SMA SUNNY BOY 8000TL?US User manual

SB8-10TL-IUS103811 | IMUS-SB8-10TLUS | Version 1.1
US
PV Inverter
SUNNY BOY 8000TL-US / 9000TL-US / 10000TL-US
Installation Guide

SMA America, LLC Legal Restrictions
Installation Guide SB8-10TL-IUS103811 3
Copyright © 2010 SMA America,LLC. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photographic, magnetic or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of SMA America,LLC.
SMA America,LLC makes no representations, express or implied, with respect to this documentation
or any of the equipment and/or software it may describe, including (with no limitation) any implied
warranties of utility, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. All such warranties are
expressly disclaimed. Neither SMA America,LLC nor its distributors or dealers shall be liable for any
indirect, incidental, or consequential damages under any circumstances.
(The exclusion of implied warranties may not apply in all cases under some statutes, and thus the
above exclusion may not apply.)
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Every attempt has been made to make this
document complete, accurate and up-to-date. Readers are cautioned, however, that
SMAAmerica,LLC reserves the right to make changes without notice and shall not be responsible for
any damages, including indirect, incidental or consequential damages, caused by reliance on the
material presented, including, but not limited to, omissions, typographical errors, arithmetical errors
or listing errors in the content material.
All trademarks are recognized even if these are not marked separately. Missing designations do not
mean that a product or brand is not a registered trademark.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and
any use of such marks by SMA America,LLC is under license.
SMA America, LLC
3801 N. Havana Street
Denver, CO 80239 U.S.A.

Important Safety Instructions SMA America, LLC
4 SB8-10TL-IUS103811 Installation Guide
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
This manual contains important instructions for Sunny Boy US inverter, that must be followed during
installation and maintenance of the inverter.
The Sunny Boy is designed and tested according to international safety requirements, but as with all
electrical and electronic equipment, certain precautions must be observed when installing and/or
operating the Sunny Boy. To reduce the risk of personal injury and to ensure the safe installation and
operation of the Sunny Boy, you must carefully read and follow all instructions, cautions and warnings
in this installation manual.
Warnings in this document
A warning describes a hazard to equipment or personnel. It calls attention to a procedure or practice,
which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of part or all
of the SMA equipment and/or other equipment connected to the SMA equipment or personal injury.
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 is used to address practices not related to personal injury.

SMA America, LLC Important Safety Instructions
Installation Guide SB8-10TL-IUS103811 5
Other symbols in this document
In addition to the safety and hazard symbols described on the previous pages, the following symbol
is also used in this installation manual:
Markings on this product
The following symbols are used as product markings with the following meanings.
Information
This symbol accompanies notes that call attention to supplementary information that you
must know and use to ensure optimal operation of the system.
Warning regarding dangerous voltage
The product works with high voltages. All work on the product must only be performed
as described in it‘s documentation.
Electric arc hazards
The product has large electrical potential differences between its conductors. Arc flashes
can occur through air when high-voltage current flows. Do not work on the product
during operation.
Beware of hot surface
The product can become hot during operation. Do not touch the product during
operation.
Observe the operating instructions
Read the product’s documentation before working on it. Follow all safety precautions
and instructions as described in the documentation.
AC current
DC current
Transformerless
Earth Ground
UL1741 is the standard applied by Underwriters Laboratories to the Sunny Boy to certify
that it meets the requirements of the National Electrical Code® and IEEE-929-2000.
IEEE 929-2000 provides recommendations regarding the proper equipment and
functionality necessary to ensure compatible operation when power generation is
connected to the utility grid.

General Warnings SMA America, LLC
6 SB8-10TL-IUS103811 Installation Guide
General Warnings
General Warnings
All electrical installations must be done in accordance with all local electrical codes and
the National Electrical Code®, ANSI/NFPA 70. For installation in Canada the installations
must be done in accordance with applicable Canadian standards.
The Sunny Boy contains no user-serviceable parts except for the fans on the bottom of the
enclosure and the filters behind the fans as well as the handle covers on the sides of the
unit. For all repair and maintenance, always return the unit to an authorized SMA Service
Center.
Before installing or using the Sunny Boy, read all of the instructions, cautions, and warnings
on the Sunny Boy in this installation manual.
Before connecting the Sunny Boy to the electrical utility grid, contact the local utility
company. This connection must be made only by qualified personnel.
Wiring of the Sunny Boy must be made by qualified personnel only.

