SAFETY, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
AVANCIS POWERMAX
®
PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES
General Information
• Before starting to handle, install and
oper ate PowerMax
®
modules, all safety,
instal lation and operation instructions
should be understood. Follow all appli-
cable local, regional, national and inter-
national regulations, code requirements
and standards.
• Keep unauthorised people away from
the PV system and the PV components
when unpacking and installing.
• PowerMax
®
modules produce voltage
when exposed to light, even when
oper ated in open-circuit mode.
• PowerMax
®
modules produce approxi -
mately full voltage as specified on the
mod ule label, even under low-light
conditions. With light intensity, both
current and power will increase.
• Under operating conditions, a Power-
Max
®
module is likely to produce more
current and/or voltage than reported at
Standard Test Conditions (1,000 W/m²
irradiance in the plane of module, mod-
ule temperature 25 °C and a spectral
distribution of irradi ance according to
air mass [AM] 1.5). Accordingly, the val-
ues of short-circuit current (I
sc
) and
open-circuit voltage (V
oc
) given on the
module label should be multiplied by a
factor of 1.25 when determining com-
ponent voltage ratings, conductor cur-
rent rating, fuse sizes and the size of
controls connected to the PV output.
• Make sure that the operating tempera-
ture of PowerMax
®
modules remains
exclusively in a range between -40 °C
and +85 °C.
• Artificially concentrated light must not
be directed on PowerMax
®
modules.
• PowerMax
®
modules must not be used
on any kind of moving vehicles.
• Installations where PowerMax
®
modules
come into contact with salt, salt water
or salt water spray are not permitted.
• PowerMax
®
modules must not become
partially or wholly submerged in water
or be exposed to water spray (e.g.
fountains, sea surf).
• PowerMax
®
modules should not be lo-
cated near aggressive substances, such
as salt (see above) or any other types of
corrosive agent, which could harm the
module.
• If PowerMax
®
modules are installed in or
on buildings, the applicable regulations
and local building standards must be
observed.
• Do not disassemble, modify or adapt
PowerMax
®
modules and their serial
numbers or remove labels.
• AVANCIS recommends keeping a
record of the PowerMax
®
module serial
numbers associated with the exact lo-
cation in the PV system.
• Customer and installer should save
this document.
• Apply pressure only to those parts of
the module explicitly described in this
manual.
Handling Safety
• Please follow the instructions on the
AVANCIS module box. The module boxes
are not weather-resistant.
• Removing the PowerMax
®
modules from
the box is easier if you start at the box
side with the module positioned higher.
• The EPS parts used for packaging are
marked with the EPS-Recycling symbol.
For recycling of EPS parts in your region,
please visit www.epsrecycling.org.
• Do not stand or step on the module
boxes or on the PowerMax
®
modules
and prevent objects from falling on the
modules.
• Do not drop PowerMax
®
modules, and
avoid setting the module down hard on
any surface, particularly when placing it
on a module corner.
• Do not damage or scratch the Power-
Max
®
module surfaces.
• Do not use the junction boxes, electrical
cables or connectors as a grip to handle
the PowerMax
®
modules.
• Never lean a PowerMax
®
module un -
secured or without support, and pre-
vent modules from sliding down any
surfaces.
• Do not apply paint, glue or adhesive to
the surface of the PowerMax
®
module.
• A PowerMax
®
module with broken glass
or a damaged back rail or other parts
cannot be repaired and must not be used.
This module could have sharp edges
and cause injury. Broken or damaged
PowerMax
®
modules must be handled
carefully and disposed of properly.
Installation Safety
• Do not install when there are adverse
conditions, like strong or gusty winds or
frost ed roof surfaces. Also do not work
under wet conditions, and use dry tools
only.
• Use only insulated tools that are ap-
proved for working on electrical instal-
lations.
• AVANCIS recommends to use protec-
tive clothing, such as appropiate gloves
for protection against electrical shock
and sharp parts.
• Follow appropriate safety requirements
when installing PowerMax
®
modules at
heights to avoid possible falling or any
other safety hazards.
• Make sure that the minimum bending
radius of the cables is greater than four
times the outside diameter.
• Securely fasten the electrical cables after
connection, but avoid any excessive
mechanical stress on them.
• Electrical cables should be mounted in
such a way that they do not cause peo-
ple to trip or stumble.
• PowerMax
®
modules can only be
switched off by removing them from
light or by fully covering their front sur-
face with an opaque material. When
working with PowerMax
®
modules in
light, follow all applicable regulations
regarding working with live electrical
equipment.
• Do not touch electrical terminals or bro-
ken electrical cables or ends of wire
while the PowerMax
®
module is ex-
posed to light or while installing the
module. Contact with electrically active
parts or any surface of broken Power-
Max
®
modules can result in burns,
sparks and lethal shock.
• Ensure that connectors are clean and
dry before connecting them and that
they are not submerged in water, snow
or ice during operation.
• Never disconnect electrical connections
or unplug connectors under load, in
order to prevent direct current to arc
across gaps or any other dangers.
• Do not wear metallic jewellery while
performing installation.
• Cable conduits should be used in loca-
tions where wiring is accessible to chil-
dren or cable-damaging animals, such
as marten, etc.
• Make sure that the installation of the PV
system does not cause corrosion of the
system itself or parts near the system.
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©2015 | AVANCIS GmbH | Solarstrasse 3 | 04860 Torgau | Germany | service@avancis.de | www.avancis.de | May 2015
