SMA SUNNY BOY 3800 User manual

PV Inverters
SUNNY BOY 3300 / 3800
Installation Guide
SB33_38-IEN083330 | IME-SB3800 | Version 3.0 EN

SMA Solar Technology AG Table of Contents
Installation Guide SB33_38-IEN083330 3
Table of Contents
1 Notes on this Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1 Validity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.2 Target Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.3 Storage of the Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.4 Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.5 Symbols Used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.1 Appropriate Usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 Safety Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Unpacking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1 Packing List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2 Check for Transport Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.3 Identification of the Sunny Boy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1 Selection of the Mounting Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.1 Dimensions and Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.2 Ambient Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.3 Minimum Clearances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.1.4 Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.2 Mounting instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5 Electrical Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.1 Overview of the Connection Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.2 Connection to the Public Grid (AC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.3 Solar generator connection (DC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Table of Contents SMA Solar Technology AG
4SB33_38-IEN083330 Installation Guide
5.4 Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.4.1 Line-conducted Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.4.2 Wireless Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6 Commissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
6.1 Display Language and LED Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.1.1 Setting the Display Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.1.2 LED Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
7 Opening and Closing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.1 Opening the Sunny Boy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.2 Closing the Sunny Boy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
8 Maintenance and Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
8.1 Checking Heat Dissipation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
8.1.1 Cleaning the Fan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
8.1.2 Cleaning the Fan Gills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
8.1.3 Testing the Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
8.2 Inspection of the Electronic Solar Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
9 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
9.1 Checking the Varistors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
9.2 Ground fault monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
10 Decommissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
10.1 Disassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
10.2 Packaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
10.3 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
10.4 Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
11 Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
12 Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

SMA Solar Technology AG Notes on this Manual
Installation Guide SB33_38-IEN083330 5
1 Notes on this Manual
1.1 Validity
The manual describes how to install and commission SMA inverters of the types Sunny Boy 3300 and
Sunny Boy 3800.
This manual applies for the Sunny Boy 3300 firmware versions GRX33_2.85/2.79 and above and
for the Sunny Boy 3800 firmware version GRX38_2.85/2.79 and above. The firmware version is
shown in the display after starting the device.
1.2 Target Group
Only qualified electricians may install and commission Sunny Boy units.
1.3 Storage of the Manual
All manuals for the device and for the installed components must be stored in the immediate vicinity
of the device, and must be accessible at all times.
1.4 Additional Information
You will find further information on special topics such as designing a line circuit breaker or the
description of operating parameters in the download area at www.SMA.de/en.

Notes on this Manual SMA Solar Technology AG
6SB33_38-IEN083330 Installation Guide
1.5 Symbols Used
The following 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.
WARNING!
WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.
CAUTION!
CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or
moderate 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.

SMA Solar Technology AG Safety
Installation Guide SB33_38-IEN083330 7
2 Safety
2.1 Appropriate Usage
The Sunny Boy is a PV inverter, which converts the DC current of the PV generator to AC current and
feeds it into the public grid.
Principle of a Solar Power System with this Sunny Boy
The Sunny Boy may only be operated with PV generators (modules and cabling) of protection class
II. Do not connect any sources of energy other than PV modules to the Sunny Boy.
When planning the PV system, ensure that the values comply with the permitted operating range of
all components at all times. The free design program "Sunny Design"
(www.SMA.de/en/SunnyDesign) will assist you in this. The manufacturer of the PV modules must
have approved the modules for use with this Sunny Boy unit. You must also ensure that all measures
recommended by the module manufacturer for long-term maintenance of the module properties are
taken (see also Technical Information "Module Technology", in the download area of
www.SMA.de/en).
Do not use the Sunny Boy for purposes other than those described here. Alternative uses,
modifications to the Sunny Boy or the installation of components not expressly recommended or sold
by the manufacturer void the warranty claims and operating license.

