ALENCON GARD-1000-V2.2 User manual

GROUND AND ARC RAPID DISCONNECT (GARD)
A unique device for detecting ground and arc faults in PV arrays and
rapidly disconnecting the impacted PV strings.
INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL
FOR USE WITH THE GARD V2.2
PM006 Revision 7
Alencon Systems LLC
330 Warminster Rd., Suite 380 | Hatboro, PA 19040 | USA
© 2009-2019 by Alencon Systems LLC

GARD – Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual
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This document is the confidential and proprietary information of Alencon Systems LLC. No part of
this document may be photocopied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means whether electronic, mechanical, or otherwise without prior written
permission. Alencon Systems LLC reserves the right to change details in this publication without
notice.
Copyright Information: Any product names listed in this manual that are not registered
trademarks of Alencon Systems LLC and/or organization names mentioned may be trademarks
and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Publication Number: PM006
Date and Revision
Revision ECO Date Author Approval Comment
0 8569 06/26/2019 Oleg Fishman PS Original Manual
1 8570 07/23/2019 Prahalad
Shivshankaran
MM Formatting, content and
installation information
2 8571 01/15/2020 Prahalad
Shivshankaran
ZD Adding more relevant
information to the manual
3 8572 3/13/2020 Zach Dereli PS Changes required for the
Certification
4 8573 Zach Dereli PS Changes required for the
Certification
5 8574 06/19/2020 Zach Dereli PS Changes required for the
Certification
6 8575 02/01/2022 Prahalad
Shivshankaran
PS Added Arc Detection
material into the manual.
7 8576 08/12/2022 Jacob Faber HF Updated for GARD V2.2

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Table of Contents
1 General Information ................................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Glossary .......................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Product Warranty ............................................................................................................ 5
1.4 Technical Support and Assistance .................................................................................. 6
1.5 Warnings, Cautions and Notes ....................................................................................... 6
1.6 Packing List .................................................................................................................... 7
1.7 Ordering Information ....................................................................................................... 7
2 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................ 8
3 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 10
3.1 PV Safety ...................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Grounding ..................................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Arc Faults ...................................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Serial arcing .................................................................................................................. 11
3.5 Parallel arcing ............................................................................................................... 11
4 Detect and Isolate Ground and Arc Faults in Your PV Array ................................................ 12
4.1 The Ground & Arc Rapid Disconnect Unit (GARD) ....................................................... 12
4.2 Unique Features & Benefits of the Alencon GARD ....................................................... 12
4.3 GARD Specifications .................................................................................................... 13
4.4 GARD Functionality and Operation ............................................................................... 14
Functionality .............................................................................................................. 14
Instructions when Ground Fault is Detected .............................................................. 14
Instructions when ARC Fault is Detected .................................................................. 15
Principle of Operation ................................................................................................ 15
4.5 GARD Hardware ........................................................................................................... 18
5 Firmware............................................................................................................................... 19
5.1 GARD State Machine.................................................................................................... 19
6 Communication ..................................................................................................................... 21
7 GARD Installation ................................................................................................................. 21
7.1 Understanding GARD Hardware ................................................................................... 21
7.2 Communication Ports.................................................................................................... 22
7.3 GARD Mounting ............................................................................................................ 23
7.4 Cable Terminations ....................................................................................................... 24
GARD + SPOT .......................................................................................................... 25
External Fusing and Disconnects .............................................................................. 26
8 Interfacing with the GARD .................................................................................................... 27
8.1 Unit Power .................................................................................................................... 27
8.2 Control System ............................................................................................................. 27
9 Further information ............................................................................................................... 27

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Table of Figures
FIGURE 1: THE GARD UNIT ............................................................................................................. 7
FIGURE 2: THE GRAPHIC ABOVE INDICATES THAT THE GARD IS A GROUNDING CONDUCTOR. .................. 8
FIGURE 3: THE GRAPHIC ABOVE INDICATES THAT THE GARD ACTS AS A DIRECT CURRENT SUPPLY. ........ 8
FIGURE 4: GROUNDING SCHEMES ................................................................................................... 10
FIGURE 5: ARCING ......................................................................................................................... 11
FIGURE 6: AFD PCB ..................................................................................................................... 16
FIGURE 7: SYSTEM NOISE SIGNATURE DURING AN ARC EVENT ............................................................ 17
FIGURE 8 : PV SPOT INVERTER SYSTEM NOISE SIGNATURE ....................................................... 17
FIGURE 9: GLID/AFD STATE MACHINE ............................................................................................ 20
FIGURE 10: EMERGENCY SWITCH ................................................................................................... 21
FIGURE 11: RESET SWITCH ............................................................................................................ 21
FIGURE 12: GARD BOTTOM VIEW ................................................................................................... 22
FIGURE 13: REMOTE E-STOP ........................................................................................................ 23
FIGURE 14: GARD PRIOR TO MOUNTING ON THE UNISTRUT .............................................................. 24
FIGURE 15: AMPHENOL TERMINATIONS ON GARD ........................................................................... 25
FIGURE 16: GARD TO SPOT CONNECTOR ...................................................................................... 26