SMA America, LLC Table of Contents
Installation Guide SB8-10TL-IUS103811 7
Table of Contents
1 Notes on this manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.1 Validity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.2 Target group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.3 Storage of the manuals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.4 Additional information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.5 Nomenclature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.1 Appropriate Usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.2 Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3 The Sunny Boy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.1 Parts of the Sunny Boy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.2 Position of the Labels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.3 Identifying the Sunny Boy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4 Unpacking and inspection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.1 Scope of delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5 Mounting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.1 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.2 Selecting the mounting location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.3 Mounting the Sunny Boy with the wall mounting bracket. . . . . 20
5.3.1 Possibilities for mounting the wall mounting bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5.3.2 Mounting the wall mounting bracket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.4 Mounting the SMA DC Disconnect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.5 Mounting the Sunny Boy onto the wall mounting bracket . . . . 26
6 Electrical Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6.1 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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6.2 Wiring Diagram with SMA DC Disconnect and Combiner Box 28
6.3 Insert the cable into the SMA DC Disconnect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
6.4 Sunny Boy connection area overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
6.5 AC connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
6.5.1 AC cable requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
6.5.2 Connect the AC cable in the DC Disconnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
6.5.3 Connecting the AC cable in the Sunny Boy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
6.6 DC connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
6.6.1 DC connection requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
6.6.2 Connecting the DC cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
6.7 Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
7 Commissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
7.1 Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7.2 LED Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7.3 Setting the display language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
8 Opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
8.1 Opening the Sunny Boy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
8.2 Closing the Sunny Boy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
8.3 Opening SMA DC Disconnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
8.4 Closing SMA DC Disconnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
9 Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.1 Checking heat dissipation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.1.1 Cleaning the fans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.1.2 Cleaning the handle covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
9.2 Checking the DC Disconnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
9.2.1 Checking the fans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
10 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
10.1 The red LED is on continuously . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

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Installation Guide SB8-10TL-IUS103811 9
10.1.1 Inspecting and changing the varistors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
11 Decommissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
11.1 Disassembling the Sunny Boy and SMA DC Disconnect . . . . . 58
11.2 Packaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
11.3 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
11.4 Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
12 Technical data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
12.1 Sunny Boy 8000TL-US . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
12.2 Sunny Boy 9000TL-US . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
12.3 Sunny Boy 10000TL-US . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
12.4 SMA DC Disconnect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
12.5 FCC compliance information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
12.6 Trip limits/trip times. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
12.7 Torque values and wire sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
13 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
14 Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

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SMA America, LLC Notes on this manual
Installation Guide SB8-10TL-IUS103811 11
1 Notes on this manual
1.1 Validity
This manual describes the assembly, installation, commissioning and maintenance of the following
SMA inverters:
• Sunny Boy 8000TL-US (SB 8000TL-US-10)
• Sunny Boy 9000TL-US (SB 9000TL-US-10)
• Sunny Boy 10000TL-US (SB 10000TL-US-10)
This manual does not cover any details concerning equipment connected to the Sunny Boy (e. g. PV
modules). Information concerning the connected equipment is available from the manufacturer of the
equipment.
1.2 Target group
This manual is for qualified personnel. Qualified personnel have received training and have
demonstrated skills and knowledge in the construction and operation of this device. Qualified
personnel are trained to deal with the dangers and hazards involved in installing electric devices.
1.3 Storage of the manuals
Keep all Sunny Boy manuals in a convenient place for future reference.
1.4 Additional information
You will find further information on special topics in the download area at www.SMA-America.com.
1.5 Nomenclature
In this document SMA America Production, LLC is referred to in the following as SMA.
The syntax specified here for menus and parameters applies throughout the entire manual:

