Installing Lightning Arrestors; Inverter Warning Label; Figure 2-16, Warning Label - Magnum Energy Sensata MagnaSine Owner's Manual

Installation
2.5

Installing Lightning Arrestors

Unfortunately, in Renewable Energy (RE) systems where components are wired to outdoor electrical
systems, there is a greater chance of damage to these components from lightning strikes. Lightning
does not have to strike directly to cause damage, it can be far away and still induce power surges
or spikes in the wires of the RE system. Since the RE wires are connected to the conductors coming
into the house the inverters, charge controllers, batteries, and other components in the house or
power shed are easily susceptible to damage.
The best line of defense against these high voltage surges—caused by lightning—is to ensure you
have proper system grounding. Proper grounding attempts to divert lightning surges to earth,
instead of going through your electrical components. However, for additional protection in lightning-
prone areas or where good grounding is not feasible, install lightning arrestors (also known as high
voltage surge arrestors) on the DC and AC circuits of your renewable energy system. Lightning
arrestors are devices that respond to voltage variations instantaneously, effectively intercepting
potentially damaging spikes and surges and reducing them to acceptable power levels to protect
electrical equipment. Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs), Silicone Oxide Varistors (SOVs), and Zinc
Oxide Non-linear Resistors (ZNRs) are three types of lightning/surge arrestors.
Install the lightning arrestors as close as possible to the equipment you are trying to protect.
Install additional lightning protection (secondary lightning arrestor) if equipment is more than 60
feet away from where the primary lightning arrestor is connected.
Info: For more information on lightning protection in RE systems, review "Protection
Against the Effects of Lightning on Standalone Photovoltaic Systems – Common
Practices" at www.iea-pvps.org.
2.6

Inverter Warning Label

A warning label is provided (Figure 2-16) to inform all personnel that an inverter is installed in
your electrical system. Affi x this label in a clearly visible location at the electrical panel that is
being powered by the inverter. Posting of this warning label is necessary because it might be
falsely assumed that the panel is no longer "hot" after the AC power has been shut off, when in
fact power may actually still be available due to the inverter automatically powering the panel.
T h is e le c tric a l s y s te m is e q u ip p e d w ith a n A u to m a tic G e n e ra to r
S ta rtin g (A G S ) d e v ic e a n d /o r a n in v e rte r. D is c o n n e c t a ll A C a n d
D C p o w e r to th e A G S a n d /o r in v e rte r b e fo re p e rfo rm in g a n y
s e rv ic e to th e e le c tric a l s y s te m . F a ilu re to d o s o c a n re s u lt in
s h o c k c a u s in g s e rio u s in ju ry o r d e a th .
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WARNING
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD

Figure 2-16, Warning Label

PN: 62-0002 Rev B
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