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1 General Information
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of material provided in this document at the
time of release. Items are subject to continuous development and improvements. All
specifications and descriptions are subject to change without notice.
1.1 Purpose
This manual provides information about installing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting the
Alencon’s Ground Rapid Disconnect Unit.
Who Should Read this Manual?
This manual should be read by anyone who needs to:
- Understand the product
- Plan the installation
- Install the product
- Commission the product
- Operate the product
- Maintain the product,
1.2 Glossary
Word(s)/Acronyms
Definition
GARD
Ground Rapid Disconnect
BOSS
Bi
-
directional Optimizer for Storage Systems
SPOT
String Power Optimizer and Transmitter
ACE Alencon Communication Environment – a communication system
containing hardware and software elements provided by Alencon to
control power conversion equipment
PODD Site / HUB Alencon Communication, Monitoring and Control Software
AFD Arc Fault Detector

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1.3 Product Warranty
Alencon Systems warrants to you, the original purchaser, that each of its products will be free from
defects in materials and workmanship for three years from the date of purchase. Extended
warranty of up to 10 years are also available for purchase.
This warranty does not apply to any products which have been repaired or altered by persons
other than repair personnel authorized by Alencon System, or which have been subject to misuse,
abuse, accident or improper installation. This warranty does not cover the repair or replacement
of any goods which fail as a result of damage in transit, misuse, neglect, accident, Act of God,
abuse, improper handling, misapplication, modification, improper storage, excessive stress, faulty
or improper installation, testing or repair, negligent maintenance or failure to comply with the
written instructions for installation, testing, use or maintenance (if any) provided by Alencon
Systems. Alencon Systems assumes no liability under the terms of this warranty as a consequence
of such events.
Because of Alencon Systems’ high quality-control standards and rigorous testing, most of our
customers never need to use our warranty service. If an Alencon Systems product is defective, it
will be repaired or replaced at no charge during the warranty period. For out-of-warranty repairs,
you will be billed according to the cost of replacement materials, service time and freight. Please
consult Alencon Systems for more details. If you think you have a defective product, follow these
steps:
1. Collect all the information about the problem encountered. (For example, issues you are
encountering in your PV array or battery system) Note anything abnormal when the problem
occurs.
2. Call Alencon Systems or your licensed Alencon Systems dealer and describe the problem.
Please have your manual, product, and any helpful information readily available.
3. If your product is diagnosed as defective, obtain an RMA (return merchandise authorization)
number from your Alencon Systems. This allows us to process your return more quickly.
4. Carefully pack the defective product (preferably in the original packaging material it was
shipped in), a fully-completed Repair and Replacement Order Card and a photocopy proof
of purchase date (such as your sales receipt) in a shippable container. A product returned
without proof of the purchase date is not eligible for warranty service.
5. Write the RMA number

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1.4 Technical Support and Assistance
1. Visit the Alencon Systems web site at www.alenconsystems.com where you can find the
latest information about the product.
2. Contact your distributor, sales representative, or Alencon Systems' customer service center
for technical support if you need additional assistance. Please have the following
information ready before you call:
– Product name, LIN and serial number (see section 6.5 for more information the location
of the LIN and serial number)
– Description of your peripheral attachments including fusing and cables
1.5 Warnings, Cautions and Notes
Warning! Warnings indicate conditions, which if not observed, can cause
personal injury!
Caution! Cautions are included to help you avoid damaging hardware or
losing data.
Note! Notes provide optional additional information.

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1.6 Packing List
Before installation, please ensure the following items have been shipped:
 Correct # of GARD Units specified for your plant with appropriate mounting hardware
Figure 1: The GARD Unit
1.7 Ordering Information
Model Number Description
Model Number Description
GARD–1000–V2.2 Ground Rapid Disconnect Unit. 4 INPUT/OUTPUT

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2 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING! SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS– This manual contains important
instructions for use with the GARD that shall be followed during
installation and maintenance of these devices.
Figure 2: The graphic above indicates that the GARD is a grounding conductor.
Figure 3: The graphic above indicates that the GARD acts as a direct current supply.
Installation of this equipment must be performed by an authorized electrician in accordance
with the local and NEC ANSI/NFPA 70 and OSHA requirements. Installation shall be in
accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I when installed in Canada.
1. Before installing and using the GARD, read all instructions presented in this manual and the
cautionary markings shown on the GARD's enclosure.
2. The GARD contains no user-serviceable parts. For service and maintenance, the GARD
should be returned to Alencon Systems LLC or a certified Alencon Systems service center.
3. During operation, hazardous voltages and currents may be present. Only authorized and
qualified personnel should perform servicing/installation.
4. The metallic enclosure surface may become hot during certain operation circumstances.
5. Exposed PV strings to sunlight represent a shock hazard at the PV wires and exposed
terminals. Cover the PV modules with dark material when performing the installation in order
to reduce the risk of shock during the process. Test any wire or terminal for the voltage before
touching them.
6. Use only accessories recommended or approved by the manufacturer.

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7. Ensure that wiring is in good conditions and that all wiring is sized accordingly. Ignoring to do
so may result in a risk of fire.
8. PV modules produce electrical energy when exposed to light and thus can create an electrical
shock hazard. Wiring of the PV modules should only be performed by qualified personnel.
9. Always have GARD manual in hand.
WARNING! GARD is NOT a field serviceable product. Please contact
Alencon Systems for any issues with the product.