Safety SMA America, LLC
12 SB8-10TL-IUS103811 Installation Guide
2 Safety
2.1 Appropriate Usage
The Sunny Boy is a PV inverter that converts DC current from PV generator into AC current. The Sunny
Boy is suitable for mounting indoors and outdoors.
You can use the AC current generated as follows:
Unbalanced load
The Sunny Boy inverters 8000TL-US, 9000TL-US and 10000TL-US generate a power exceeding
6kVA. To prevent a situation of unbalanced loads between phases ensure that the inverters are
installed in sets of 3, connected to L1-L2, L1-L3, and L2-L3.
AC and DC disconnectors
Separate the Sunny Boy securely from the grid and the PV generators using AC and DC
disconnectors. You must provide an AC circuit breaker. The SMA DC Disconnect is included in the
delivery of the Sunny Boy and must be used for operating the inverter.
Grounding the PV modules
The Sunny Boy 8000TL-US, 9000TL-US and 10000TL-US is a transformerless inverter. That is why it
has no galvanic separation. Do not ground the DC circuits of the PV modules connected to the Sunny
Boy. Only ground the mounting frame of the PV modules.
If you connect grounded modules to the SunnyBoy, the error message F-Riso is displayed.
During operation, the DC circuit is connected to the AC grid.
House grid: Energy flows into the house grid. The consumers connected, for example,
household devices or lighting, consume the energy. The energy left over is
fed into the public grid. When the Sunny Boy is not generating any energy,
e.g., at night, the consumers which are connected are supplied by the public
grid.
The Sunny Boy does not have its own energy meter. When energy is fed
into the public grid, the energy meter spins backwards.
Public grid: Energy is fed directly into the public grid. The Sunny Boy is connected to a
separate energy meter. The energy produced is compensated at a rate
depending on the electric power company.
Stand-alone grid: The Sunny Boy is connected to a stand-alone grid. A stand-alone grid is a
grid which is not connected to a public grid. The Sunny Boy needs a grid-
forming generator, for example, a Sunny Island, in order to function. The
energy generated is consumed directly on site, surplus energy can be
stored in batteries.
Policies vary from one utility company to another. Consult with a representative of the local
utility company before designing and installing a PV system.

SMA America, LLC Safety
Installation Guide SB8-10TL-IUS103811 13
Fuses
No string fuses are provided with the Sunny Boy or the SMA DC Disconnect.
In accordance to 2008 National Electrical Code® section 690.35 string fuses are required to protect
the installation from reverse currents.
String fuses can be installed in the SMA Sunny Boy Combiner Box. Refer to the appropriate manual
for detail information.
You can get more information about the Sunny Boy Combiner Box at www.SMA-America.com.
Principle of a PV plant with a Sunny Boy
The Sunny Boy may only be operated with PV generators (modules and cabling) with protective
insulation. Do not connect any sources of energy other than PV modules to the Sunny Boy.
Position Description
APV modules
B Sunny Boy Combiner Box
C Sunny Boy with SMA DC Disconnect
D AC load circuit breaker
ELoad
F Energy meter
GUtility grid
Capacitive discharge currents
PV modules with large capacities relative to ground, such as thin-film modules with cells on
a metallic substrate, are only to be implemented if their coupling capacity does not exceed
2 µF.
During grid feeding, a discharge current flows from the cells to ground. The amount of
current depends on the manner in which the modules are installed (e.g. foil on metal roof)
and on the weather (rain, snow). This "normal" discharge current may not exceed 50 mA
due to the fact that the inverter would otherwise automatically disconnect from the grid as
a protective measure.

Safety SMA America, LLC
14 SB8-10TL-IUS103811 Installation Guide
PV plant design
When designing the PV plant, ensure that the values comply with the permitted operating range of all
components at all times. The free design programs "Solar Design Tools" (www.SMA-America.com)
will assist you. The manufacturer of the PV modules must have approved the modules for use with this
Sunny Boy device.
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 operation permission.
2.2 Safety instructions
The Sunny Boy 8000TL-US, 9000TL-US and 10000TL-US is a transformerless inverter.
That is why it has no galvanic separation.
• The PV modules must be rated for at least the maximum PV system voltage.
DANGER
During operation, high voltages are present in the Sunny Boy.
Death or serious injury due to electric shock.
• All work on the Sunny Boy must only be carried out by qualified personnel.
• Work on the Sunny Boy may only be carried out as described in this manual.
• Observe all safety instructions listed on the Sunny Boy, in this manual and of all
components of the PV plant.
WARNING
The Sunny Boy becomes hot during operation.
Risk of burn.
• Do not touch the enclosure during operation.
• Only touch the lid during operation.

SMA America, LLC The Sunny Boy
Installation Guide SB8-10TL-IUS103811 15
3 The Sunny Boy
3.1 Parts of the Sunny Boy
3.2 Position of the Labels
Position Description
A Ergonomic handles
B Display
C Fans
Position Description
AType label
B General warning label
C Warning label DC connection

The Sunny Boy SMA America, LLC
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3.3 Identifying the Sunny Boy
You can identify the Sunny Boy by the type label. It is on the right side of the enclosure.
The type label shows:
• The serial number (Serial No.).
• The type of product (Type/Model).
• Device-specific characteristics.

