Sofar ESI 3K-S1 User manual

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
Copyright © Shenzhen SOFARSOLAR Co., Ltd
I

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
Copyright © Shenzhen SOFARSOLAR Co., Ltd
II
Table of Content
Preface................................................................................................................. I
1. Basic Safety Information......................................................................1
1.1 Requirement for Installation and Maintenance............. 1
1.2 Symbols and signs.....................................................................6
2. Product Introduction.......................................................................... 10
2.1 Product overview..................................................................... 10
2.2 Product Model Description.................................................. 11
2.3 Product Capacity Description............................................. 13
2.4 Product Appearence...............................................................16
2.5 Buttons and indicator lights................................................ 18
2.6 Product label............................................................................. 20
3. Product Installation............................................................................. 22
3.1 Checking Before Installation............................................... 22
3.2 Installation Tools...................................................................... 27
3.3 Installation environment.......................................................29
3.4 Installation Space.................................................................... 31
3.5 Product Installation................................................................ 32
4. Electrical Connection..........................................................................36
4.1 Attentions Before Connection............................................ 36
4.2 Preparation of Connection Cables.....................................36
4.3 Electrical Connection for Internal System......................37

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
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4.4 External Electrical Connection........................................... 41
4.5 Install the cover........................................................................ 59
4.6 Parallel system..........................................................................60
4.7 System Electrical Topology.................................................. 62
5. Commissioning..................................................................................... 64
5.1 Checking Before System Starting......................................64
5.2 Electrify for the First Time（Important）........................64
5.3 Menu.............................................................................................67
6. Trouble shooting and maintenance..............................................84
6.1 Troubleshooting....................................................................... 84
6.2 Daily Maintenance.................................................................100
6.3 Store and charge the battery module........................... 100
7. Technical Parameters....................................................................... 103
8. Manufacturer's Warranty and Liability Terms.......................... 108

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
Copyright © Shenzhen SOFARSOLAR Co., Ltd
I
Preface
Notice
The products, services or features you purchased shall be subject
to the company's commercial contracts and terms. All or part of
the products and services described in this document may not
within the scope of your purchase. Unless additional terms and
conditions in your contract, the company does not make any
statement or guarantee on the contents of this document. In
addition, the term "Product" as described in this document refers
broadly to "ESI Series products"
Save this Instruction
This manual must be considered as an integral part of the
equipment. Customer can print the electronic version to hard
copy and keeping properly for future reference. Anyone who
operates the device at any time must operate in accordance with
the requirements of this manual.
Copyright Declaration
The copyright of this manual belongs to SHENZHEN
SOFARSOLAR Co., Ltd. Any corporation or individual should not
plagiarize, partially cope or fully copy (including software, etc.),
not allow to duplication and publishment in any form and any
way. All rights reserved, SOFAR reserves the right of final
interpretation. This manual subject to modify according to user's
or customer's feedback. Please check our website at
http://www.sofarsolar.com for lasted version.
The scope of use and warranty is only applicable to mainland
China.
Document Updates
V3.0 2023-09-01

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
Copyright © Shenzhen SOFARSOLAR Co., Ltd
II
Initial version
Outline
Please read the product manual carefully before installation,
operation or
maintenance. This manual contains important safety instructions
and installation
instructions that must be followed during installation and
maintenance of the
equipment.
Scope of Validity
This product manual describes the installation, electrical
connections,
commissioning, maintenance and troubleshooting of ESI Series
products.
Target Group
This manual is for qualified electricians. The tasks described in
this manual only can be performed by qualified electricians.
Symbols Used
The following types of safety instruction and general information
appear in this document as described below:
“Danger” indicates a hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
Danger

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
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“Warning” indicates a hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in death or serious injury
Warning
“Caution” indicates a hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury
Caution
“Attention” indicates there are potential risks, if fail to
prevent, may lead to equipment cannot normally or
property damage.
Attention
“Note” provides additional information and tips that
are valuable for the optimal operation of the product,
will help you to solve a problem or save your time.
Note

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
Copyright © Shenzhen SOFARSOLAR Co., Ltd
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1.Basic Safety Information
Outlines of this Chapter
Please read the instruction carefully. Faulty operation may cause
serious injury or death .
1.1 Requirement for Installation and Maintenance
Common Requirements
The product must be installed in full compliance with national and
local power grid standards and regulations.
Before installing and adjusting the produce, please read all of
instructions, cautions and warnings in this manual
Before connecting the product to the electrical utility grid, contact
the local utility company for allowance. Also, this connection must be
made only by qualified electrician.
When any maintenance or repair is required, please contact the
nearest authorized maintenance center. If you don't know which
service center is closest to you, please contact your local distributor.
Don't repair the product by yourself, which may lead serious injury or
damage.
Before installing and maintaining the device, using the DC switch to
cut off the high voltage direct current of the photovoltaic array.
If you have any question or problem when you read the
following information, please contact SHENZHEN
SOFARSOLAR CO., Ltd.
Note