Safety SMA Solar Technology AG
8SB33_38-IEN083330 Installation Guide
2.2 Safety Precautions
DANGER!
Lethal danger caused by high voltages in the Sunny Boy!
• All work on the Sunny Boy must be carried out by a qualified personnel.
CAUTION!
Danger of burn injuries due to hot housing parts!
• Do not touch the housing of the Sunny Boy during operation.
Grounding the PV generator
Comply with the local requirements for grounding the modules and the PV generator. SMA
Solar Technology recommends connecting and grounding the generator frame and other
electricity conducting surfaces in such a way that there is continuous conduction in order to
achieve maximum protection for systems and persons.

SMA Solar Technology AG Unpacking
Installation Guide SB33_38-IEN083330 9
3 Unpacking
3.1 Packing List
Object Quantity Description
A1Sunny Boy
B1Rear panel
C2 Handle cover
D1 Socket element
E1 Set of documents with explanations and certificates
F1 Electronic Solar Switch
G1 Jumper for communication / fan test
H2 Cylinder head screw and M6 contact disk
I5 Sealing plugs for rear panel (sealing)
K2 Cap for PV plug and PV socket
L2 User manual (Sunny Boy and Electronic Solar Switch)
AB
F
C
GK
L
E
D
I
H

Unpacking SMA Solar Technology AG
10 SB33_38-IEN083330 Installation Guide
3.2 Check for Transport Damage
Check the Sunny Boy for visible external damage, such as cracks in the housing or display. Please
contact your dealer if you find any damage.
3.3 Identification of the Sunny Boy
You can identify the Sunny Boy by the type label. The type label is found on the right-hand side of the
housing.
SMA Solar Technology AG
www.SMA.de
SUNNY BOY
Photovoltaic string inverter Made in Germany
Type Serial No.
SB 3800 2000165882
VDC max
VDC MPP
IDC max
VAC nom
fAC nom
PAC nom
IAC nom
cos j
outdoor
500 V
200-400 V
20 A
230 V
50/60 Hz
3800 W
16.5 A
1
GÜTEZEICHEN
Solar
*2000165882*
VDE 0126-1-1 (2.06)
Device type Serial number

SMA Solar Technology AG Installation
Installation Guide SB33_38-IEN083330 11
4 Installation
4.1 Selection of the Mounting Location
DANGER!
Danger to life due to fire or explosion!
Despite careful construction, a fire can occur with electrical devices.
Do not install the Sunny Boy
• on flammable construction materials,
• in areas where highly flammable materials are stored,
• in potentially explosive areas!
CAUTION!
Danger of burn injuries due to hot housing parts!
• Mount the Sunny Boy in such a way that it cannot be touched inadvertently during
operation.

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12 SB33_38-IEN083330 Installation Guide
4.1.1 Dimensions and Weight
4.1.2 Ambient Conditions
• The mounting location and mounting method must be suitable for the weight and dimensions.
• Mount on a solid surface.
• The mounting location must be accessible at all times (do not mount in inaccessible locations).
• TheSunny Boy must be easy to remove from the mounting location at any time.
• The ambient temperature should be between -25 °C and +60 °C to guarantee optimal
operation.
• Do not expose the Sunny Boy to direct sunlight, so as to avoid power reduction due to excessive
heating.
• In living areas, do not install the unit on
plasterboard walls, etc. so as to avoid audible
vibrations.
The Sunny Boy can make noises when in use which
may be perceived as a nuisance in a living area.
352 mm
236 mm
450 mm
41 kg

SMA Solar Technology AG Installation
Installation Guide SB33_38-IEN083330 13
4.1.3 Minimum Clearances
Observe the following minimum clearances to walls, other devices or objects to guarantee sufficient
heat dissipation and enough space for removing the Electronic Solar Switch.
4.1.4 Position
• Vertical installation or tilted backwards by max. 45°.
• Never install the device with a forward tilt.
• Do not install horizontally.
• Install at eye level to allow operating modes to be read at all times.
Direction Minimum clearance
Sides 30 cm
Above 20 cm
Bottom 50 cm
Front 5 cm
Multiple Sunny Boys installed in areas with high ambient temperatures
If necessary, increase the clearances between the individual Sunny Boys, and ensure that
there is enough ventilation to ensure sufficient cooling of the Sunny Boys.

