AC 50A Single Phase IP65 Surge Protective Enclosure - UPS Protection Type A-APR

AC 50A Single-Phase IP65 Surge Protector - Complete protection for 8-10 kVA photovoltaic inverters

The AC 50A single-phase lightning arrester cabinet (reference AC50-APR) is a professional, complete and pre-wired electrical protection solution for residential photovoltaic installations with 8 to 10 kVA inverters. Compliant with standard UTE C15-712-1, this enclosure incorporates all the mandatory safety devices: main circuit breaker, Type A-APR high immunity differential, Type 2 lightning arrester and dedicated protections.

Designed by professionals for professionals, this IP65 enclosure guarantees fast, safe installation that complies with Belgian (RGIE) and French (NF C15-100) regulations. It protects the inverter, storage batteries, domestic electrical panel and people against overvoltage, short-circuits and insulation faults.

Detailed composition of the enclosure - ABB and Citel equipment

The AC 50A enclosure incorporates components from recognised brands (ABB, Citel) for maximum reliability:

• ABB S202L 50A double-pole circuit breaker, curve C: Protection against overloads and short circuits. Breaking capacity 6kA. C-curve suitable for resistive and inductive loads. Premium brand for guaranteed longevity.
• ABB DDA202 63A 30mA Type A-APR: Protection of persons against indirect contact. Type A-APR special for photovoltaic inverters (high immunity to harmonics and DC residual currents). Prevents accidental tripping. Breaking capacity 4.5kA.
• ABB SN201L 20A C-curve lightning protection circuit breaker: Protects the lightning arrester against overloads. Automatic disconnection in the event of lightning failure. Breaking capacity 4.5kA.
• Type 2 Citel 2P 230V AC surge protector: Protects against atmospheric surges (indirect lightning) and switching surges. Rated discharge current In = 20kA (waveform 8/20 µs). Maximum surge current Imax = 40kA. Protection level Up < 1.5 kV. Visual status indicator.
• 16-25mm² spring terminals: 2 terminals for AC output connection to domestic switchboard. Quick installation without screws, optimum cable retention.
• Earth terminal block: 2 x 16mm² connections + 5 x 10mm² connections. Allows multiple pieces of equipment to be earthed (inverter, lightning arrester, panel chassis, etc.).

Pre-wired advantage: All components are assembled, wired and tested at the factory. You save precious time on site and eliminate the risk of wiring errors.

Type A-APR High Immunity Differential - Essential for PV Inverters

The Type A-APR (Anti-Perturbation Reinforced) differential is specifically designed for photovoltaic applications. Here's why it's essential:

• Immunity to harmonics: Inverters generate current harmonics which can cause unwanted tripping with standard Type A differentials. The Type A-APR filters out these disturbances.
• Immunity to DC residual currents: Some inverters can inject low residual DC currents. The Type A-APR resists these currents up to 6 mA DC without tripping.
• Maximum system availability: Drastically reduces false tripping, ensuring that your solar production remains active at all times.
• Regulatory compliance: Compulsory in accordance with standard UTE C15-712-1 for grid-connected photovoltaic installations.

Difference with standard Type AC: A standard Type AC residual current device (conventional domestic installations) is NOT suitable for PV inverters. It will trip unexpectedly, paralysing your solar production. The Type A-APR is a mandatory investment for reliability.

Citel Type 2 Surge Protector

The integrated Type 2 surge protector protects your installation against destructive power surges:

• Atmospheric origin: Indirect lightning strike on the electrical network (lightning impact at a distance transmitted by the lines). Generates surges of several thousand volts that can destroy the UPS and the battery.
• Source of manoeuvre: Switching of heavy inductive equipment (transformers, motors) on the public network. Creates transient overvoltages of 1 to 4 kV.
• Citel technical characteristics:
  • Rated discharge current In: 20 kA (8/20 µs) in accordance with IEC 61643-11
  • Maximum surge current Imax: 40 kA (8/20 µs)
  • Protection level Up: < 1.5 kV (limits residual voltage transmitted to equipment)
  • Maximum operating voltage Uc: 275 V AC
  • Visual status indicator: Green window (OK) / red window (fault, replacement required)
• Dedicated 20A protection: The SN201L 20A circuit breaker protects the arrester. In the event of an internal short-circuit in the arrester (end of life), the circuit-breaker automatically isolates it without disconnecting the installation.

