SMA Solar Technology AG
1 Notes on this Guide
1.1 Target Group
Only qualified electricians may install and commission the grounding set.
1.2 Symbols Used
The following four types of safety instructions and general information appear in this document as
described below:
DANGER!
DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
NOTICE!
NOTICE indicates a situation that can result in property damage if not avoided.
Information
Information provides tips that are valuable for the optimal installation and operation of
your product.
2 Security
2.1 Appropriate Usage
If you use special cell technologies in your PV generator (e.g. thin-film PV modules and back-contact
PV modules), it may be necessary to ground the PV generator, either positively or negatively. With this
in mind SMA Solar Technology has developed two grounding sets with which the positive or negative
grounding of the PV generator, as recommended by the module manufacturer, can be performed
already within the inverter. This device-internal grounding provides safe long-term operation and
optimum EMC properties while minimizing the installation costs.
The grounding set includes a 1 A fuse as protection against the danger of fire and a circuit adjusting
the inverter's isolation monitoring to the grounding set. The grounding set directly connects the pole
to be grounded (plus or minus) of the PV modules and the inverter's PE connection via the fuse. This
circuit has been designed for Germany and is suitable for many other countries as well. Before
installation, check if the installation country allows to connect a pole to ground.
The positive grounding set (ESHV-P-NR) is used, for example, for certain modules with back-contact
cells. The negative grounding set (ESHV-N-NR) is used, for example, for thin-film modules. Your
module manufacturer can provide you with information on the necessity and type of grounding of
your PV system.
Installation Guide
Notes on this Guide
ESHV-IXX103013
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