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
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Otherwise, the high voltage may cause serious injury.
The product should be placed in a well-ventilated place. Do not
place the product in a sealed or air-tight position or cabinet,
otherwise it will affect the operation performance and system life
of the energy storage system.
Avoid direct sunlight. Do not place this product near stoves and
fire sources. Otherwise, the lithium battery in the product system
will leak or even explode.
The maintenance personnel of this product must understand the
knowledge and skills related to inverter and battery
maintenance.
ESI Series products are transformerless inverter which requires
the positive pole and negative pole of the PV array are NOT
grounded. Otherwise, it will cause inverter failure. In the PV
system, all non-current-carrying metal parts (such as mounting
frame, combiner box enclosure, etc.) should be connected to
earthed.
Reminder: Do not disassemble and destroy the battery. The toxic
electrolyte in the battery can damage your skin and eyes.
Caution: Comply with the following requirements during the
installation and maintenance of the product:
A) Remove watches, rings and other metal objects from your
body.
B) Use tools with insulated handles.
C) Wear rubber gloves and shoes.
D) Do not place tools or metal objects on the battery.
E) Close the inverter before connecting/disconnecting the battery

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
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and the energy storage inverter.
F) Battery +/- pole shall be isolated from ground.
Installation and maintenance personnel requirements
When the product is in the running state, some parts may be
electrified and hot. Improper use, improper installation or
operation may result in serious injury to person or property.
Transport, loading, unloading, installation, start-up and
maintenance operations must be performed by a qualified
electrical engineer (all accident precautions in force in the user's
country must be followed!) SOFAR will not be responsible for any
personal injury or property injury caused by improper use.
Installation location requirement
Please install the product according to the following section.
Place inverter in an appropriate bearing capacity objects (such as
solid brick wall, or strength equivalent mounting surface, etc.)
and make sure inverter vertical placed. A proper installation
location must have enough space for fire engine access in order
for maintenance if faulty occur. Ensure the inverter is installed in
a wall ventilated environment and have enough air cooling cycle.
Air humidity should less than 90%.
Transportation Requirement
Inverter is in the good electrical and physical condition when it ship
out from factory. During transport, inverter must be placed in its
original package or other proper package. Transportation company
should responsible for any damage during transport period.
If you find any packing problems that may cause the damage of
inverter or any visible damage, please notice the responsible
transportation company immediately. You can ask your installer or

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
Copyright © Shenzhen SOFARSOLAR Co., Ltd
4
SOFAR for help is necessary.
This product contains battery module through UN38.3, belongs to the
ninth category of dangerous goods. Therefore, loading and unloading
must comply with local laws and regulations and industry standards
during transportation. Rough loading and unloading may cause short
circuit or damage to batteries in containers, which may result in
battery leakage, breakage, explosion, or fire.
Transportation Requirement
Shipping complies with the IMDG CODE and the
International Maritime Dangerous Goods CODE.
For land transportation, comply with ADR or JT T617 shipping
requirements
Meet the regulatory requirements of the transport regulatory
authorities of the country of origin, route and destination.
Comply with international regulations for the transport of dangerous
goods and the supervision requirements of the corresponding
national transport regulatory authorities.
Electrical Connection
Please comply with all the current electrical regulations about
accident prevention in dealing with the current inverter.
Before the electrical connection, use opaque material to
cover the PV modules or disconnect PV string DC switch.
PV arrays will produce dangerous voltage if it is exposure
under sun. When installing a battery, check the positive
and negative terminals of the battery and turn off the
battery.
Danger

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
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All operation must accomplish by certified electrical
engineer
Must be trained;
Completely read the manual operation and
understand all information.
Warming
Must get permission by local utility company before
connecting to grid and the connection must be done by
certified electrical engineers.
Attention
Operation Cautions
Touching the utility grid or the terminal conductors can
lead to lethal electric shock or fire!
Do not touch non-insulated cable ends, DC conductors
and any live components.
Attention to any electrical relevant instruction and
document.
Danger
Enclosure or internal components may get hot during
operation. Please wear insulated gloves.
Attention
Maintenance and Repair Cautions
Before any repair work, turn OFF the AC circuit breaker
between the product and electrical grid first, then turn
OFF the DC switch.
After turning OFF the AC circuit breaker and DC switch
wait for at least 5 minutes before carry any maintenance
or repair work.
Danger
Product should not work again until removing all faults. If
any repair work is required, please contact local
authorized service center.
Should not open the product cover without authorized
permit, SOFARSOALR does not take any responsibility for
that.
Attention

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
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EMC/Noise Level
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) refers to that on electrical
equipment functions in a given electromagnetic environment
without any trouble or error, and impose no unacceptable effect upon
the environment. Therefore, EMC represents the quality characters of
an electrical equipment.
The inherent noise-immune character: immunity to internal
electrical noise
External noise immunity: immunity to electromagnetic noise of
external system
Noise emission level: influence of electromagnetic emission upon
environment
Electromagnetic radiation from the product may be
harmful to health!
Please do not continue to stay away from the product in
less than 20cm when it is working
Danger
1.2 Symbols and signs
High voltage of inverter may be harmful to health!
Only certified engineer can operate the product;
Juveniles, Disable, should not use this product;
Keep this product out of the reach of children;
Danger
Caution of burn injuries due to hot enclosure!
Only touch the screen and pressing key of the product
while it is working
Caution
PV array should be grounded in accordance to the
requirements of the local electrical grid company
Attention

