SC 500HE-US
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CA
US
Central Inverter
SUNNY CENTRAL 500HE-US/CA
Installation Manual
SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 | 98-4017514 | Version 1.4
SMA America, LLC Legal Restrictions
Legal Restrictions
Copyright © 2013 SMA America,LLC. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form
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.
The Bluetooth
any use of such marks by SMA America,LLC and SMA Solar Technology Canada Inc. is under
license.
®
word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and
SMA America, LLC
3801 N. Havana Street
Denver, CO 80239 U.S.A.
SMA Solar Technology Canada Inc.
2425 Matheson Blvd. E
8th Floor
Mississauga, ON L4W 5K5
Canada
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 3
Important Safety Instructions SMA America, LLC
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Important Safety Instructions
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
This manual contains important instructions for the following products:
• Sunny Central 500HE-US
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.
Symbol Description
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.
Warnings on this product
The following symbols are used as product markings with the following meanings.
Symbol Description
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.
4 SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 Installation Manual
SMA America, LLC
Symbol Description
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.
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 5
SMA America, LLC
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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.
®
6 SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 Installation Manual
SMA America, LLC Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Notes on this Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.1 Target Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.2 Validity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.3 Additional Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.4 Structure of this Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.1 Appropriate Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.2 Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3 The Sunny Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.1 System Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.2 The Design of the Sunny Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.3 Location of the Safety Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.4 Identifying the Sunny Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.5 Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4 Unpacking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.1 Unpacking and Inspection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.2 Scope of Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.3 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5 Transport and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.1 Choosing the Installation Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.1.1 Dimensions and weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.1.2 Ambient Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.1.3 Minimum Clearance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.1.4 Characteristics of the Base. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.2 Preparation of the Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.2.1 Position of the Mounting Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.2.2 Size of the Mounting Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.2.3 Drilling Holes into the Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
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5.3 Transporting the Sunny Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5.3.1 Center of Gravity of the Sunny Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5.3.2 Equipment for Transport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
5.4 Transporting the Sunny Central with a Crane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
5.4.1 Uninstalling the Roof of the Sunny Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
5.4.2 Moving the Sunny Central with a Crane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
5.4.3 Installing the Roof of the Sunny Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
5.5 Installing the Sunny Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.5.1 Removing the Kick Plates from the Sunny Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.5.2 Attach the Sunny Central to the base. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5.5.3 Install Ventilation Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5.5.4 Attaching the Kick Plates to the Sunny Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
6 Attaching the Conduits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
6.1 Insert cables from the right into the Sunny Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
6.2 Insert cables from below into the Sunny Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
7 Connecting Optional Communication Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
7.1 Position of the Communication Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
7.2 Connecting the Sunny SensorBox (optional). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
7.2.1 Connecting the Data Cable of the Sunny SensorBox . . . . . . . . . . . 41
7.3 Sunny WebBox (optional). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
7.3.1 Installing the WebBox in the Sunny Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7.3.2 Connecting the Sunny WebBox in the Sunny Central . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7.3.3 Connecting the Cable to the Sunny WebBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7.3.4 Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
8 Electrical Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
8.1 Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
8.2 Connection in Control and Interface Cabinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
8.2.1 Connection Area for Analog inputs and auxiliary power . . . . . . . . 48
8.2.2 Connection Area of the Low Temperature Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
8.2.3 Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
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8.2.4 Optional External 3-phase voltage supply
(3AC, 208/120V, 60Hz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
8.2.5 Connecting the external 208 V power supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
8.2.6 Connecting Analog input setting cables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