Regulatory obligation: Standard UTE C15-712-1 requires a Type 2 lightning arrester on any photovoltaic installation connected to the grid in a lightning risk zone (virtually all of Belgium and France).

Full technical specifications

Applications and Inverter Compatibility

The AC 50A surge protector is designed for medium-power residential photovoltaic installations:

• Single-phase inverter power: 8 to 11.5 kVA (8000 to 11,500 VA)
• Solar output: Installations from 8 to 14 kWp (depending on inverter oversizing)
• Type of installation: Self-consumption with battery storage, total or partial resale
• Configuration: Single-phase 230V 50Hz grid connection

Compatible inverters (non-exhaustive list) :

• Deye: SUN-8K-SG01-LP1-EU (8 kVA), SUN-10K-SG02-LP1-EU (10 kVA)
• SolaX: X1-HYBRID 6.0-D G4.1 (6 kVA), X1-HYBRID 8.0-D (8 kVA if available)
• Sofar Solar: HYD 8KTL-3PH (8 kVA single-phase), HYD 10KTL-3PH (10 kVA single-phase)
• GoodWe: GW8K-ET, GW10K-ET (single-phase ET series)
• Huawei: SUN2000-8KTL-M1, SUN2000-10KTL-M1
• Fronius: Symo Hybrid 8.0-3-S, Symo Hybrid 10.0-3-S (if single-phase connection)

Prior check: Make sure that the maximum AC output current of your inverter does not exceed 50A. Consult the inverter data sheet (section "Output" or "AC output"). For a 10 kVA single-phase inverter: 10,000 VA ÷ 230V = 43.5A → Compatible.

Installation and Electrical Connection

Installation prerequisite:

• Installation by a qualified electrician in compliance with NF C15-100 (France) / RGIE (Belgium) standards.
• Location: Close to the inverter (max distance 3 m recommended). Indoor or outdoor wall mounting (IP65).
• Cable cross-section: 10 mm² minimum for inverter-cabinet link (50A), 10 mm² for cabinet-domestic panel link.
• Recommended cable: H07RN-F 3G10 (flexible neoprene) or U-1000 R2V 3G10 (rigid).
• Upstream protection: Connection circuit breaker 63A (standard domestic installation).

Connection steps:

1. Mounting the box: Vertical wall mounting. Use the 4 fixing points. Recommended height: 1.5 m from the floor.
2. Connect the inverter to the cabinet (input): Connect the AC outputs of the inverter (Phase, Neutral, Earth) to the input terminals of the ABB S202L 50A circuit breaker. Observe polarity.
3. Connect the cabinet to the domestic panel (output): Use 16-25mm² spring terminals. 3G10mm² cable to circuit breaker or main switchboard.
4. Connect the earth: Connect the inverter earth to the earth terminal block on the cabinet. Connect the earth terminal block to the main earth terminal strip (min. section 16mm²).
5. Check the lightning arrester: Check the visual indicator (must be green before commissioning).
6. Check before switching on: Check all connections, absence of stripped cables, tightening of terminals. Measure earth resistance (< 100Ω).
7. Commissioning: Switch on the connection circuit breaker, then the 50A circuit breaker in the cabinet, then the inverter. Check that there is no differential tripping.
8. Functional test: Simulate an insulation fault (differential TEST button) → must trip. Reset.

Professional tip: Clearly label the cables (Phase, Neutral, Earth) and circuits ("Inverter input", "Panel output"). Keep a wiring diagram in the cabinet for easy future maintenance.

For a detailed installation guide with diagrams, consult our technical support centre.

Sizing and calculating cable cross-sections

For a compliant and safe installation, observe the minimum cable cross-sections:

Calculation of voltage drop: ΔU (%) = (2 × ρ × L × I) / (S × U) × 100

• ρ = copper resistivity = 0.0225 Ω.mm²/m (at 25°C)
• L = single length (m)
• I = current (A)
• S = cross-section (mm²)
• U = voltage (230V)

Example: Inverter-cabinet link, L = 5m, I = 50A, S = 16mm².
ΔU = (2 × 0.0225 × 5 × 50) / (16 × 230) × 100 = 0.61% Compliant (< 3%)

Use our cable cross-section calculator to accurately size your installation.