Installation SMA Solar Technology AG
14 SB33_38-IEN083330 Installation Guide
4.2 Mounting instructions
1. Use the rear panel as a drilling template and mark the positions of the drill holes.
CAUTION!
Risk of injury due to the heavy weight of the Sunny Boy!
• Take the Sunny Boys weight of 41 kg into account.
Mounting material
When mounting the rear panel, use fastening material suitable for the mounting surface.
Take the weight of the Sunny Boy into account!
345,8 mm
267,2 mm
217 mm 217 mm
103,8 mm 75 mm
78,6 mm
88,4 mm
125 mm 125 mm
92 mm 92 mm

SMA Solar Technology AG Installation
Installation Guide SB33_38-IEN083330 15
2. Close all the unnecessary holes in the rear panel
using the sealing plugs provided in the accessories
kit. Insert the sealing plugs in the rear panel from the
outside (the side that will later be placed against
the wall).
3. Mount the rear panel.
4. Attach the Sunny Boy by hanging its upper
mounting slots onto the rear panel, so that both
mounting plates at the top of the rear panel are fed
through the cutouts.
Visual inspection: The Sunny Boy is only correctly
mounted when both rear panel mounting plates
slightly protrude through the cutouts.
5. Secure the Sunny Boy in position by screwing the
supplied M6 contact screw, situated on the
underside of the housing. Use the supplied washer,
with the toothing against the housing. Tighten the
screw with a torque of approximately 5 Nm.
6. Ensure the unit is correctly in place. The rear panel
is designed so that the Sunny Boy tilts slightly
backwards on a perfectly vertical wall.
7. Close the recessed grips with the fan gills provided
in the accessories kit. To help you identify the sides,
"links/left" or "rechts/right" is printed on the inside
of the fan gills.
SUNNYBOY
SMASOLARTECHNOLOGY
SUNNYBOY
SMASOLARTECHNOLOGY

Electrical Connection SMA Solar Technology AG
16 SB33_38-IEN083330 Installation Guide
5 Electrical Connection
5.1 Overview of the Connection Area
The following diagram gives a schematic overview of the various components and connection points
inside the Sunny Boy with the cover removed:
NOTICE!
Static discharges can damage the Sunny Boy!
• Before you touch a component inside the Sunny Boy ground yourself by touching PE
or a grounded object.
ABCD
EGHIK
LIMFF

SMA Solar Technology AG Electrical Connection
Installation Guide SB33_38-IEN083330 17
5.2 Connection to the Public Grid (AC)
Low voltage grid 220 V – 240 V
Comply with the connection regulations of your local grid operator.
The Sunny Boy must have a three-wire connection to the grid (L, N, PE).
The grid connection terminals on the AC connection socket included in the accessories kit can take
wires with a cross-section of up to 4 mm².
The AC connection socket accessories kit contains two sealing rings for the different cable diameters.
The threaded sleeve comes from the factory already equipped with a sealing ring for cable diameters
from 10 to 14 mm. If you want to install cable with a diameter of between 6 and 10 mm, you have
to exchange the sealing ring with the one included in the accessories kit.
Cable requirements
Object Description
ACommunication socket
BFlat connection for grounding the cable shield with line-conducted communication
CSunny Display
DJumper slot for fan test
EVaristors
FHousing opening with sealing plugs for communication
GCommunication terminal
HJumper slot for communication
IPV input plug
KElectronic Solar Switch (ESS)
LOperating status LEDs
MAC plug for grid connection
External diameter
6 – 14 mm

