CanadianSolar CSI SERIES User manual

Canada – Global Headquarters
Canadian Solar Inc.
545 Speedvale Avenue West, Guelph, Ontario, N1K 1E6
P [phone]
F [phone]
Sales Inquiries Email: [e-mail]
Customer Support Email: [e-mail]
This manual is subject to change without prior notification. Copyright is reserved.
Duplication of any part of this issue is prohibited without written permission.
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Canadian Solar EMEA GmbH
LandsbergerStraße 94, 80339 Munich, Germany
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Sales Inquiries Email: [e-mail]
Customer Support Email: [e-mail]
Australia
Canadian Solar MSS (Australia) Pty Ltd
44 Stephenson St, Cremorne VIC 3121, Australia
P +61 ( 3 ) 860 918 44
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Customer Support Email: [e-mail]
South East Asia
101 Thompson Road #15-03 United Square, Singapore 307591
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Sales Inquires Email: [e-mail]
Customer Support Email: [e-mail]
Latin America
Canadian Solar Brazil
Avenida Roque Petroni Junior, 999, 4º andar Vila Gertrudes,
São Paulo, Brasil,CEP 04707-910
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Customer Support Email: [e-mail]
CSI SERIES GRID-TIED PV Inverter (12-20)kW
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
VERSION 1.0 (2020.4)

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1. Introduction
2. Safety Instructions
2.1 Safety Symbols
2.2 General Safety Instructions
2.3 Notice For Use
3. Overview
3.1 Front Panel Display
3.2 LED Status Indicator Lights
3.3 Keypad
3.4 LCD
5. Installation
5.1 Select Location for the Inverter
5.2 Mounting the Inverter
5.3 Electrical Connections
7. Operation
6. Start & Stop
6.1 Start the Inverter
6.2 Stop the Inverter
1.1 Product Description
1.2 Packaging
7.2 Information
7.1 Main Menu
4. Product handing and storage
4.1 Product handling
4.2 Product Storage
7.3 Settings
7.4 Advanced Info.
7.5 Advanced Settings
8. Maintenance
9. Troubleshooting
10. Specifications
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Contents

1.1 Product Description
.3..2.
LED lights
LCD display
4 buttons
Figure 1.1 Front view
Figure 1.2 Bottom view
Inverter x1 Back plate x1
1.2 Packaging
When you receive the inverter, please ensure that all the parts listed below are included:
Fastening screw x2
DC connector x4
User manual x1
1. Introduction 1. Introduction
If anything is missing, please contact your local Canadian Solar distributor.
Canadian Solar three phase inverters integrate DRM and backflow power control function,
that could suitable for smart grid requirement.
This manual covers the three phase inverter model listed below:
CSI-12K-T400GL01-E, CSI-15K-T400GL01-E, CSI-17K-T400GL01-E,
CSI-20K-T400GL01-E
AC connector x1
WiFi/GPRS Stickx1
（Optional）
DRM
(For UK and Belgium)
DC Switch
(optional)
DC input AC output
RS485 CT/Meter
RJ45 connector x1
(For UK and Belgium)
CSI SERIES GRID-TIED PV Inverter (12-20)kW
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
VERSION 1.0 (2020.4)