8.2.7 Connecting Cables for the Low Temperature Option. . . . . . . . . . . . 54
8.3 Connection Area for AC, DC cables and ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
8.4 Connection Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
8.4.1 DC Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
8.4.2 Grounding the PV modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
8.4.3 Cable connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
8.4.4 Cable requirements for DC, AC and PE connection . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
8.4.5 Additional cable requirements for DC connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
8.5 Connecting DC cables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
8.5.1 Connecting DC cables with screw terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
8.5.2 Connecting DC cables with cable lugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
8.6 Connection of the PV Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
8.6.1 PV Modules: DC − Connection at Negative Grounding and DC+
Connection at Positive Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
8.6.2 PV Modules: DC+ Connection at Negative Grounding and DC −
Connection at Positive Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
8.7 AC Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
8.7.1 Additional cable requirements for AC connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
8.7.2 Arranging AC cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
8.7.3 Connecting AC cables to busbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
8.7.4 AC Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
8.8 Connecting protective earth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
8.8.1 Additional cable requirements for PE connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
8.8.2 Connecting protective earth to Terminal Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
8.8.3 Connecting protective earth to busbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
9 Commissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
9.1 Visual Inspection of the Sunny Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
9.2 Switching the Sunny Central On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
9.2.1 Check the Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
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10 Opening the Sunny Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
10.1 Opening the Control and Interface Cabinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
10.2 Opening the Power Cabinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
11 Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
11.1 Measurement Accuracy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
11.2 Torques and Cable Sizes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
12 Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
13 Appendix - Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
10 SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 Installation Manual
SMA America, LLC 1 Notes on this Manual
1 Notes on this Manual
This manual describes the installation and the commissioning of a Sunny Central 500HE-US and
Sunny Central 500HE-CA with up to 9 DC fuses. This manual does not cover any details concerning
PV modules. Information concerning the PV modules is available from the manufacturer of the PV
modules.
1.1 Target Group
This manual is for qualified personnel. Qualified personnel has received training and has
demonstrated skills and knowledge in the construction and operation of the device. Qualified
personnel is trained to deal with the dangers and hazards involved in installing electric devices.
1.2 Validity
This manual is valid for the Sunny Central 500HE-US and Sunny Central 500HE-CA. In this manual
the Sunny Central 500HE-US and Sunny Central 500HE-CA are referred to as "Sunny Central".
In this document, the manufacturer of the SMA inverters described herein, being SMA America, LLC
or SMA Solar Technology Canada Inc. as indicated on the type label of the inverter, is referred to as
SMA.
1.3 Additional Information
You can find further information on special subjects in the download area of www.sma-america.com
or www.sma-solar.com.
Among other things, the download area contains the following items:
• Installation guide "Sunny Central String-Monitor Controller"
• Installation guide "Sunny Central 485HUB"
• Installation guide "Sunny Sensor 485HUB"
1.4 Structure of this Documentation
The Sunny Central's installation comprises several steps. Here we will describe the contents you will
find in the sections of the installation instructions.
The instructions are divided into the following sections:
Section 2: Safety
In this section you will find general safety directions which you must observe throughout the entire
installation process. Pay special attention to this section, so as to avoid personal and material
damages.
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 11
1 Notes on this Manual SMA America, LLC
Section 3: The Sunny Central
In this section you will see how one can identify the Sunny Central. A short description of the Sunny
Central's design and functions is given here.
Section 4: Unpacking
This section describes what to look out for upon receiving your Sunny Central, and who to turn to if
your Sunny Central is damaged.
Section 5: Transport and Installation
This section shows you how to find the best installation site for your Sunny Central. It provides
step-by-step instructions on how to transport and install the Sunny Central and connect the cabinets
with each other electrically. Observe all safety precautions in this section to avoid material and
personal damages.
Section 6: Attaching the Conduits
In this section you will learn where to insert the cables in the Sunny Central and where to punch the
holes for the conduits.
Section 7: Connecting Optional Communication Devices
The Sunny Central can be equipped with different communication devices. This section explains how
the communication devices in the Sunny Central are connected.
Section 8: Electrical Connection
This section describes how the Sunny Central is connected to the grid and to the PV modules, and
what precautions must be observed in order to avoid material and personal damages. It provides
information on the necessary cable sizes and the magnitude of the torque for the cable connection.
Section 9: Commissioning
This section explains, step-by-step, how to put the Sunny Central into operation, and how you can
determine that the commissioning was successful.
Section 10: Opening the Sunny Central
Th is s ect ion de scr ibe s how t o open the Sun ny Cen tra l an d what precautions must be observed in order
to avoid personal damages.