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18 SB33_38-IEN083330 Installation Guide
Cable design
For optimum operation of the Sunny Boy the grid impedance of the AC cable must not exceed 1 Ohm.
This is necessary, amongst other things, for the correct operation of the Sunny Boy.
The cable cross-section should be sized using the "Sunny Design" design program
(www.SMA.de/en/SunnyDesign) so that output losses do not exceed 1 % at nominal power.
The maximum cable lengths are shown in the following table. Do not exceed the maximum cable
length.
Load disconnection unit
The maximal permissible rating is located in the technical data (page 38).
Cable cross-section Max. cable length
Sunny Boy 3300 Sunny Boy 3800
4 mm218.5 m 16 m
DANGER!
Risk of lethal burns!
When a generator (Sunny Boy) and a
consumer are connected to the same line
circuit breaker, the protective function of the
line circuit breaker is no longer guaranteed.
The current from the Sunny Boy and the grid
can add up to overcurrent which is not
detected by the line circuit breaker.
• Never connect loads between the Sunny Boy and the line circuit breaker without
protection.
• Always install separate fuses for loads.
Load disconnection unit
A circuit breakers load disconnecting properties can be utilized to disconnect the Sunny
Boy from the grid underload.
A screw type fuse element, e.g. D system (Diazed) or D0 system (Neozed) has no load
disconnecting properties and thus may be used as cable protection, but not as a load
disconnection unit.
Upon disconnection under load, the fuse element may be destroyed or its functionality may
be impaired by contact burning.

SMA Solar Technology AG Electrical Connection
Installation Guide SB33_38-IEN083330 19
Connection procedure
1. Check the grid voltage and compare it with "Vac" on the type label.
The exact operating range of the Sunny Boy is specified in the operating parameters. You will
find the relevant document in the download area at www.SMA.de/en.
2. Switch off the line circuit breaker and secure it to prevent it from being reactivated.
3. If necessary change the sealing ring of the threaded sleeve. Pull the sealing ring out of the
threaded sleeve and insert a smaller sealing ring.
4. Slide the pressure screw over the AC connection cable.
5. Slide the threaded sleeve with the suitable sealing ring over the AC cable.
6. Bend the AC cable with a radius of at least four
times the cable diameter.
7. Shorten the cable.
8. Insert the protective earth PE (green-yellow) in the
screw terminal with the earth sign on the socket
element and tighten the screw. The PE protective
earth must be longer than the connected wires of
N and L.
9. Insert the neutral conductor N (blue) in the screw
terminal N on the socket element and tighten the
screw.
10. Insert the live wire L (brown or black) in the screw
terminal L and tighten the screw.
Threaded sleeve
Pressure screw
min. 4 x cable
diameter

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20 SB33_38-IEN083330 Installation Guide
11. Press the threaded sleeve into the socket element until it audibly engages.
12. Screw the pressure screw tightly onto the threaded
sleeve.
13. Tighten the safety ring to provide sealing and
provide strain relief.
14. Close the socket element with the cap supplied in the accessories kit if the Sunny Boy is not being
connected immediately.
15. Remove the protective cap of the flange plug on the Sunny Boy.
16. Connect the AC connection socket to the flange plug on the Sunny Boy.
17. Press the AC connection socket firmly against the flange plug until it audibly engages. Make
sure the alignment of the AC connection socket is correct.
DANGER!
Danger to life due to non-earthed housing!
When laying the AC cable, the PE conductor and the other conductors can be extracted
from the socket element after they have been connected.
• Make sure the wires are securely
connected.
• Do not bend the AC cable once it has
been connected.
• Do not subject the socket element to
heavy loads.
DANGER!
Lethal danger caused by high voltages in the Sunny Boy!
• Do not switch on the line circuit breaker until the solar generator has been connected
and the Sunny Boy is securely closed.
Socket element
Connected wires
Socket element with
threaded sleeve
Pressure screw
Safety ring