The screen tells me to tap to confirm. Should I?

No. SMA says that by tapping you are confirming that any possible damage to the panels, cables or plugs has been repaired. Without an inspection that confirmation is not true, and the cause of the arc is still there.

Does event 8206 mean the inverter is broken?

Not necessarily. SMA's corrective measures for 8206 focus on the PV installation itself: the modules, the DC conductors and the connectors. A technician has to find where the arc came from before anyone can say whether the inverter needs repair.

Why does it keep coming back after it was cleared?

If the arc fault is cleared without the damaged part being found and repaired, the inverter can detect the same arc again. That is why the inspection matters more than the reset.

SMA event 8206 electric arc detected: what it means and what to do

SMA event 8206 "Electr. arc detected" means the inverter has detected an electric arc and will not feed power until someone confirms that any damage has been repaired. On Sunny Boy TL-US models the display adds "Please confirm by tapping"; on newer -US models SMA calls this state operation inhibition. Confirming is meant to come after a qualified person has inspected the panels, DC wiring and connectors, so do not tap the inverter or reset it yourself.

Safety: act now

Common causes

An electric arc somewhere in the solar installation. SMA directs the inspection at the PV modules, DC conductors and connectors.
Damage to panels, cables or plugs that has not yet been found and repaired. Confirming the message is SMA's way of recording that this repair has been done.

Safe steps to try

Do not tap the inverter to confirm SMA states that tapping to confirm means you are confirming that you have repaired any possible damage to the panels, cables or plugs. The prompt only shows for about ten seconds, after which the reset has to be done another way. Do not open the inverter, a disconnect, a junction box or any conduit, and do not touch the panels, racking or wiring.
Note every code on the display Write down 8206 and any other event numbers you see. Event 4301 can appear alongside it, and on newer models it can name the string where the arc was detected.
Book a technician SMA's corrective step is to inspect the installation for damage to modules, DC conductors and connectors, repair any defect, and only then release the operation inhibition. That is a job for a qualified person.

When to call a professional

Call as soon as event 8206 appears. The inverter stays off until the arc fault is confirmed as repaired, and the inspection that should come first needs a qualified technician.

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Frequently asked questions

The screen tells me to tap to confirm. Should I?: No. SMA says that by tapping you are confirming that any possible damage to the panels, cables or plugs has been repaired. Without an inspection that confirmation is not true, and the cause of the arc is still there.
Does event 8206 mean the inverter is broken?: Not necessarily. SMA's corrective measures for 8206 focus on the PV installation itself: the modules, the DC conductors and the connectors. A technician has to find where the arc came from before anyone can say whether the inverter needs repair.
Why does it keep coming back after it was cleared?: If the arc fault is cleared without the damaged part being found and repaired, the inverter can detect the same arc again. That is why the inspection matters more than the reset.