MidNite Solar MNE250SMA Installation Manual

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SMA E-Panel

The MidNite Solar SMA E-Panel is designed for single & multiple inverter installations.

Use this installation manual to aid in installation. The installation of electrical systems such as this fall

under the guidelines of the NEC in the USA. Canadian electrical codes have jurisdiction in Canada.

These instructions are not intended to be used in lieu of these local and federal codes, but rather are

used as specific to this product. You may need to consult with a professional solar installer or electrical

inspector when in doubt on code specific questions and system installation issues. Even though the E-

Panel incorporates and simplifies numerous separate electrical circuits into one enclosure, an inverter

system such as this is still a very sophisticated and somewhat complicated electrical system.

MidNite Solar Inc.

17722 – 67

Ave Ne

Arlington, Wa 98223 USA

installation manual

Model MNE250SMA

360-403-7207 Voice

360-691-6862 Fax

www.midnitesolar.com

Dual Master shown

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Summary of Contents for MidNite Solar MNE250SMA

Page 1 Dual Master shown Model MNE250SMA The MidNite Solar SMA E-Panel is designed for single & multiple inverter installations. Use this installation manual to aid in installation. The installation of electrical systems such as this fall under the guidelines of the NEC in the USA. Canadian electrical codes have jurisdiction in Canada.
Page 2 SMA E-Panel installation manual This Manual contains information for MidNite Solar SMA E-Panel Model Numbers: Masters: MNE250SMA-AC SINGLE Single - Single – Off Grid MNE250SMA-OG SINGLE Master – Dual Off Grid MNE250SMA-OG/AC DM Master – Quad System AC Coupled / Off Grid...
Page 3: Important Safety Instructions
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS If service or repair should become necessary, contact MidNite Solar Inc. Improper servicing may result in a risk of shock, fire or explosion. To reduce these risks, disconnect all wiring before attempting any maintenance or cleaning. Turning off the inverter will not reduce these risks.
Page 4 2. Si vous ne comprenez pas l’une des concepts ou des instructions contenu dans cette manuel consulter un agent spécialisé. 3. Si des réparations sont nécessaires contactez MidNite Solar pour plus des informations. Danger de choc électrique et de risque de brulure. Rien à dépanner à l'intérieure du cette appareil. Ne pas ouvrir le couver.
Page 5: Table Of Contents
SMA E-Panel installation manual Table of Contents Model Number Descriptions ........................2 Warning Symbols ............................ 2 Warnings ..............................3,4 Component locator ........................... 7 Mounting System to the wall ........................8 Dimensional drawings ..........................13 Wiring ..............................15 Installing Conduit between E-Panels ....................16 AC Coupled Systems description ......................
Page 6 SMA E-Panel installation manual All E-Panels: 9-565-1 1" Grommets 9-314-1 2" Grommet 6-032-1 1/4-20 Bolts 4 to mount the e-panel, 5 extra to mount the inverter 6-010-2 2 M6 Screws and other hardware for mounting inverter to backplate 10-234-1 Manual Dual System: 9-565-1 1"...
Page 7 SMA E-Panel installation manual DC Negative DC Disconnect 500Amp/50mv Breaker – Relay Shunt trippable Dinrail for Bypass Breakers additional breakers AC or DC Battery Plus Bus Charge Controller Charge Controller breakers* breakers* Positive and negative input connections MNSMARB Relay board Ground Busbar AC Neutral busbar AC Output...
Page 8 SMA E-Panel installation manual Mounting the SMA E-Panel to the wall: This section describes the general instructions for installing components to the wall or other mounting surface. When you have completed this section then refer to the appropriate section for your model for specific instructions on wiring and wiring diagrams.
Page 9 SMA E-Panel installation manual Mounting the SMA E-Panel to the wall cont.: Install the inverter mounting bracket before mounting the backplate to the wall. Use ¼- 20 bolts and flat washers. Pressed in nuts are provided on the backplate. Ensure that the inverter bracket is centered and is resting on the mounting screws (down on the screws and not slid up).