Section 11: Parameter
This section provides an overview of the parameters of the Sunny Central and their respective
threshold values.
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SMA America, LLC 1 Notes on this Manual
Section 12: Technical Data
In this section you will find the technical data for the Sunny Central's operation, the norms to which it
conforms and the required cables and torques.
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 13
2 Safety SMA America, LLC
A
B
C
D
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E F
2 Safety
In this section you will find general safety directions which you must observe throughout the entire
installation process. Pay special attention to this section, so as to avoid personal and material
damages.
2.1 Appropriate Usage
The Sunny Central is a MPPT (maximum power point tracker) PV inverter that converts the DC energy
from PV modules to AC energy. This energy is then fed into the public grid.
The SunnyCentral500HE‑US is designed for indoor and outdoor installation.
The Sunny Central HE-US is a high efficiency PV inverter and it does not include a transformer inside
its cabinets. You can connect up to 2 Sunny Centrals to one transformer.
External output transformer requirements
• The Sunny Central has been evaluated by UL for compliance with Underwriters Laboratory (UL)
1741 / IEEE 1547 requirements at the inverter terminals and with UL Recognized external
transformer Model 3UI380/310, Manufactured by J. Schneider. This transformer is rated for a
voltage of 200 V L-L on the inverter side and an impedance of less than 6%.
• If the Sunny Central is used with a different transformer other than the transformer used during
testing, the external transformer used must be a UL Listed type, with separate primary and
secondary windings rated 500 kVA minimum, and limited to a maximum impedance variance
of less than or equal to 6%. This external transformer is required to be located between the
output of the Sunny Central and the utility power connection.
The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) must consider the possible consequences of using a different
transformer other than the one used to evaluate the Sunny Central by UL. In addition, the AHJ must
consider the effects of using different UL Listed transformers with respect to electrical ratings,
impedance, and the resultant affect on the performance of the inverter, with respect to the ratings and
impedance specified in the installation manual.
Refer to the technical description "Transformer Requirements" for a detailed Transfomer information.
The description is available at www.sma-america.com and www.sma-solar.com
Principle of a PV Power System with a Sunny Central
14 SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 Installation Manual
SMA America, LLC 2 Safety
Position Description
APV modules
B DC distribution with DC fuses (e.g., Sunny Central String-Monitor)
C e. g. SMA Disconnect Unit
D Sunny Central
E e. g. SMA Disconnect Unit
FTransformer
GPublic grid
Any other application of the Sunny Central or installation of components and modifications which are
not explicitly allowed endanger the safety and void the warranty as well as the operation permit.
PV and AC disconnect
As an option, the internal AC circuit breaker of the Sunny Central can be mounted externally either in
the Disconnect Unit made by SMA or in another cabinet provided by others.
Th e un it i s prov ide d wi th a UL l isted cir cui t br eak er on t he o utp ut r ate d 16 00 A fo r br anc h ci rcu it
protection. If the circuit breaker shall be located externally to secure the AC path, you have to
use the same type of circuit breaker (ABB Emax E2B-A with 42 kA rated short-circuit current,
ABB Emax E2N-A with 65 kA rated short-circuit current or ABB Emax E2H-A with 85 kA rated
short-circuit current and and 1600 A continuous current rating each) to ensure UL listing of the
whole system.
®
According to National Electrical Code
neccessary to install a PV and AC disconnect. Therefore, either the Disconnect Unit made by
SMA for PV as well as AC disconnection or a solution provided by others has to be used to
satisfy this requirement.
ANSI/NFPA 70 and Canadian Electrical Code it is
Disclaimer
• It is prohibited to use the Sunny Central for purposes other than those described here.
• It is prohibited to modify the Sunny Central or to install components that are not explicitly
recommended by SMA or sold by SMA for this purpose.
• It is prohibited to connect the Sunny Central without transformer to the grid. Operating the
Sunny Central without transformer causes a short-circuit and can destroy the Sunny Central.
