©
2017 Sensata Technologies
Page iii
Product Safety Information
Battery Safety
• Use insulated tools and be very careful when working around batteries, they can produce
extremely high currents if short-circuited (e.g., dropping a metal tool across the battery
terminal), which could cause a
fi
re or explosion.
• Read and follow the battery manufacturer’s safety precautions before installing the inverter
and batteries. Always verify proper polarity and voltage before connecting the batteries
to the inverter. Once the batteries are connected to the inverter, ensure the maintenance
and charging requirements (i.e., charge voltage and charge rate) provided by the battery
manufacturer are followed to extend the life of the batteries and to prevent damage to the
batteries while charging.
• Wear eye protection such as safety glasses, and avoid touching your eyes and face when
working with batteries to keep any
fl
uid/corrosion on the battery from coming in contact
with eyes and skin. Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby and thoroughly wash in case
battery acid contacts skin, clothing, or eyes. In the event of exposure to the eyes,
fl
ood them
for at least 15 minutes with running water and seek immediate medical attention. Baking soda
neutralizes lead acid battery electrolyte and vinegar neutralizes spilled NiCad and NiFe battery
electrolyte; depending on your battery type, keep a supply on hand near the batteries.
• Remove all jewelry such as rings, watches, bracelets, etc., when installing or performing
maintenance on the batteries and inverter. A battery can produce a short-circuit current high
enough to weld metal jewelry, causing severe burns.
• Never work alone. Always have someone within the range of your voice or close enough to
come to your aid when working around batteries.
• Use proper lifting techniques when working with batteries.
• Never use old or untested batteries. Check each battery’s label for age, type, and date code
to ensure all batteries are identical.
• Batteries are sensitive to changes in temperature. Install batteries in a stable environment.
• Batteries can produce explosive gasses, so install batteries in a well-ventilated area. For
compartment or enclosure installations, always vent batteries from the highest point to the
outside. Design the battery enclosure to prevent accumulation and concentration of hydrogen
gas in “pockets” at the top of the compartment.
• Provide at least one inch of air space between batteries to provide optimum cooling.
• Never smoke or allow a spark near batteries.
• To prevent a spark at the battery and reduce the chance of explosion, always connect the
cables to the batteries
fi
rst. Then connect the cables to the inverter.
• Never charge a frozen battery.
• The battery bank should be installed in a clean, dry, ventilated environment where they are
protected from high and low temperatures. If installed in a vehicle/boat, the batteries must be
mounted upright (if using liquid batteries) and securely fastened. The location must be fully
accessible and protected from exposure to heat producing devices, and away from any fuel tanks.
Safety Symbols
To reduce the risk of electrical shock,
fi
re, or other safety hazard, the following safety symbols
have been placed throughout this manual to indicate dangerous and important safety instructions.
WARNING:
This symbol indicates that failure to take a speci
fi
ed action could result in
physical harm to the user.
CAUTION:
This symbol indicates that failure to take a speci
fi
ed action could result in
damage to the equipment.
Info:
This symbol indicates information that emphasizes or supplements important
points of the main text.