Page 10 SMA E-Panel installation manual Mounting the SMA E-Panel to the wall cont.: These two mounting locations are not used The inverter is spaced away from Inverter lower mounting screw locations. the back plate at the four lower mounting screws. Inverter lower mounting screws installed 10 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1...
Page 11 SMA E-Panel installation manual Mounting the SMA E-Panel to the wall cont.: Slider Remove the deadfront (metal front cover) by removing the screws in the When reinstalling the four corners and the two deadfront ensure that the on the DC disconnect breaker handles are breaker.
Page 12 SMA E-Panel installation manual Hinge Pin Cover mounting bracket on E-Panel Plastic cover installation: To install the cover line up both molded in hinge pins with the cover mounting brackets and slide down into position. Hinge pin installed into mounting bracket –...
Page 13 SMA E-Panel installation manual Mounting the SMA E-Panel to the wall continued: 2/0 Battery cable lengths necessary to complete installation as shown above: Above: Quad system with Battery Combiner. E-Panel Positive Negative Studs are shown for reference and are at 16” centers. 71”...
Page 14 SMA E-Panel installation manual Front Right Side knockout location Bottom knockout location 14 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1 R E V : A...
Page 15: System Wiring
AC Coupled or three phase. The diagrams below also cover single, dual and quad systems with up to 7 Classic Charge Controllers. Components sold separately. If you are unsure of any aspect of the installation contact a licensed electrician or MidNite Solar at 360.403.7207.
Page 16 SMA E-Panel installation manual INSTALLING CONDUIT BETWEEN E-PANELS: Conduit and fitting parts Bushing Fitting Fitting Bushing Nut Conduit With one inverter installed, remove the top Inside the E-Panel, secure the fitting with and bottom knockouts (see image next page) one of the nuts and a bushing that face the other E-Panel and push one of the fittings from the outside through the knockout opening into the E-Panel.
Page 17 SMA E-Panel installation manual Knockouts Removed Place a fitting on one side of a conduit Remove the facing knockouts on the second inverter. Move the second E-Panel and insert the other end of the conduit into one of the fittings installed in the into place.
Page 18 SMA E-Panel installation manual Installing conduit between Inverters continued. Typical wire routing between E-Panels. Refer to the appropriate wiring diagram for your system. In the example above L2OUT goes from the transfer breakers on the master to the L2OUT busbar on the slave unit, L2IN goes from the L2IN busbar on the master unit to the L2IN busbar on the Slave unit, all in the lower conduit.
Page 19 SMA E-Panel installation manual Master Slave unit unit Inverter wiring and wiring between E-Panels complete. Ready for AC/DC in and out connections. AC Coupled Systems. AC coupling allows a grid-tie system to also provide backup power during an outage. Grid tied systems are required to stop sending power to the grid immediately upon a power failure.
Page 20 INSTALLED IN THE FIELD 400ah 400ah 400ah 400ah Typical complete off grid system with one MNE250SMA-OG and one Classic charge controller. Parts sold separately. 20 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1 R E V : A...
Page 21 THESE MUST OF COURSE BE 400ah 400ah 400ah 400ah INSTALLED IN THE FIELD Typical UPS system. MNE250SMA-AC. Works with grid or generator. Parts sold separately. 21 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1 R E V : A...
Page 22 SMA E-Panel installation manual Typical complete single system. Parts sold separately. 22 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1 R E V : A...
Page 23 NEUTRAL NEUTRAL NEUTRAL BATTERY NEGATIVE BATTERY POSITIVE Typical complete quad stack system. MNE250SMA-QUAD-MSTR and MNE250SMA-SLAVEs DC wiring shown here. Parts sold separately. 23 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1 R E V : A...
Page 24 CRITICAL LOADS TAKE IT ON FAITH THAT THEY ARE ALL PROPERLY SUBPANEL CONNECTED Typical complete quad stack system. MNE250SMA-QUAD-MSTR and MNE250SMA-SLAVEs AC wiring shown here. Parts sold separately. 24 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1...
Page 25 SMA E-Panel installation manual SMA DUAL SUNNY ISLAND OFF GRID HYBRID BATTERY / GENERATOR OR GRID CONNECTED UPS SYSTEM DRAWN BY T. BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY INVERTER 1 INVERTER 2 CARPENTER GROUND GROUND POSITIVE NEGATIVE POSITIVE NEGATIVE 1/31/13 MASTER SLAVE SUNNY SUNNY ISLAND...