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 15
2 Safety SMA America, LLC
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2.2 Safety Instructions
High voltages are present in the live components of the low voltage grid.
Death resulting from burning and electric shock.
• Do not touch the live components of the Sunny Central or low-voltage grid.
• Pay close attention to all safety precaution measures regarding the low voltage grid.
During operation, high voltages are present in the Sunny Central.
Death resulting from electric shock.
• Do not operate the Sunny Central with doors open.
During operation, high voltages are present in the Sunny Central.
Death resulting from electric shock.
• Before commencing work on the Sunny Central:
• Disconnect completely
• Ensure that the device cannot be reconnected
•Ensure that no voltage is present.
• Ground and short-circuit
• Cover any nearby live parts
Normally grounded conductors may be ungrounded and energized when a ground-fault is
indicated.
Risk of electric shock.
•Test before touching.
• Work on the Sunny Central must be carried out by qualified personnel.
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SMA America, LLC 2 Safety
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Failure to follow the manual, the operating instructions and the safety precautions may lead to
severe injury from electric shock.
• All work on the Sunny Central shall only be done as described in this manual.
• Pay attention to all safety instructions.
• Follow all operating instructions.
• If problems occur when performing the work described here, contact SMA America.
Operating a damaged Sunny Central may cause severe injury from electric shock.
• The Sunny Central shall only be used when it is technically faultless and safe to operate.
• Operate the Sunny Central only if there are no visible damages.
• Regularly check the Sunny Central for visible damage.
• Ensure that all safety features are accessible at all times and that their correct operation is
tested regularly.
Cuts and scratches due to sharp edges inside the Sunny Central.
• When working on the Sunny Central wear protective gloves.
The components in the Sunny Central can be damaged by electrostatic discharge.
• When working on the Sunny Central and when handling the components observe all ESD
safety regulations.
• Discharge electrostatic charge by touching the grounded Sunny Central enclosure.
• Only then is it safe to touch any electronic components.
Storage of handbooks
Keep this documentation in the immediate vicinity of the Sunny Central. It must be accessible to
service and maintenance personnel at any time.
Do not store the documentation or any other papers in the Sunny Central.
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 17
3 The Sunny Central SMA America, LLC
3 The Sunny Central
In this section you will see how to identify the Sunny Central. A short descrip tion of the Sunny Cen tral's
design and functions are given here.
3.1 System Overview
The Sunny Central is an inverter for indoor and outdoor. The enclosure is made of stainless steel and
al umi num whi ch con for ms t o th e NE MA 3 R pr ote cti on rat ing . NE MA 3R means that the Sunny Central
is protected against dust and water when it is closed. The Sunny Central is protected from salt fog
pariculars, it can be operated in chemically aggressive environments.
Operating Principles
The PV modules convert a portion of sunlight into electrical energy (direct current). The Sunny Central
then converts the direct current into alternating current and feeds it into the public grid. This current
can be used directly, or it can be sold to your energy provider.
3.2 The Design of the Sunny Central
Position Cabinet Description
A Power Cabinet The power cabinet contains the power unit for converting direct
current to alternating current.
BControl and
Interface
Cabinet
18 SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 Installation Manual
All AC, DC and communication cables are connected in the control
and interface cabinet. The control and interface cabinet contains:
•system control
• Sunny Display
• stop/start switch
optional communication devices
SMA America, LLC 3 The Sunny Central
3.3 Location of the Safety Notices
The figure to the right shows the location of the safety notices on the Sunny Central.
Position Description
A Power Cabinet door and Control and
Interface Cabinet door
Warning regarding high voltages in the
Sunny Central.
B Warning regarding hazardous voltage.
C Notice regarding operation of the
Sunny Central without transformer.
D Warning regarding hazardous voltages.
E Warning regarding hot surface.
F Warning regarding hot surface.
G Information regarding negative
grounding.
H Information regarding positive grounding.
I Information regarding equipment ground
K Notice not to change settings
L Information regarding AC voltage.
