STEP 6: Connect Powerwall 3 to an Overcurrent Protection Device

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Warning
Before terminating any conductors inside Powerwall 3, ensure that the Enable switch is turned OFF to de-energize the system. Confirm lack of voltage at the AC and PV terminals before proceeding.
  1. Disconnect the AC circuit breaker of the main service disconnect and secure it against reconnection.
  2. Connect the Powerwall 3 AC power conductors to the main panel or sub panel according to the electrical service type.
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    Note
    Each Powerwall 3 requires a 60 A circuit overcurrent protection device. This device serves as the disconnect for Powerwall 3 and must be wired in accordance with local wiring codes and regulations.
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    Note
    Tesla recommends a 60 A circuit breaker for overcurrent protection, as a circuit breaker can easily be reset by the homeowner if needed. As such, the required overcurrent protection device is referred to as the Powerwall 3 circuit breaker throughout this manual. Alternative overcurrent protection devices, such as a fused disconnect, may be used and may result in a poor customer experience if the homeowner cannot reset the system in the unlikely event of a trip.
  3. (Conduit installations only) Run conduit as needed and attach the conduit fitting to the Powerwall 3 AC wiring knockout.
  4. Run the AC power conductors and the equipment grounding conductor from the main panel through the conduit or cable gland, pulling 24 inches (610 mm) of wiring into the enclosure. Route the conductors to the appropriate terminals, creating a service loop with the extra wiring (see Powerwall 3 AC Wiring for an example of a service loop).
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    CAUTION
    Any wire routing must be done through the wire management tabs at the top of the enclosure. Do not route loose wires through the front of the enclosure or over the Tesla Asset Controller.
  5. Clear out any debris that may be present in the AC wiring terminals.
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    DANGER
    Metal debris like loose wires or metal shavings could create a high voltage risk when Powerwall is turned on.
  6. Connect the Powerwall 3 equipment grounding conductor:
    1. Strip the conductor insulation up to 3/4-inch (19 mm).
    2. Insert the grounding conductor in an equipment grounding terminal and tighten the screw in the Earth terminal to 35 in-lb (4 Nm).
  7. For each AC conductor:
    1. Strip the conductor insulation up to 7/16-inch (11 mm). Add a ferrule if the conductor is finely stranded.
    2. Insert a cabinet or electronics tip slotted screwdriver (up to 3/16-inch or 4.5 mm) into the screwdriver slot to open the terminal.
    3. Insert the conductor as far as possible into the terminal and remove the screwdriver from the screwdriver slot to close the terminal.
      Figure 1. Spring Terminal with Screwdriver and Insert Conductor in Terminal
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      Warning
      Ensure the conductors are inserted into the round terminals and not the rectangular screwdriver slots. Inserting the conductors in the screwdriver slots can result in fire.
    4. Perform a pull test to ensure the conductor is fully seated in the terminal. Push the conductor back in after the pull test.
      Figure 2. Powerwall 3 AC Wiring
    5. After installing the AC conductors and equipment grounding conductor, gather them and secure them with the provided cable tie as shown above.

Required UL 1741 PCS Compliance Information

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Note
The Tesla Powerwall 3 system is certified to UL 1741 PCS for the energy storage system (ESS) operating modes of import and export only. The installer can select three modes of operation for the system: No Site Export, PV Only Export, and PV, Battery Export.
  1. NO SITE EXPORT: The battery and solar will not export beyond the site meter, other than inadvertent export.
  2. PV ONLY EXPORT: The battery will not export beyond the site meter, other than inadvertent export. The export at the site meter will be limited to the export from as measured by the solar meter.
  3. PV, BATTERY EXPORT: The battery and solar will export beyond the site meter.
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Note
To achieve UL 1741 PCS Import Only behavior, either PV ONLY EXPORT or NO SITE EXPORT must be selected. When the selected Grid Code applies to a region that requires UL 1741 PCS, such as California UL 1741 SA, the default setting is PV ONLY EXPORT. In the locally hosted Configuration Interface it is possible to further restrict the system to NO SITE EXPORT; however once set, it is not possible to change back to PV ONLY EXPORT. It is not possible to configure the system to allow BATTERY EXPORT in this mode.
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Note
To achieve UL 1741 PCS Export Only behavior, PV, BATTERY EXPORT must be selected and the import rule must be set to charge only from solar (and not charge from the grid). When the selected Grid Code applies to a region that requires UL 1741 PCS, such as California UL 1741 SA, the default setting is PV ONLY EXPORT. In the locally hosted Configuration Interface it is possible to further restrict the system to NO SITE EXPORT; however once set, it is not possible to change back to PV ONLY EXPORT or PV, BATTERY EXPORT.
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Note
This system is equipped with a power control system (PCS) which is suitably rated to provide branch circuit overcurrent protection. The controlled current setting shall not exceed the rating of any controlled busbars or conductor ampacity.
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Note
The PCS controlled current setting for each PCS controlled conductor or bus bar shall be indicated with a field applied marking label on the conductor or in close proximity to the busbar.
Figure 3. PCS Field Marking Label
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Warning
Only qualified personnel shall be permitted to set or change the setting of the maximum operating current of the PCS. The maximum PCS operating current setting shall not exceed the busbar rating or conductor ampacity of any PCS controlled busbar or conductor.
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Warning
Configuration of power control settings system or changes to settings shall be made by qualified personnel only. Incorrect configuration or setting of the power control settings may result in unsafe conditions.
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Note
The maximum operating currents in controlled busbars or conductors are limited by the settings of the power control system (PCS) and may be lower than the sum of the currents of the connected controlled power sources. The settings of the PCS controlled currents may be used for calculation of the design currents used in the relevant sections of NEC Article 690 and 705.
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Note
Maximum PCS Controlled Current setting: 200 A.