SMA America, LLC Unpacking and inspection
Installation Guide SB8-10TL-IUS103811 17
4 Unpacking and inspection
All Sunny Boy inverters are checked before shipping and packaged in sturdy boxes. However the
sturdy boxes do not guarantee that damage will not occur during shipping and delivery.
It is important to carefully inspect the shipping box and contents prior to installation. If you detect any
external damage after unpacking, report the damage immediately to your SMA dealer and to the
shipping company that delivered the unit. If it becomes necessary to return the Sunny Boy, use the
original packing material.
4.1 Scope of delivery
Position Number Description
A1Sunny Boy
B1 Wall-mounting bracket
C1 Spare screw and spare washer for closing the Sunny Boy lid
2 Screws and washers for fastening the Sunny Boy to the wall-mounting bracket
D2 Spare jumpers for fan test
E2 Handle covers (left and right)
F1 SMA DC Disconnect (type DC-DisconTL-US-10)
G1 Screw and washer for closing the DC Disconnect lid
2 Screws and washers for fastening the DC Disconnect to the wall-mounting
bracket
If not ordered differently, the SMA Sunny Boy Combiner Box is included in the scope of
delivery as a standard feature. Refer to the appropiate manual for detail information.

Mounting SMA America, LLC
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5 Mounting
5.1 Safety
DANGER
Danger to life due to fire or explosions.
There is always a certain risk with electric devices that a fire can occur, even though
greatest attention was paid to avoiding this during the development.
Do not install the inverter:
• on flammable construction materials,
• in areas where highly flammable materials are stored,
• in potentially explosive areas.
WARNING
The Sunny Boy becomes hot during operation.
Burn injuries will occur when touching the enclosure.
• Mount the Sunny Boy in such a way that it cannot be touched inadvertently.
CAUTION
Falling of the Sunny Boy may cause injuries.
Crushing of body parts will result.
• Take the weight of the Sunny Boy of approximately 77 lbs. (35 kg) into account
when mounting.

SMA America, LLC Mounting
Installation Guide SB8-10TL-IUS103811 19
5.2 Selecting the mounting location
Observe the following conditions during installation:
• The installation method and mounting location must be suitable for the weight and dimensions
of the Sunny Boy (see section 12”Technical data” (page60)).
• Take the dimensions of the DC Disconnect into account (Page 25).
• Mount on a solid surface.
• The mounting location must be accessible at all times.
• Vertical installation or tilted backwards by max. 15°.
• The connection area must point downwards.
• Never install the device with a forward tilt.
• Do not install horizontally.
• Install at eye level to allow operating status to be read at all times.
• The ambient temperature must be below 113 °F (45 °C) to ensure optimal operation.
• Do not expose the Sunny Boy to direct sunlight, in order to avoid power reduction due to
excessive heating.
• In a living area, do not mount the unit on
plasterboard walls (or similar) in order to avoid
audible vibrations.
The Sunny Boy can emit noises when in use which
can be regarded as a nuisance.

Mounting SMA America, LLC
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• Observe the minimum clearances to walls, other
devices or objects as shown in the diagram in order
to guarantee sufficient heat dissipation.
5.3 Mounting the Sunny Boy with the wall mounting bracket
The Sunny Boy is shipped with a T-shaped wall-mounting bracket that is suitable for use with most
walls. The horizontal part of the bracket has 12 holes. Make sure that the wall you choose to mount
the Sunny Boy on is plumb and sturdy enough to support the weight over a long period of time. Be
sure to use the appropriate type of mounting hardware for the wall material. Ensure that the hardware
is no smaller than ¼in.
Position Clearance
Above 12 in. (30 cm)
Below 36 in. (90 cm)
Left 12 in. (30 cm)
Right 12 in. (30 cm)
Front 2 in. (5 cm)
Multiple Sunny Boy units installed in areas with high ambient temperatures
The individual Sunny Boy units must be far enough apart to ensure that the individual Sunny
Boy units do not take in the cooling air of the neighboring unit.
If necessary, increase the clearances and make sure there is enough ventilation to ensure
sufficient cooling of the Sunny Boy units.