[RE-wrenches] SMA SBxx-US-41 inverters and Tigo TS4A-O operation

Fri Mar 18 12:03:22 EDT 2022

All – A few points of clarification.

There are no Tigo devices on the SunSpec CERTIFIED list of rapid shutdown receivers (which can be found at Sunspec.org).
Thus, SMA will not go through any compatibility testing with Tigo devices that are stated to be SunSpec compatible (any TIGO device with F at end of name)

So, the statement that SMA does not approve of any Tigo devices paired with SMA inverters is correct *** when using SunSpec for rapid shutdown ***.

The Sunny Boy US-41 and CORE1 US-41 lines have built into every unit a SunSpec certified (found on SunSpec.org) rapid shutdown transmitter.
So only when used with SMA approved SunSpec certified rapid shutdown receivers is this a fully supported installation by SMA Service line.

The list of SMA approved receivers can be found on the respective CORE and Sunny Boy product pages at SMA-America.com. Go to the Downloads tab, the Background Knowledge section, and look for “Technical Information – SunSpec Certified Rapid Shutdown Devices”
Direct link to current SMA approved SunSpec receiver document: https://files.sma.de/downloads/SunSpec-Kompatibilitaet-TI-en-14.pdf

This approved list was created to ensure ALL inverter functions perform as expected when SunSpec signalling is used for rapid shutdown. SunSpec certification for rapid shutdown only covers the rapid shutdown functionality. As new rapid shutdown receivers are certified by SunSpec, SMA goes through our approval testing. So the above document is updated regularly – please check SMA-America.com for the most up-to-date version rather than keeping the above link.

The TS4-A-O unit from Tigo does not use SunSpec for rapid shutdown compliance.  That device (also requiring an external CCA separately wired to TAP unit(s) near array to provide rapid shutdown compliance) ARE approved for use with both the Sunny Boy US-41 and CORE1 US-41 lines from SMA.  This is the ONLY current unit from Tigo that is approved for use with current SMA inverters.
** Note that there is a different setting chosen for Rapid Shutdown during SMA inverter commissioning if using the TS4-A-O; it is NOT SunSpec! Please contact SMA if you have any questions.**

Direct link to (no longer updated) TS4 SMA global compatibility document: https://files.sma.de/downloads/TS4-Kompatibilitaet-TI-en-19.pdf

Sharp eyed readers will note that the above linked document mentions the TS4-R-F-42 unit. This was an SMA-only part as SMA physically modified the stock Tigo TS4-R-F to achieve SunSpec certification. The Tigo TS4-R-F was not SunSpec certified, and neither are any current TS4-A-F or TS4-A-2F units.

There was a mention of the GIB in the thread, the Gateway Interface Board (GIB) was part of the SMA Rooftop Communication Kit P2 that was discontinued 4+ years ago. If using the TS4-A-O, external CCA and TAP/Gateway are required.

Best –
Mike

Michael Mahon
Senior Technical Trainer, Solar Academy
SMA America
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From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of Glenn Burt
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2022 9:57 PM
To: Marco Mangelsdorf <marco at pvthawaii.com>; RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA SBxx-US-41 inverters and Tigo TS4A-O operation

Yes, no SMA products are to be used with Tigo equipment. Turns out they are not really fully Sunspec Alliance compatible.
They have tested a couple of products thoroughly with their inverters and you can find them on the SMA website.

Oh and BTW, new SMA inverters will no longer have Wi-Fi capabilities due to chip shortages. Another nugget from the class...

-Glenn
Sent from my 'smart'phone, so please excuse typos and spelling errors.

------ Original message------
From: Marco Mangelsdorf
Date: Thu, Mar 17, 2022 11:46 PM
To: RE-wrenches;
Cc:
Subject:Re: [RE-wrenches] SMA SBxx-US-41 inverters and Tigo TS4A-O operation

Does that go for not using Tigo with the SMA Core inverter as well?

marco

On Thursday, March 17, 2022, Glenn Burt <Glenn.burt at glbcc.com<mailto:Glenn.burt at glbcc.com>> wrote:
I attended some SMA training last week and we were clearly and emphatically told that they do not recomment any Tigo products be used with their inverters.

-Glenn
Sent from my 'smart'phone, so please excuse typos and spelling errors.

------ Original message------
From: Jeremy Rodriguez
Date: Thu, Mar 17, 2022 11:21 PM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>;
Cc:
Subject:[RE-wrenches] SMA SBxx-US-41 inverters and Tigo TS4A-O operation

Hello,
I normally do not install optimizing TS4s but we’ve got an upcoming project that will need it.
SMA tech support was a bit uncertain that the latest -41 inverters did NOT require the CCA along with the Tigo Gateway, and that one could use the rooftop comm kit with the GIB gateway interface board.

Can someone clarify if the CCA + Gateway are needed, or can I use the GIB to get the gateway communication established.

Thanks in advance !

Jeremy Rodriguez
Solar Installation / Design Expert
All Solar, Inc.
1453 M St
Penrose Colorado 81240

Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand.
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