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 19
3 The Sunny Central SMA America, LLC
SMA America
www.sma-america.com
SUNNY CENTRAL
Model:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxSC500HE-US
Serial No.: xxxxxxxxx
Fabrication Date:
Max. Continuous output Power*
Operating voltage range (Vac 3-Phase)*
Min
xxx
Operating frequency range (Hz)*
Max. continuous output current*
Range of input operating voltage
MPPT Range of operating DC voltage*
xxxkWac
Nominal Max
xxx xxx
Min
xx.x
Nominal Max
xx.x xx.x
xxx.xAac
Output power factor
x.xx
xxx - xxx Vdc
The unit contains DC-Ground and Fault Detector
and Interruptor
Max. operating current*
xxx - xxx Vdc
xxx Adc
ENCLOSURE
Type 3R (IP54)
*For more details and for tightening torque,
allowable wire size and type see the Operator’s
Manual
xx/xxxx
A
Fabrication Version: xxx
Utility interactive inverter
LISTED UL 1741 36AN
Range of input operating voltage
xxx - xxx Vdc
Range of input operating voltage
xxx - xxx Vdc
Engineered in Germany - Assembled in Denver/Colorado
US80
B
C
3.4 Identifying the Sunny Central
You can identify the Sunny Central using the type plate
(see figure at right). The type plate is on the inside of the
Control and Interface Cabinet on the upper left side and
in the Power Cabinet on the right side.
Position Description
A Type description of the Sunny Central
B Serial number of the Sunny Central
C Date of manufacture
3.5 Firmware
The Sunny Central's firmware, and that of the display, are shown on the display of the Sunny Central.
The Sunny Central’s user manual describes how to obtain the firmware version.
20 SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 Installation Manual
SMA America, LLC 4 Unpacking
4 Unpacking
This section describes what to look out for upon receiving your Sunny Central, and who to turn to if
your Sunny Central is damaged.
Refer to the technical description "Unpacking the Sunny Central 500HE-US" for a detailed
step-by-step instruction. The description is fixed at the shipping container.
4.1 Unpacking and Inspection
All SMA Sunny Centrals are thoroughly checked before they are packaged and shipped. Although
they are shipped in sturdy packaging, damage can still occur during shipping and delivery. It is
important to carefully inspect the shipping container and contents prior to installation. If you detect
any external damage after unpacking, report the damage immediately to your SMA dealer and
shipping company that delivered the unit. If it becomes necessary to return the Sunny Central, use the
original packing material.
If you need assistance with a damaged Sunny Central, contact your SMA dealer or SMA America.
Contact information for SMA America is provided in chapter 12.
4.2 Scope of Delivery
Position Description
ASunny Central
B Condensate drain
C Installation Guide, User Manual, Circuit Diagram, Test Report
DTorx screwdriver
E Ventilation plate with air filters for installation in the base of the Sunny Central
F Non-woven abrasive
G Allen key
H Separate DC fuses*
*option
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 21
4 Unpacking SMA America, LLC
/05*$&
/05*$&
4.3 Storage
Improper storage can cause moisture to seep into the Sunny Central.
Damage to the Sunny Central.
• The Sunny Central must be closed during storage.
• If stored for 6 months or longer, make sure the storage area is dry.
• The storage temperature has to be between − 13°Fto140°F( − 25°Cto+60°C).
Uneven underground can damage the frame construction.
• The underground must be suitable for the weight of the inverter of 1,800 kg.
• The underground may only deviate from a level of 0.25%.
22 SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 Installation Manual
SMA America, LLC 5 Transport and Installation
5 Transport and Installation
This section shows you how to find the best installation site for your Sunny Central. It provides
instructions on how to transport and install a single Sunny Central as well as two Sunny Centrals to
one transformer. Observe all safety precautions in this section to avoid material and personal
damages.
5.1 Choosing the Installation Site
5.1.1 Dimensions and weight
The Sunny Central has a total weight of approx. 3,970 lbs (1,800 kg).
