Make Powerwall 3 Wiring Connections

Make Powerwall 3 PV Power Connections

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Warning
Turn the Powerwall 3 Enable switch OFF before doing any wiring.
1

MPPT Positive PV inputs: 10-6 AWG (6-16 mm2)
Up to 4.5 mm or 3/16 inch cabinet / electronics tip screwdriver
2

MPPT Negative PV inputs: 10-6 AWG (6-16 mm2)
Up to 4.5 mm or 3/16 inch cabinet / electronics tip screwdriver
3

Ground terminals: 12-4 AWG (2.5-25 mm2)
Torque to 35 in-lb with Torx T20
4 Gather conductors in provided cable tie
5 Leave a service loop
Important Notes on Installing MPPT Jumpers:
  • Jumpers can be used when IMP > 13A. Use jumpers to allow a single MPPT to intake strings with a total IMP up to 26A
  • Land the combined circuit (2 strings in parallel = 1 circuit) or string with IMP greater than 13A in the terminal and connect the jumper from:
    • MPPT 1 to MPPT 2
    • MPPT 5 to MPPT 6
  • MPPT PV inputs 3 and 4 cannot be combined and are closed from the factory
  • Only use the Powerwall 3 MPPT jumpers (Tesla P/N 1784893-xx-y) provided in the Powerwall 3 accessory bag
    Figure 1. Powerwall 3 MPPT Jumper
  • Do not use jumpers on Solar Roof jobs - you cannot parallel more than two strings so combined circuit IMP will always be less than 13A DC
  • Ensure each jumper is fully seated in the connector!
Figure 2. Example PV Wiring Configuration: Up to (6X) Independent Strings where IMP of Each String < 13A
Figure 3. Example PV Wiring Configuration: Up to (6X) Pairs of Combined Strings where IMP of Each Combined Circuit < 13A
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Note
This configuration is most common when installing Solar Roof with Powerwall 3.
Figure 4. Example PV Wiring Configuration: Up to (6X) Pairs of Combined Strings where IMP of Each Combined Circuit > 13A (Jumpers Required)

Connect Powerwall 3 to the Backup Switch or Backup Gateway

1

CN- (CAN LO): 24-16 AWG (0.2-1.5 mm2)
Up to 3 mm or 3/32 inch cabinet / electronics tip screwdriver
2

CN+ (CAN HI): 24-16 AWG (0.2-1.5 mm2)
Up to 3 mm or 3/32 inch cabinet / electronics tip screwdriver
3

GND: 24-16 AWG (0.2-1.5 mm2)*
Up to 3 mm or 3/32 inch cabinet / electronics tip screwdriver
4

12V+: 24-16 AWG (0.2-1.5 mm2)*
Up to 3 mm or 3/32 inch cabinet / electronics tip screwdriver
5 Strip back the cable jacket so that the wires lay flat, leaving room to install the front cover. Route the cable through the lower left tab
6 Leave a service loop

*18 AWG is the recommended minimum wire gauge due to potential voltage drop on long wire runs.

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Note
CN- and CN+ must be twisted pair.
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Note
The wire order for Backup Switch / Backup Gateway is not the same as the wire order for Powerwall 3.

Make Powerwall 3 AC Power Connections

Connect Powerwall 3 to a 60A breaker.

1

N / L2 / L1: 10-4 AWG (6-25 mm2)
Up to 4.5 mm or 3/16 inch cabinet / electronics tip screwdriver
2

Ground terminals: 12-4 AWG (2.5-25 mm2)
Torque to 35 in-lb with Torx T20
3 Gather conductors in provided cable tie
4 Leave a service loop

Install System Shutdown Switch Where Required

Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
CAUTION
The System Shutdown Switch must be connected to Powerwall 3. Do not connect it to the Backup Gateway as it will not work.
1

Rapid Shutdown IN: 24-16 AWG (0.2-1.5 mm2)
Up to 3 mm or 3/32 inch cabinet / electronics tip screwdriver
2

Rapid Shutdown OUT: 24-16 AWG (0.2-1.5 mm2)
Up to 3 mm or 3/32 inch cabinet / electronics tip screwdriver
3 Remove RSD jumper when installing System Shutdown Switch; otherwise, leave installed
4 Strip back the cable jacket so that the wires lay flat, leaving room to install the front cover. Route the cable through the lower left tab
5 Leave a service loop
6 Connect the RSD wiring to a suitable DC switch (see the Powerwall 3 with Backup Gateway 2 or Backup Switch installation manual for full details)
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Note
See Multi-Powerwall 3 Installations for instructions to connect multiple Powerwall 3 units to a System Shutdown Switch.

Install Ferrite Cores / Metal PV Shield

For Powerwall 3 P/N 1707000-00-J and higher, install the metal PV shield and LV ferrite core:

1 Low voltage harness ferrite
2 Metal PV shield
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Note
Ensure the PV shield is firmly in place and its edges do not protrude past the edges of the Powerwall 3 enclosure.
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Note
When the metal PV shield is installed, additional ferrite cores are not required on the AC and PV wires.

For Powerwall 3 P/N 1707000-00-H and lower, install the (3X) ferrite cores:

1 AC ferrite
2 PV ferrite
3 Low voltage harness ferrite

Secure each ferrite with its provided cable tie.

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Note
Ground wires do not need to be included in the ferrite cores.

Important Notes on Wire Routing

Figure 5. Good Wiring Example: AC Wiring Routed from Left, PV Wiring Routed from Right
1
  • AC is routed from left with service loop
  • AC wires are secured with a cable tie
2
  • PV is routed from right with service loop
  • PV wires are secured with a cable tie
3
  • Communication wire is routed from right, crossing the enclosure in the dedicated wiring space
  • Communication wire has a service loop
  • Communication wire is routed through left-side tab with cable jacket stripped back
Figure 6. Good Wiring Example: AC Wiring Routed from Right, PV Wiring Routed from Left
1
  • AC is routed from right, crossing the enclosure in the dedicated wiring space
  • AC wiring has a service loop
  • AC wires are secured with a cable tie
2
  • PV is routed from left, crossing the enclosure in the dedicated wiring space
  • PV wiring has a service loop
  • PV wires are secured with a cable tie
3
  • Communication wire is routed from right, crossing the enclosure in the dedicated wiring space
  • Communication wire has a service loop
  • Communication wire is routed through left-side tab with cable jacket stripped back
Figure 7. Bad Wiring Example: AC and Communication Wiring Blocking Front Cover
1 AC wires are routed across the front of the enclosure which would prevent the front cover from being installed
2
  • Communication wire is not routed through left-side tab
  • Communication cable jacket has not been stripped back
This wire will also prevent the front cover from being installed
Figure 8. Bad Wiring Example: Communication Wiring Blocking Wi-Fi Antenna
1
  • Communication wire is routed through right-side tab
  • Communication cable jacket has not been stripped back
When the communication wire is routed from the right, it blocks the Wi-Fi antenna. Not stripping back the cable jacked will prevent the front cover from being installed
Figure 9. Bad Wiring Example: Communication Wiring Blocking Front Cover, AC and PV Wiring Missing Service Loops and Cable Ties
1 AC and PV wiring do not have service loops
2 Communication cable is routed from top; no drip loop creates the potential for water to follow the cable and drip into the wiring terminals
3 AC and PV wires are not secured with cable ties