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
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Ensure the maximum DC voltage input is less than the
product’s maximum DC voltage (including in low
temperature condition). Any damage cause by
over-voltage, SOFAR will not take the responsibility
including warranty
Warning
The product has some safety symbols on it. Please read and fully
understand the content of the symbols before installation.
Sings on the inverter module
Symbols
Name
Explanation
This is a residual
voltage in the
inverter module!
After disconnect with the DC side,
there is a residual voltage in the
inverter module, operator should
wait for 5 minutes to ensure the
capacitor is completely discharged.
Caution of high
voltage and
electric shock
The inverter module operates at
high voltages. Prior to performing
any work on the product, disconnect
the product from voltage sources.
All work on the product must be
carried out by qualified persons only.
Caution of hot
surface
The inverter module can get hot
during operation. Avoid contact
during operation. Prior to
performing any work on the
product, allow the product to cool
down sufficiently
Comply with
European standard
(CE) certification
The product comply with the CE
Certification
Grounding
Terminal
Connect the inverter module to the
ground bar for grounding protection

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
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Observe the
documentation
Read all documentation supplied
with the product before install
Positive pole and
negative pole
Positive pole and negative pole of
the input voltage (DC)
Temperature
Indicated the temperature
allowance range
This side up
Inverter must always be transported,
handled and stored in such a way
that the arrows always point
upwards.
RCM (Regulatory
Compliance Mark)
The product complies with the
requirements of the applicable
Australian standards
Sings on the battery module
Symbols
Name
Explanation
This is a residual
voltage in the
battery module!
After the battery is powered on,
there is a high voltage. After the
battery is powered off, the internal
capacitor is still charged，operator
should wait for 5 minutes to ensure
the capacitor is completely
discharged.
Caution of high
voltage and
electric shock
The inverter module operates at
high voltages. Prior to performing
any work on the product,

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
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disconnect the product from
voltage sources. All work on the
product must be carried out by
qualified persons only.
Caution of hot
surface
The inverter module can get hot
during operation. Avoid contact
during operation.
Grounding
Terminal
Connect the battery module to the
ground bar for grounding protection
Observe the
documentation
Read all documentation supplied
with the product before install

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
Copyright © Shenzhen SOFARSOLAR Co., Ltd
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2.Product Introduction
2.1 Product overview
2.1.1 Product brief introduction
ESI series single-phase household energy storage system consists of
inverter module and lithium battery module. It adopts modular
design and can be stacked with building blocks. The battery capacity
ranges from 5kWh to 30kWh. The system can manage the energy of
photovoltaic, battery, utility grid and load according to the actual
application, and realize the optimal distribution of system energy.
Multiple working modes are available to meet diverse needs.
The main features are as follows:
Stack integrated design, convenient installation, simple
maintenance;
Built-in battery pack equalization management unit to improve
battery available capacity;
Photovoltaic maximum input current 16A, applicable to large
current and double-sided module;
Battery side complete electrical isolation, safer system;
UPS function to ensure the stable operation of critical load;
Supports a mixture of new and old batteries;
Supports battery switch off with a button;

ESI 3~6K-S1-HA1~6 user manual
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Figure 2.1.1-1 ESI series application principle diagram
2.2 Product Model Description
ESI series inverter model:
Figure 2.2-1 Inverter Model Identifiers
Table 2.2-1 Inverter Model demonstration
Identifiers
Meaning
Specification
①
Product
Model
Stacked optical storage all in one machine
②
Power
Grade
5K，the power grade of inverter is 5kw
Power grade list：
3kw/3.68kw/4kw/4.6kw/5kw/6kw

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③
Inverter
Model
Single-phase hybrid energy storage
inverter
ESI series battery module model：
Figure 2.2-2 Battery module model identifiers
Table 2.2-2 Battery module model demonstration
Identifiers
Meaning
Specification
①
Product series name
SOFAR BTS series battery
module name
②
Battery module power
grade
5K: Battery module power is
5kWh
ESI series system model：
Figure 2.2-3 Model identifiers
Table 2.2-3 Model demonstration

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Identifiers
Meaning
Specification
①
Product category
Stacked optical storage all in one
machine
②
Power grade
6K，the power grade of inverter is
6kw
③
Inverter model
Single-phase hybrid energy
storage inverter
④
Battery module
quantity
HA3 means 3 battery modules
2.3 Product Capacity Description
The ESI series residential energy storage system supports power and
capacity expansion and supports up to six inverter modules in parallel.
One inverter module supports up to six batteries expansion
modules.

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Figure 2.3-1 Storage Capacity Description