Page 26 400ah 400ah 400ah INSTALLED IN THE FIELD Typical complete off grid system with an MNE250SMA-OG/AC DM. an MNE250SMA-SLAVE and two Classic charge controllers. Parts sold separately. 26 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1...
Page 27 ARE ALL PROPERLY CONNECTED 400ah 400ah 400ah 400ah Typical complete dual AC coupled system. With an MNE250SMA-OG/AC DM. an MNE250SMA- SLAVE and two Classic charge controllers. Parts sold separately. 27 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1...
Page 28 AT TOP OF E-PANEL FOR CLARITY MIDNITE SOLAR 1000 AMP BATTERY COMBINER / DISTRIBUTION BOX Typical complete three phase system with MNE250SMA-3PH Master, Two MNE250SMA-SLAVEs and a MidNite Battery Combiner. Parts sold separately. 28 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1...
Page 29 BATTERY NEGATIVE BATTERY POSITIVE MIDNITE SOLAR 1000 AMP BATTERY COMBINER / DISTRIBUTION BOX Typical complete three phase system with MNE250SMA-3PH Master, Two MNE250SMA-SLAVEs and an MidNite Battery Combiner. Parts sold separately. 29 | P a g e 1 0 - 2 3 4 - 1...
Page 30 BATTERY POSITIVE MIDNITE SOLAR 1000 AMP BATTERY COMBINER / DISTRIBUTION BOX Typical complete three phase system with MNE250SMA-3PH Master, Two MNE250SMA-SLAVEs and an MidNite Battery Combiner. Parts sold separately. Torque for electrical connections on all E-Panels Torque small busbar screws to 20-30 IN-LBS (2.3NM) Torque large busbar screws to 45 IN-LBS (5.1 NM)
Page 31: Warnings
SMA E-Panel installation manual Classic Charge Controller - Optional accessory The Classic and Classic Lite MPPT Charge Controllers helps you get the most from your power source as well as providing ground fault and arc fault protection. A Quad system may have up to seven Classic Charge Controllers.
Page 32: Wiring
SMA E-Panel installation manual Negatives DC input from Solar/Wind/Hydro Regulated DC output To E-Panel (Common) Ethernet connection USB connection Chassis ground Battery temperature sensor Conduit nipple Classic Wiring compartment Above: Basic wiring connections to the Classic. When selecting wire and breakers for the Classic (or any device) remember that the breakers are there to protect the wiring, not the equipment.
Page 33 Above: a slave unit with two Classics. Other wiring removed to show charge controller wiring. Each Classic requires an input and an output breaker. Breakers are available from MidNite Solar in Dinrail style up to 63 Amps / 150 Vdc and in panel mount up to 100 Amps / 300 Vdc.
Page 34: Wiring Diagrams
SMA E-Panel installation manual Generic charge controller Single DC-GFP Wiring. The MidNite Solar Classic charge controller has the DC-GFP plus arc detection built in and does not require an external DC-GFP 63 amp din rail DC-GFP wired with a 80 amp panel mount DC-GFP ready 63 amp PV disconnect and a 63 amp for the high current wires.
Page 35: Battery Combiner
Array plus output before the PV disconnect just as well. Make sure that the polarity of all DC dinrail breakers is correct. MidNite Solar panel mount breakers are not polarity sensitive. The din rail mount breakers have a + sign at the bottom terminal. The + connection needs to be connected to the most positive point in the circuit.
Page 36: Whiz Bang Jr
SMA E-Panel installation manual Whiz Bang Jr. Optional Accessory The Whiz Bang Jr. attaches to a 500 Amp / 50 mv shunt to send real time information to the Classic Charge Controller. Installation is a simple one wire connection. The Classic can use this information along with its internal measurements to get a clearer picture of how much power is actually going into and out of the batteries.
Page 37 SMA E-Panel installation manual MNX240 Autoformer Continued: The step-down transformer configuration will be the most common as it steps power down from the 240VAC inverter to make it accessible and useful for the 120VAC Sunny Island. In this configuration, L1 and L2 (240VAC) power is applied to the 25Amp breakers of the MNX-240 Autotransformer.
Page 38 SMA E-Panel installation manual MNX240 Autoformer Continued: Autoformer wire routing when used with the Tall Backplate. Knockout Location Knockout Location The wiring from the E-Panel to the Autoformer and back is routed behind the Tall Backplate. A knockout is provided in the E-Panel and in the AutoFormer with clearance holes in the Tall Backplate to allow the wiring between E-Panel and AutoFormer to be out of sight and out of the way.
