APPLICATION NOTE. Conext Solar Charge Controllers: Ground Fault Protection. Document Number: AU-1.0. Exclusion for Documentation.

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1 Conext Solar Charge Controllers: Exclusion for Documentation UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AGREED TO IN WRITING, SELLER (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 S RISK; 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 CONTENT IS CONTAINED WITH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE VERSION. Abstract Effective 11 th July 2015, all solar PV installations require an external earth fault alarm to be installed. (Refer to AS/NZS5033:2014 clause 3.4.3). a. In systems where the PV array is operating at LV, an earth fault alarm system shall be installed which, on an earth fault causes an action to be initiated to correct the earth fault. b. The alarm system is to continue repeating its operation at least at hourly intervals until the earth fault is corrected. c. The alarm system may be an audible signal or visual indicator placed in an area operational staff or system owners will be aware or another form of fault communication, for example fax, , SMS or similar, shall be applied to inform to the system operator. d. A set of operational instructions shall be provided to the system owner that includes the actions to take when the alarm operates.

2 Applicable Products Part Number Model Number Description MPPT SCC Solar Charge Controller, 60A, 150VDC MPPT SCC Solar Charge Controller, HV, 80A, 600VDC Introduction The Conext Solar Charge Controllers are classified as Power Conversion Equipment (PCE) and require an external earth fault alarm. Schneider Electric manufactures two models of the Solar Charge Controller. The MPPT which operates up to 150VDC with a charging current up to 60A, and the MPPT which operates up to 600VDC with a charging current of 80A Part Number The Conext Solar Charge Controller MPPT is a non galvonically isolated device that operates up to 150VDC and capable of 60A charging. The unit is supplied from the factory with default negative grounding enabled. For positively grounded or floating solar PV arrays you must disable negative grounding. This can be done by moving the jumper from the enabled position to the disabled position as per Figure 1. Figure 1 Enable / Disable Jumper Location

3 Operating Voltage < 120VDC Equipment operated at ELV is not subject to AS/NZS5033:2014 clause and exempt from requiring a Ground Fault Circuit or Remote Ground Fault Indicator. Operating Voltage > 120VDC Installations where the operating voltage is greater than 120VDC an external kit and Remote Ground Fault Alarm are required, recommended solutions are illustrated below. Negative Grounded Positive Grounded Floating Circuit Jumper = Enabled Jumper = Disabled Install a 1A class gpv fuse between PV ve and Ground Fuse Carrier Fuseco part number DC 10x38mm, 1000VDC, 32A, single pole Jumper = Disabled Install a Bender Isometer IR425 between PV ve, PV +ve and Ground Website bender.org/solutions Fuse Fuseco part number x38mm, class gpv, 1000VDC, 1A Remote Ground Fault Indication (options) normally open relay for connection to external devices Bender IR 425 auxiliary relay for connection to Refer to the installation and operating manuals for the respective equipment for detailed installation and programming instructions.

4 Part Number The Conext Solar Charge Controller MPPT is galvonically isolated device that operates up to 600VDC and delivers a charging current up to 80A. The unit is supplied with a factory default negative grounding scheme enabled. The MPPT allows the user to select between a positively, negatively or grounded array scheme at the unit, as illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 2 Fuses

5 Illustrated in the table below are the fuse positions for positive, negative or floating PV arrays. Illustrated also are various options to realise a solation for a Remote Ground Fault Indicator. Negative Grounded Positive Grounded Floating Circuit Place a single fuse in the fuse holder marked -ve Place a single fuse in the fuse holder marked +ve Remove both fuses Remote Ground Fault Indication (options) Refer to the installation and operating manuals for the respective equipment for detailed installation and programming instructions. Multiple Unit Installations When two or more Solar Charge Controllers are installed on the same battery bank, disable all but one Ground Protection Circuit and only a single Ground Fault Indicator is required.