I have 7 sma model #SB 6000TL-US-22 single phase inverters, already installed on a 3 phase 4 wire 208, almost had a heart attack when I opened the AC connection of the inverter and there was only L1 L2 neutral,called sales guy he tells me that SMA said they were 3 phase 208 , it does say 240 or 208, SMA sent me a emai about a grid guard, basically all it was Fill out some paper work to get things going ,has anybody any experience with this,SMA can't tell me what wires I need to run to my inverters. Is it 3 hots no neutral help........?
SMA Grid Guard
- Thread starter SAP
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Color me double confused...
You have them installed bit you are asking what wires you are supposed to run to them?
Either you have them installed or you do not... and I'm leaning towards the latter. Can you please confirm?
Is it that you have the array plus up to and including the inverters installed... and now all you have left is to install the AC side?
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Most single phase string inverters can connect either to L1 and L2 of 120/240, with a neutral connection just to allow them to measure L1-N to L2-N voltage balance as part of qualifying the POCO voltage (required by UL, I think) OR to any two lines of a three phase 208Y/120 service, with the neutral essentially unused. Often there is a configuration jumper to select one mode or the other, which primarily changes what the unit is looking for when qualifying the grid.
I'm thinking he just connects A&B, or B&C, or A&C to the L1 and L2 terminals. Don't know about the neutral to the N terminal. Manuals no help that I can see.
ggunn
PE (Electrical), NABCEP certified
- Location
- Austin, TX, USA
- Occupation
- Consulting Electrical Engineer - Photovoltaic Systems
I guess I'm confused. At first you call the 6000TL's single phase inverters (which they are) and then you say the sales guy called them three phase inverters (which they are not). They can indeed be connected to a three phase 208 service, ideally in groups of three to keep things balanced, by connecting them phase to phase: AB, BC, and CA, respectively.
I have no idea what a "grid guard" is.
The SMA grid guard settings are the inverter settings that control how the inverter reacts to changes on the grid. Typically the inverter comes preprogramed with the settings appropriate for where it is being installed but sometimes there are local variations that require these setting to be changed. The settings are accessed with a Grid Guard Code you get from SMA, because they don't want just anyone mucking around in the settings.
I have no idea why SMA would give this to you in response to your situation. It does not jive. Is there a problem with the system or are you poking around for the fun of it?
I have no idea why SMA would give this to you in response to your situation. It does not jive. Is there a problem with the system or are you poking around for the fun of it?
ggunn
PE (Electrical), NABCEP certified
- Location
- Austin, TX, USA
- Occupation
- Consulting Electrical Engineer - Photovoltaic Systems
Actually, I believe it's more a CYA action on SMA's part. Before they tell you the formula to calculate the service password they make you sign an agreement whereby you swear not use your newfound powers to violate UL1741; then if you do and something bad happens, their A's are C'ed.
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