CPS SCA50KTL-DO/US-480, Installation And Operation Manual

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16
NOTICE:
Outdoor Installations for Extended Periods without Power
CPS advises against leaving inverters mounted outdoors for an
extended period of time (more than 90 days) and/or allowing inverters
exposed to cycles of freezing temperature without both DC and AC
power connected to the inverters under normal operation.
The CPS inverter enclosures are designed to conform to NEMA4 (or
IP65), however there exists the possibility of water condensation inside
the inverter enclosure when it is left exposed to an outdoor environment
without power to operate for an extended period of time. Moisture in the
air could enter the power head of the inverter through the small opening
between wiring box and power head during the time that the wiring box
cover is opened for wiring purposes. When the inverter is exposed to
temperature swings, especially in cold weather, moisture inside the
inverter power head could condense over the aluminum heatsink area
where inverter semiconductors are mounted. Water droplets on the
heatsink may cause a short-circuit to live semiconductor devices. When
the PV source is applied to the inverter, this PV power source could
cause the inverter to fail and result in a short-circuit across the PV
array.
If such a situation in which the inverter is mounted outdoors without
operating power occurs, CPS recommends that the inverter power
head be inspected for water condensation before any DC or AC power
can be applied to inverter. Without inspection, customers will run the
risk of having inverter electronic circuit damage when power is applied
to inverter during startup. It is advised that customers contact CPS for
further advice and to arrange schedule for CPS service personnel to
perform inspection of inverter on site.
- CPS hotline: 855-584-7168