Belgian Standards and Regulatory Compliance

The AC 50A lightning arrester box complies with all the standards applicable in Belgium and France:

• UTE C15-712-1: Specific standard for grid-connected photovoltaic installations. Requires in particular :
  • High immunity differential device Type A minimum (A-APR recommended)
  • Type 2 lightning arrester in lightning risk zones
  • AC-side disconnector or circuit breaker
• NF C15-100 / RGIE: Low-voltage electrical installations. Imposes :
  • 30mA residual current protection for personal protection
  • Protection against overcurrents (circuit breaker)
  • Earthing of all metallic masses
• IEC 61643-11: Low-voltage surge protection standard. Defines :
  • Classification Type 1, 2, 3
  • Impulse current withstand tests (8/20 µs, 10/350 µs)
  • Level of protection Up
• Synergrid regulations C10/11 (Belgium) : Conditions for connecting generation facilities to the distribution network. Imposes :
  • Decoupling protection
  • Protection against overcurrents and short circuits
  • Earthing

CE marking: All components (ABB, Citel) are CE marked, certifying compliance with European directives.

Installation by an approved professional: In Belgium, installation must be carried out by an approved electrician to obtain the compulsory certificate of conformity (RGIE inspection visit).

For more information on administrative procedures, see our guide to photovoltaic administrative procedures.

Advantages of the AC 50A surge protector for your solar installation

• Complete all-in-one solution: All safety devices integrated into a single box. No additional components to buy.
• Pre-wired and tested at the factory: Saves considerable time on site (up to 2 hours). Eliminates wiring errors.
• Premium brand components: ABB (world leader in switchgear) and Citel (French lightning arrester specialist). Guaranteed reliability and longevity.
• Type A-APR high immunity differential: Eliminates nuisance tripping. Maximum availability of solar production.
• IP65 indoor/outdoor: Flexible installation. Totally sealed against dust and water jets. Ideal for equipment rooms, garages and garden sheds.
• 16-25mm² spring terminals: Quick connection without tools. Optimum cable retention, no loosening over time.
• Complies with regulation 2025: Complies with all current standards (UTE C15-712-1, NF C15-100, RGIE, Synergrid).
• Investment protection: Effectively protects the UPS (€€€), batteries (€€€€) and switchboard against power surges and electrical faults.
• Scalable: The 50A allows you to anticipate a future power extension (UPS change).

Recommended complementary products

For a complete and optimal photovoltaic installation, discover our compatible products:

Deye 8 kVA single-phase inverter

Deye 10 kVA single-phase inverter

H07RN-F 10mm² Neoprene cable

50A Schneider circuit breaker (spare)

Need help sizing your installation? Consult our photovoltaic toolbox or contact our technical support.

Maintenance and Periodic Checks

To ensure the long life of your photovoltaic system, carry out these annual checks:

• Differential test: Press the TEST button on the ABB → differential must trip immediately. If not, replacement is compulsory.
• Visual lightning arrester check: Check the status indicator (green window = OK, red = failure, replacement required).
• Connection tightening: Check terminal tightening (thermal expansion can loosen connections). Tighten if necessary.
• Cleaning the enclosure: Clean the inside of the enclosure (dust, cobwebs). Check for traces of moisture.
• Earth check: Measure the resistance of the earth connection (must remain < 100Ω). If higher, improve earthing.

Lightning arrester replacement: A Type 2 lightning arrester has a limited lifespan (number of surges absorbed). Replace as soon as the indicator turns red. Never delay: your UPS and battery are no longer protected.

Component life: ABB circuit breaker: 20-25 years (20,000 operations). ABB differential: 15-20 years (with regular testing). Citel lightning arrester: 10-15 years (depending on local storm activity).

Order your AC 50A surge protectornow and secure your photovoltaic installation with a professional solution that complies with 2025 standards!