Page 39 SMA E-Panel installation manual Optional accessory MNBE8D2x2 Battery Box: Left: Two MNBE8D2X2 shown stacked (Larry not included) Description: NEW PRODUCT! Battery enclosure holds 4 8D batteries Battery Enclosure with locking door and one shelf. Outdoor 3R rain type design. Powder coated aluminum and stainless steel construction. Holds four 8D batteries.
Page 40 MidNite Solar Battery Disconnect Module – MNBDM (Optional) The Midnite Solar Battery Disconnect Module (MNBDM) is an optional circuit board which can be installed in most MidNite Solar E-Panels. It is used in conjunction with one or more MNBH Disconnect switches and MidNite Solar disconnecting combiners to remotely shutdown the system in emergencies.
Page 41 • Nema 3R UV resistant enclosure • Able to disconnect multiple PV Disco Arcfault Combiners • Firefighter Approved • 600V Cat 5 USE-2 90° cable available from Midnite Solar MNBirdhouse Emergency shut-off System connections for the MNBDM and Birdhouse (sold separately)
Page 42: Mnbdm Battery Disconnect Module
Below are some of the new requirements for NEC 2014. In short, there is a requirement for a “Rapid Shutdown”. This is accomplished nicely with the MidNite Solar Birdhouse, Disco Combiners and MNBDM Battery Disconnect Module (located in the E-Panel).
Page 43: Appendix
SMA E-Panel installation manual Appendix A Wire size based on breaker size @75°C. Breaker Size AWG Wire Size Wire Size mm 10 Amp 16 AWG 1.31 mm 15 Amp 14 AWG 2.08 mm 20 Amp 12 AWG 3.31 mm 30 Amp 10 AWG 5.26 mm 40 Amp...
Page 44: E-Panel Descriptions
MNXFLEX4/0-R60" - 60 inch 4/0 Black UL Listed Cobra X-Flex battery cable with tin plated lugs and glue filled Red heat shrink. Description: The MNE250SMA-AC-SINGLE master includes the Manual input/output bypass system along with separate AC input and output breakers. The Automatic Grid tie Bypass relay is installed as well.
Page 45 SMA E-Panel installation manual MNE250SMA-OG Single Master E-Panel in a Single 6KW Sunny Island inverter system. The system is for off-grid, battery backup grid tie or battery backup. This E-Panel includes a 60 amp AC Output/Bypass system, separate AC input and output breakers for...
Page 46 SMA E-Panel installation manual MNE250SMA-OG/AC DM Master E-Panel for a dual off-grid, AC Coupled or battery backup 120/240 VAC Sunny Island inverter system Comes with AC output/bypass assembly and independent AC input and output breakers, 500A/50mV shunt, neutral and AC IN and OUT terminal busbars, 250A relay trip battery breaker with inverter cables, AC wiring to inverter.
Page 47 SMA E-Panel installation manual MNE250SMA-Quad Mstr Master E-Panel for an 18-24KW quad Sunny Island inverter system. The quad system can be off-grid, AC coupled, battery backup grid tie or battery backup. Three Slave E-Panels and three additional Sunny Island inverters required.
Page 48 SMA E-Panel installation manual MNE250SMA-3PH Master Master E-Panel in a 3 phase system. Two slaves are also required for 3 phase. The 3 phase master includes the 3 phase input/output bypass system. This E-Panel can be used in conjunction with a Sunny Island inverter as part of a 3 phase off- grid, battery backup or AC Coupled system.
Page 49 SMA E-Panel installation manual MNE250SMA-SLAVE Companion E-Panel for dual, triple and quad Sunny Island inverter systems. The Slave E- Panel is the same part number for all multiple SMA E-Panel systems regardless of off-grid, AC coupled, battery backup, 3 phase or quad.
Page 50: Slave Unit
If installing a bus bar for the first time in any location use MNE250SMA-SLAVE #10 threadforming screws. To exchange MNSBB Bus Bar mounts for another color. First remove any wires that will be replaced with the new color.
Page 51 SMA E-Panel installation manual Gently pry back ear of Remove cover by Starting with a slave mounting block and push unit gently rocking up on terminal block from below Terminal block is Remove screws in mounting Finish removing the removed. Set aside blocks to remove mounting terminal block blocks.
Page 52: Warranty
MidNite Solar Power electronics, sheet metal enclosures and accessories MidNite Solar Inc. warrants to the original customer that its products shall be free from defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty will be valid for a period of five (5) years for all products except the MNKID Charge Controller which will be two (2) years.