Dimensions with roof
Position Dimension
Height 89.76 in. (2,280 mm)
Width 100.87 in. (2,562 mm)
Depth 37.60 in. (955 mm)
Dimensions without roof
Position Dimension
Height 80.79 in. (2,052 mm)
Width 98.58 in. (2,504 mm)
Depth 37.24 in. (946 mm)
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 23
5 Transport and Installation SMA America, LLC
12 in.(300 mm)
6 in.
47 in.
6 in.(150 mm) A
16 in. (406 mm)
(150 mm)
(1200 mm)
47 in.
(1200 mm) B
5.1.2 Ambient Conditions
• The installation location must be accessible at all times.
• The ambient temperature must be between ‒13°F and +122°F (between –25°C and+50°C).
• Direct solar irradiation reduces the output power of the Sunny Central.
• Refer to the installation requirements for further information on indoor placement.
• For more information see section 11 and the "Installation requirements for Sunny Central
500HE-US" which can be downloaded at www.sma-america.com and www.SMA-Solar.com.
5.1.3 Minimum Clearance
Minimum Clearance 1 Sunny Central
Observe the specified minimum clearances for the cables, ventilation and for opening the doors. For
installing the Sunny Central in closed rooms an air supply of 1,766 CFM (3,000 m³/h) is needed.
Position Minimum Clearance
Front 47 in. (1,200 mm)
Left side 6 in. (150 mm)
Rear 12 in. (300 mm)
Right side A: Cables inserted from below 6 in. (150 mm)
B: Cables inserted from the side 47 in. (1,200 mm)
Top 16 in. (406 mm)
24 SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 Installation Manual
SMA America, LLC 5 Transport and Installation
8"3/*/(
12 in.
(300 mm)
6 in.
48 in.
47 in.
A
B
D
D
(150 mm)
(1220 mm)
(1200 mm)
47 in.
(1200 mm)
12 in.
(300 mm)
Minimum Clearance 2 Sunny Centrals with Transformer
Observe the specified minimum clearances for the cables, for ventilation and for opening the doors.
Opening the doors of two Sunny Central devices blocks the escape route.
• Only open the doors of one Sunny Central at the same time.
Position Description
A Sunny Central 1
B Sunny Central 2
C Medium voltage transformer
D Cable route between Sunny Central and transformer. The cables between the
Sunny Central and the transformer may not be longer then 49 ft. (15 m).
Position Dimensions
Sunny Central rear 12 in. (300 mm)
Distance between Sunny Central A an B 48 in. (1,800 mm)
Right side of Sunny Central A 47 in. (1,200 mm)
Left side of Sunny Central B 6 in. (150 mm)
Distance between transformer and Sunny Centrals 47 in. (1,200 mm)
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 25
5 Transport and Installation SMA America, LLC
min. 110 in.
min. 45. in.
(1150 mm)
(2800 mm)
5.1.4 Characteristics of the Base
The foundation must be made of concrete or of a metal frame (skid).
• The mounting surface must be level and strong enough to support the weight of the inverter.
The evenness of the foundation must be better than 0.25%.
• The width and depth of the base must be at least the same size as the Sunny Central.
The recommended minimum sizing is shown in picture below.
Position Description
Width 110 in. (2,800 mm)
Depth 45 in. (1150 mm)
• To insert the cables from below, the cable conduits must be laid in the foundation
(see section 6.2).
26 SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 Installation Manual
SMA America, LLC 5 Transport and Installation
5.2 Preparation of the Base
The inverter must be secured to the foundation per local building codes. At the bottom of the
Sunny Central there are 6 mounting holes for anchoring it to its base.
5.2.1 Position of the Mounting Holes
Position Dimension
Distance between hole 3 and 4 31.69 in. (805 mm)
Distance between hole 1 and 2 53.03 in. (1,347 mm)
Distance between hole 2 and 3 39.37 in. (1,000 mm)
Cable entry width 42.91 in. (1,090 mm)
Cable entry depth 31.69 in. (805 mm)
5.2.2 Size of the Mounting Holes
Position Dimension
Diameter 0.63 in. (16 mm)
Installation Manual SC500HEUS-IA-US_en-14 27
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