Xantrex GT2.8-AU-QC-230 User manual

Xantrex Grid Tie
Solar Inverter
Owner’s Manual
GT2.8-AU-QC-230
GT5.0-AU-QC-230

Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverter
Owner’s Manual

About Xantrex
Xantrex Technology Inc. (www.xantrex.com), a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, is a world leader in the
development, manufacturing and marketing of advanced power electronic products and systems for the renewable
and mobile power markets. The company's products convert and control raw electrical power from any central,
distributed, renewable, or backup power source into high-quality power required by electronic equipment and the
electricity grid. Xantrex is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with facilities in the United States, Germany, Spain,
and a joint venture in China.
Trademarks
Xantrex and XPower are trademarks of Schneider Electric Services International sprl, registered in the U.S. and other
countries.
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
Copyright © April 2009 Xantrex Technology Inc. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or
disclosed to third parties without the express written consent of:
Xantrex Technology Inc.
161-G South Vasco Road
Livermore, California
USA 94551
Xantrex Technology Inc. reserves the right to revise this document and to periodically make changes to the content
hereof without obligation or organization of such revisions or changes unless required to do so by prior arrangement.
Exclusion for Documentation
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 LOSSES, DAMAGES, COSTS OR EXPENSES, WHETHER SPECIAL,
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’SRISK; AND
(C)REMINDS YOU THAT IF THIS MANUAL IS IN ANY LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH, ALTHOUGH STEPS HAVE BEEN
TAKEN TO MAINTAIN THE ACCURACY OF THE TRANSLATION, THE ACCURACY CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. APPROVED
XANTREX CONTENT IS CONTAINED WITH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE VERSION WHICH IS POSTED AT
WWW.XANTREX.COM.
Date and Revision
April 2009 Revision A
Document Part Number
975-0466-01-01
Product Part Numbers
864-1030 (GT2.8-AU-QC-230) and 864-1039 (GT5.0-AU-QC-230)
Contact Information
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.xantrex.com

975-0466-01-01 iii
About This Manual
The purpose of this Owner’s Manual is to provide explanations and procedures for
installing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting the Xantrex Grid Tie Solar
Inverter™.
Scope
The manual 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
Chapter 1 and Chapter 5 are intended for anyone who needs to operate the
Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverter. Operators must be familiar with all the safety
regulations pertaining to operating high-voltage equipment as dictated by local
code. Operators must also have a complete understanding of this equipment’s
features and functions. Do not to use this product unless it has been installed by a
qualified installer in accordance with the instructions in Chapter 2, “Installation”.
Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, and Chapter 6 are intended for qualified
installers who need to install the Xantrex Grid Tie Solar Inverter. Qualified
installers have the training and experience in solar power systems to safely and
correctly follow these instructions and the applicable electrical and building
codes, in order to design and install a system that is safe and will operate correctly.
Qualified installers have an awareness of the hazards involved in performing
electrical installation work and how to reduce those hazards. Only qualified
personnel should perform the installation, commissioning and maintenance of the
GT Inverter.
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.

About This Manual
iv 975-0466-01-01
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 the Xantrex
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.
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
ISC Short Circuit Current
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
LED Light Emitting Diode
MPPT Maximum Power Point Tracking
PMAX Maximum Output Power
PNOM Nominal Output Power

About This Manual
975-0466-01-01 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
PC Personal Computer
PV Photovoltaic
STC Standard Test Condition
Vac Volts AC
Vdc Volts DC
VMP Voltage at Maximum Power
VOC Open Circuit Voltage
UPV PV Array DC Voltage
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.
$On the product: Warning, risk of electric shock.
%On the product: Warning, Hot surface—risk of burns.
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.

vi

975-0466-01-01 vii
Important Safety Instructions
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 shock, fire, and energy hazards the installation must be in accordance with all applicable
local installation codes. It is the installer’s responsibility to ensure adherence to applicable codes.
3. To reduce risk of fire hazard, do not cover or obstruct the heat sink.
4. Observe the clearance recommendations as described on page 2–12. Do not install the GT Inverter in a
zero-clearance or non-ventilated compartment. Overheating may result.
5. Use only accessories recommended or sold by the manufacturer. Doing otherwise may result in a risk
of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
6. To avoid a risk of fire and electric shock, make sure that all wiring is in good condition and that wire is
not undersized. Do not operate the GT Inverter with damaged or substandard wiring.
7. 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.
8. Do not disassemble the GT Inverter. It contains no user-serviceable parts. See Warranty 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 your warranty.
9. 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.
10. The GT Inverter must be provided with an equipment-grounding conductor connected to the AC
ground.
WARNING: Save these instructions
This manual contains important safety and operating instructions. Read and keep this
Owner’s Manual for future reference.
WARNING: Limitations on use
Do not use this GT Inverter in connection with life support systems, medical equipment,
or where human life or medical property may be at stake.

Safety
viii 975-0466-01-01
Regulatory Compliance
The GT Inverter is compliant with the standards described below.
• Safety: Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) based on compliance with AS/NZS 3100 Approval and
test specification – General requirements for electrical equipment
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): RCM mark based on compliance with:
• EN61000-6-1 Generic standards – Immunity for residential, commercial, and light-industrial
environments
• EN61000-6-3 Generic standards – Emission standard for residential, commercial, and light-
industrial environments
• EN61000-3-2 Limits for harmonic current emissions
• EN61000-3-3 Limitations of voltage changes, voltage fluctuations, and flicker
• Interconnect: ResLab verified, compliant with the following:
• AS 4777.2-2005 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters – Inverter requirements
• AS 4777.3-2005 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters – Grid protection requirements
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.
PV Ground Fault Detection
The GT Inverter is equipped with a ground fault detection circuit that measures the impedance to ground of
the array, before connecting to the grid. If a high impedance is not detected, it signals a fault and refuses to
connect. The GT Inverter will remain faulted until the ground fault is remedied and the inverter is
manually reset. See Table 6-1, “Troubleshooting the GT Inverter” on page 6–4.