.5..4.
2. Safety Instructions 2. Safety Instructions
2.1 Safety Symbols
Safety symbols used in this manual, which highlight potential safety risks and important
safety information, are listed as follows:
2.2 General Safety Instructions
CAUTION:
Risk of electric shock from energy stored in capacitors of the Inverter.
Do not remove cover for 5 minutes after disconnecting all power sources
(service technician only). Warranty may be voided if the cover is removed
without unauthorized.
CAUTION:
The surface temperature of the inverter can exceed 75℃ (167F).
To avoid risk of burns, DO NOT touch the surface when inverter is operating.
The inverter must be installed out of reach of children.
2.3 Notice For Use
CAUTION:
CAUTION, RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK symbol indicates important safety
instructions, which if not correctly followed, could result in electric shock.
CAUTION:
CAUTION, HOT SURFACE symbol indicates safety instructions, which if not
correctly followed, could result in burns.
NOTE:
NOTE symbol indicates important safety instructions, which if not correctly
followed, could result in some damage or the destruction of the inverter.
WARNING:
WARNING symbol indicates important safety instructions, which if not
correctly followed, could result in serious injury or death.
WARNING:
Electrical installations must be done in accordance with the local and national
electrical safety standards.
WARNING:
Please don’t connect PV array positive(+) or negative(-) to ground, it could
cause serious damage to the inverter.
CAUTION:
The PV array (Solar panels) supplies a DC voltage when they are exposed to
sunlight.
WARNING:
To reduce the risk of fire, over-current protective devices (OCPD) are
required for circuits connected to the Inverter.
The DC OCPD shall be installed per local requirements. All photovoltaic
source and output circuit conductors shall have disconnects that comply
with the NEC Article 690, Part II. All Canadian Solar three phase inverters
feature an integrated DC switch.
CAUTION:
Risk of electric shock. Do not remove cover. There is no user serviceable
parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified and accredited service technicians.
The inverter has been constructed according to the applicable safety and technical
guidelines. Use the inverter in installations that meet the following specifications only:
1. Permanent installation is required.
2. The electrical installation must meet all the applicable regulations and standards.
3. The inverter must be installed according to the instructions stated in this manual.
4. The inverter must be installed according to the correct technical specifications.
5. To startup the inverter, the Grid Supply Main Switch (AC) must be switched on, before
the solar panel's DC isolator shall be switched on. To stop the inverter, the Grid Supply
Main Switch (AC) must be switched off before the solar panel's DC isolator shall be
switched off.

.6.
Light
1
2
3
POWER
OPERATION
ALARM
3. Overview
3.1 Front Panel Display
3.2 LED Status Indicator Lights
Status
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
FLASHING
Description
The inverter can detect DC power.
No DC power or low DC power.
The inverter is operating properly.
The inverter has stopped to supply power.
The inverter is initializing.
Alarm or fault condition is detected.
Figure 3.1 Front Panel Display
Table 3.1 Status Indicator Lights
3.3 Keypad
3.4 LCD
There are four keys in the front panel of the Inverter(from left to right):
ESC, UP, DOWN and ENTER keys. The keypad is used for:
Scrolling through the displayed options (the UP and DOWN keys);
Access to modify the adjustable settings (the ESC and ENTER keys).
The two-line Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is located on the front panel of the Inverter,
which shows the following information:
Inverter operation status and data; Service messages for operator;
Alarm messages and fault indications.
4.1 Product handling
Please review the instruction below for handling the inverter:
1 The red circles below denote cutouts on the product package.
Push in the cutouts to form handles for moving the inverter (see Figure 4.1).
3
Figure 4.1 move the inverter
2.Open the carton, then handle both sides of inverter through the area denoted dotted line.
( see figure 4.2).
4. Product handing and storage
The inverter is operating without fault or alarm.
.7.
Figure 4.2 Inverter handles

