Xantrex GT 2.5-DE, GT 3.8-DE, GT 2.8-S User manual

Xantrex Grid Tie
Solar Inverter
Owner’s Manual
GT 2.5-DE
GT 3.8-DE
GT 2.8-SP
GT 3.8-SP

Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverter
Owner’s Manual

About Xantrex
Xantrex Technology Inc. is a world-leading supplier of advanced power electronics and controls with products from
50 watt mobile units to one MW utility-scale systems for wind, solar, batteries, fuel cells, microturbines, and backup
power applications in both grid-connected and stand-alone systems. Xantrex products include inverters, battery
chargers, programmable power supplies, and variable speed drives that convert, supply, control, clean, and distribute
electrical power.
Trademarks
Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverter is a trademark of Xantrex International. Xantrex and Xanbus are registered
trademarks of Xantrex International.
Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and product names are the property of their respective owners and are used
herein for identification purposes only.
Notice of Copyright
Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverter Owner’s Manual © August 2005 Xantrex International. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer
UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AGREED TO IN WRITING, XANTREX TECHNOLOGY INC. (“XANTREX”)
(a) MAKES NO WARRANTY AS TO THE ACCURACY, SUFFICIENCY OR SUITABILITY OF ANY
TECHNICAL OR OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED IN ITS MANUALS OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION.
(b) ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE, WHETHER DIRECT,
INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL, WHICH MIGHT ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF SUCH
INFORMATION. THE USE OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION WILL BE ENTIRELY AT THE USER’S RISK.
Date and Revision
August 2005 Revision A
Part Number
975-0253-01-01
Contact Information
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: s[email protected]
Web: www.xantrex.com

975-0253-01-01 iii
About This Manual
Thepurpose of this Owner’s Manual is to provide explanations and procedures for
installing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting the Xantrex Grid Tie Solar
Inverter™.
Scope
Themanual provides safety guidelines, detailed planning and setup information. It
provides procedures for installing the inverter and information about operating
and troubleshooting the unit. It does not provide details about particular brands of
photovoltaic (PV) panels. You need to consult individual PV manufacturers for
this information.
Audience
The manual is intended for anyone who needs to install and operate the GT
Inverter. Installers should be fully educated on the hazards of installing electrical
equipment. Certified electricians or technicians are recommended.
Organization
This manual is organized into 6 chapters and an appendix.
Chapter 1, “Introduction”, contains information about the features and functions
of the Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverter.
Chapter 2, “Installation”, provides information about planning for and installing
the GT Inverter. It contains information to help you plan wire routes, ensure your
PV array provides necessary power, and find a suitable location for installation.
Chapter 3, “Wiring the Inverter”, provides procedures for making DC and AC
wiring connections for single and multiple inverter installations. This chapter also
includes information about communications wiring and using GT-View
monitoring software.
Chapter 4, “Starting the Inverter”, contains information on starting up theXantrex
Grid Tie Solar Inverter and performing a functional test.
Chapter 5, “Monitoring the Inverter”, contains information for understanding the
LCD screens and the LED indicators.
Chapter 6, “Maintenance and Troubleshooting”, contains information about how to
provide general maintenance for the Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverter. It also
provides information about troubleshooting the unit.
Appendix A, “Specifications”, contains information about the electrical and
environmental specifications of the Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverter.

About ThisManual
iv 975-0253-01-01
Conventions Used
The following conventions are used in this guide.
Abbreviations Used
WARNING
Warnings identify conditions that could result in personal injury or loss of life.
CAUTION
Cautions identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to the unit or other
equipment.
Important: These notes describe things that are important for you to know, but not as
serious as a caution or warning.
GT Grid Tie
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
LED Light Emitting Diode
MPPT Maximum Power Point Tracking
PMAX Maximum Output Power
PNOM Nominal Output Power
PC Personal Computer
PV Photovoltaic
STC Standard Test Condition
Vac Volts AC
Vdc Volts DC
VMP Voltage at Maximum Power
VOC Open Circuit Voltage
VSC Short Circuit Voltage
UPV PV Array DC Voltage

About ThisManual
975-0253-01-01 v
Symbols Used
Related Information
You can find more information about Xantrex Technology Inc. as well as its
products and services at www.xantrex.com
Alternating Current (AC)
Direct Current (DC)
In this guide: Important information, warnings, or cautions.
On the product: Important information, warnings or cautions with further
explanation in the product guide.
Caution, risk of electric shock.
FOR AUTHORIZED SERVICE PERSONNEL: Before opening cover,
disconnect DC and AC power and wait 30 minutes to allow internal voltages
to reach safe levels.
NOTE: there are no user-serviceable parts inside.
Refer to the operating instructions.

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975-0253-01-01 vii
Important Safety Instructions
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS—This manual contains important instructions that shall be followed
during the installation and maintenance of the Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverter.
1. Before installing and using the GT Inverter, read all instructions and cautionary markings on the
inverter and in all appropriate sections of this guide.
2. To reduce risk of fire hazard, do not cover or obstruct the heat sink.
3. Observe the clearance recommendations as described on page 2–12. Do not install theGT Inverter in a
zero-clearance or non-ventilated compartment. Overheating may result.
4. Use only accessories recommended or sold by the manufacturer. Doing otherwise may result in a risk
of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
5. To avoid a risk of fire and electric shock, make sure that existing wiring is in good condition and that
wire is not undersized. Do not operate the GT Inverter with damaged or substandard wiring.
6. Do not operate the GT Inverter if it has received a sharp blow, been dropped, or otherwise damaged in
any way. If the GT Inverter is damaged, see the Warranty section.
7. Do not disassemble theGT Inverter. It contains nouser-serviceableparts. SeeWarranty for instructions
on obtaining service. Attempting to service the GT Inverter yourself may result in a risk of electrical
shock or fire and will void the factory warranty.
8. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, disconnect both AC and DC power from the GT Inverter before
attempting any maintenance or cleaning or working on any circuits connected to the inverter. Turning
off controls will not reduce this risk. Internal capacitors remain charged for up to 30 minutes after
disconnecting all sources of power.
9. The GT Inverter must be provided with an equipment-grounding conductor connected to the AC
ground.

Safety
viii 975-0253-01-01
Regulatory Compliance
The GT Inverter is CE Marked for the following Directives and standards:
• Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC, per EN50178 “Electronic Equipment for Use in Power
Installations”.
• EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, per:
• EN61000-6-3 “Emission Standard for Residential, Commercial, and Light-Industrial
Environments”
• EN61000-6-1 “Immunity for Residential, Commercial, and Light-Industrial Environments”
• EN61000-3-2 “Limits for Harmonic Current Emissions”
• EN61000-3-3 “Limitations of Voltage Fluctuations and Flicker”.
The GT Inverter is designed for utility interactive operation. It has complete on-board over-current, over-
temperature and anti-islanding protection. It monitors voltage and frequency of the utility grid and
automatically stops supplying power whenever conditions on the utility grid deviate from standard levels
(see Specifications).
The GT Inverter is equipped with a high frequency transformer that assures galvanic isolation between the
DC side and the utility power grid.
German models have an integrated ENS and comply with the VDE 0126 regulations for supplementary
grid connection, especially to the “regulation for the supplementary grid feeding with photovoltaic
electricity producing facilities to the low voltage power supply grid” issued by the VDEW.
Spanish models comply with Royal Decree 1663/2000, dated on September 29, regarding the connection
of photovoltaic installations to the low tension network.