC Compliance
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
•This device must not cause interference, and
• This device must accept any interference, including interferences that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
26SB3-5TLUS22-BA-en-14User Manual
SMA America, LLC10 Contact
10 Contact
If you have technical problems, first contact your installer. The following information is required in
order to provide you with the necessary assistance:
• Inverter device type
• Inverter serial number
• Inverter firmware version
• Special country-specific settings of the inverter
• Type and number of PV modules connected
• Mounting location and mounting altitude of the inverter
• Three-digit or four-digit event number and display message of the inverter
• Optional equipment, e.g., communication products