.9..8.
4.2 Product Storage 5. Installation4. Product handing and storage
Storage temperature must be between -40℃ and 70℃ and the humidity should be
between 0 and 100% non-condensing.
Stacknomorethanthree(3)invertershigh.
If the inverter is not to be installed immediately, storage instructions and environmental
conditions are below:
Use the original box to repackage the inverter, seal with adhesive tape with the
desiccant inside the box.
Store the inverter(s) in a clean and dry place, free of dust and dirt.
Keep box(es) away from corrosive materials to avoid damage to the inverter enclosure.
Inspect packaging regularly. If packaging is damaged(wet, pest damage, etc),
repackage the inverter immediately.
Store the inverter(s) on a flat, hard surface - not inclined or upside down.
After long-term storage, the inverter needs to be fully examined and tested by qualified
service or technical personnel before using.
Restarting after a long period of non-use requires the equipment to be inspected
and, in some cases, the removal of oxidation and dust that has settled inside the
equipment will be required.
To select a location for the inverter, the following criteria should be considered:
Do not install in small closed spaces where air cannot circulate freely. To avoid
overheating, always make sure the flow of air around the inverter is not blocked.
Exposure to direct sunlight will increase the operational temperature of the inverter and
may cause output power limiting. Canadian Solar recommends inverter installed to avoid
direct sunlight or raining.
To avoid over heating ambient air temperature must be considered when choosing the
inverter installation location. Canadian Solar recommends using a sun shade minimizing
direct sunlight when the ambient air temperature around the unit exceeds 104°F/40°C.
5.1 Select a Location for the Inverter
Figure 5.1 Recommended Installation locations
WARNING: Risk of fire
Despite careful construction, electrical devices can cause fires.
Do not install the inverter in areas containing highly flammable materials or
gases.
Do not install the inverter in potentially explosive atmospheres.
NOTE:
Nothing should be stored on or placed against the inverter.

.11..10.
The visibility of LED status indicator lights and LCD should be considered.
Install vertically (+/- 5°) or tilted backward (<=15°).
Don't mount inverter on the tilted forward wall.
Don't mount inverter on the horizontal.
5.2 Mounting the Inverter
Dimensions of mounting bracket:
Figure 5.3 Inverter wall mounting
Refer to figure 5.4 and figure 5.5. Inverter shall be mounted vertically.
The steps to mount the inverter are listed below.
1. Refer to Figure 5.4, the holes for expansion bolt based on the hole diameter of bracket
(ST6.3*60 cross recessed hexagon head tapping screws, HJ0108 10*50mm fished
expandable tubular), using the percussion drilling with the 10mm drill need to stay
vertically on the wall.And the drill hole must be vertically on the wall.
And all drill holes' depth is 60mm.
Bracket
Suitable fixing screws
2. Make sure the bracket is horizontal. And the mounting holes (in Figure 5.4) are marked
correctly. Drill the holes into wall at your marks.
3. Use the suitable expansion screws to fix the bracket on the wall.
Figure 5.4 Inverter wall mounting
5. Installation5. Installation
≤15°
Vertical Backward
√ √
Inverted
× ×
Temperature of inverter heat sinker might 167℉/75℃.
Inverter is designed for working extreme environment, operation temperature range:
-15℉/25℃~149℉/65℃.
When 1 or more inverters are installed in one location, a minimum 500mm clearance should
be kept between each inverter or other object. The bottom of the inverter should be 500mm
clearance to the ground.
Figure 5.2 Inverter Mounting clearance
500mm
500mm
500mm
1000mm
500mm

+
-
DC 1
DC 2
DC SWITCH
COM
GRID
.12. .13.
Locking screws
Figure 5.5 Install the inverter
Figure 5.6 Fixed the inverter
WARNING:
The inverter must be mounted vertically.
5. Anti-theft lock mount(optional)
Anti-theft lock( User-supplied) function is that inverter is fixed in bracket in case theft.
The lock is selected by 5mm(the keyhole diameter), and the lock of stainless steel is
preferred.
Anti-theft lock
Figure 5.7 Install security lock
5.3 Electrical Connections
Inverter designs quick-connect terminal, so top cover needn't open during electrical
connection. The sign meaning located the bottom of inverter, as shown below in table 5.1.
All electrical connections are suit for the local or national standard.
Positive DC input terminal
Negative DC input terminal
Connecting terminal of the Grid
Switch of DC input terminals
RJ45 and terminal block for RS485 communication port
DC input terminal
DC input terminal
Table 5.1 Electrical connection symbols
5. Installation5. Installation
The electrical connection of the inverter must follow the steps listed below:
1. Switch the Grid Supply Main Switch (AC) OFF.
2. Switch the DC Isolator OFF.
3. Assemble PV input connector to the Inverter.
4. Lift the inverter and hang it on the backet, and fixing both sides of inverter with
locking screws (accessories).

A
B
D
C
Grounding screw
.14. .15.
5. Installation5. Installation
2) Prepare OT terminals: M6.
Canadian Solar recommends 2 ground protection methods: Through grid terminal connection
and external heat sink connection.
If AC terminal is used to connect ground, please refer to the contents of 5.3.3.
If the heat sink is used to connect the ground, please follow the steps below:
1) Prepare the grounding cable: recommend to use the ≥ 6mm² outdoor
copper-core cable.
Important:
3) Strip the ground cable insulation to a suitable length(see Figure 5.8).
Figure 5.8 suitable length
Important:
4) Insert the stripped wire into the OT terminal crimping area and use the hydraulic
clamp to crimp the terminal to the wire (see Figure 5.9).
Figure 5.9 strip wire
Important:
For multiple inverters in parallel , all inverters should be connected to the
same ground point to eliminate the possibility of a voltage potential existing
between inverter grounds.
B (insulation stripping length) is 2mm~3mm longer than A (OT cable
terminal crimping area) 2mm~3mm.
After crimping the terminal to the wire, inspect the connection to ensure the
terminal is solidly crimped to the wire.
5) Remove the screw from the heat sink ground point.
Figure 5.10 Fixed cable
For improving anti-corrosion performance,
after ground cable installed, apply silicone or paint is preferred to protect.
Important:
5.3.1 Grounding
6) Connect the grounding cable to the grounding point on the heat sink,and tighten the
grounding screw, Torque is 3Nm(see figure 5.10).

+
-
4.0~6.0 4.0（12AWG）
（12~10AWG）
.17..16.
5. Installation5. Installation
Before connecting inverter, please make sure the PV array open circuit
voltage is within the limit of the inverter.
Before connection, please make sure the polarity of the output voltage of
PV array matches the“DC+”and“DC-”symbols.
Before connecting inverter, please make sure the PV array open circuit
voltage is within the limit of the inverter.
Figure 5.11 DC+ Connector Figure 5.12 DC- Connector
Please use approved DC cable for PV system.
Cable type
Cross section（mm²）
Range
Industry generic PV cable
（model:PV1-F）
Recommended value
Figure 5.13 Disassemble the Connector Cap nut Figure 5.14 Insert the Wire into the
Connector Cap nut and contact pin
Figure 5.15 Crimp the contact pin to the wire Figure 5.16 Connector with Cap nut Screwed on
Figure 5.17 Multimeter measurement Figure 5.18 Connect the DC
Connectors to the Inverter
The steps to assemble the DC connectors are listed as follows:
1. Strip off the DC wire for about 7mm, Disassemble the connector cap nut. (see Figure 5.13)
3. Crimp the contact pin to the wire using a proper wire crimper. (see Figure 5.15)
2. Insert the wire into the connector cap nut and contact pin. (see Figure 5.14)
4. Insert metal connector into top of connector, and tighten nut with torque 2.5-3 Nm
(see figure 5.16).
Crimping plier
5. Measure PV voltage of DC input with multimeter, verify DC input cable polar
(see figure 5.17), and ensure each string of PV voltage in range of inverter operation.
Connect DC connector with inverter until hearing a slight clicking sound indicates
connection succeed. (see figure 5.18)
5.3.2 Connect PV side of inverter
Caution:
If DC inputs are accidently reversely connected or inverter is faulty or not
working properly, it is NOT allowed to turn off the DC switch as it will damage
the inverter and even leads to a fire disaster.
The correct actions are:
*Use a clip-on ammeter to measure the DC string current.
*If it is above 0.5A, please wait for the solar irradiance reduces until the
current decreases to below 0.5A.
*Only after the current is below 0.5A, you are allowed to turn off the DC
switches and disconnect the PV strings.
Please note that any damages due to wrong operations are not covered in
the device warranty.