Critical What does this mean?

A safety-rated fault — there may be a risk of electric shock, fire, or equipment damage. Do not try to fix this yourself. Call a qualified electrician.

SMA Inverter Event 8206 — Electric Arc Detected and What to Do Next

Event 8206 means your SMA inverter's arc-fault protection detected an electric arc in the DC wiring and has locked the inverter out of operation until the fault is properly investigated and reset. A series electric arc is a genuine fire hazard — do not ignore this code and do not keep resetting it to get your production back.

What should I do first?

Two quick questions — we'll point you to the right starting point.

Is this code still showing on your inverter's display?

What this code means

SMA's AFCI technical information defines events 8206/8210 as 'Electric arc detected,' with the explanation that the inverter is waiting to be reset from an arc-fault detection event. In practice, 8206 follows an arc detection in a specific string group — events 4301/4302, 'serial electric arc in string ABC/DEF detected by AFCI module' — meaning the inverter's arc-fault circuit interrupter picked up the electrical signature of arcing in your DC cabling.

An arc is current jumping across a gap in a damaged conductor. It generates intense, concentrated heat and is one of the leading causes of PV system fires. The lockout is deliberate: the system must not run again until someone finds the fault. This code appears on AFCI-equipped SMA models such as the Sunny Tripower CORE1 and AFCI-enabled Sunny Boy inverters.

What is this downtime costing you?

Rough estimate while your system isn't producing. Adjust the numbers to match your setup.

System size (kW) Peak sun hours / day Electricity rate ($/kWh)

–per day

–per week

–per 30 days

≈ – kWh of lost production per day.

Estimate only — assumes ~80% real-world output vs. nameplate. Actual losses depend on weather, shading, panel direction, and your tariff.

Common causes

Damaged, pinched, or abraded DC conductors — insulation worn through by rubbing against mounting rails or roof edges.
Loose or separated connections or terminations that have worked apart over years of thermal cycling.
Cracked or corroded solder joints inside modules or combiner boxes.
Rodent or pest damage to cabling.
Aging and weather degradation of connectors and cable insulation.

Safe steps to try

Work top to bottom, ticking off each step as you complete it. 0 of 5 done.

1. Treat this as urgent. If you smell burning, see smoke, or notice scorch marks or discoloration anywhere near the array or inverter, call emergency services — do not approach the equipment.
2. Do not repeatedly reset the fault to restore production. Each reset re-energizes a circuit that may be arcing.
3. Note the companion message (4301 or 4302) and which string group it names — that tells the technician where to look.
4. From the ground only, look for anything visibly wrong, such as dangling cables or damaged conduit. Do not touch the array, the inverter, or any cabling.
5. Call your solar installer. SMA's corrective measures are explicit: inspect the PV wiring and array to locate and correct the cause of the arc fault, then perform the reset of the operation inhibition.

Is your inverter still under warranty?

Before paying for a repair, check — your installer may fix this free.

Brand Year installed

Based on typical standard warranty terms — always confirm with your warranty card or installer paperwork, as terms vary by model, region, and purchase date.

When to call an electrician

This fault always needs a professional — call your installer immediately, and if there is any sign of heat, smoke, or burning, call emergency services first. The inverter must stay locked out until a qualified technician has inspected the DC wiring and array, found and repaired the arc source, and performed the documented reset. Never open the inverter or handle DC cabling yourself: DC arcs do not self-extinguish the way AC arcs do, and the array is live whenever there is daylight.

Frequently asked questions

Is Event 8206 dangerous?

Yes — it is the most serious fault a residential inverter reports. An electric arc can reach thousands of degrees and ignite surrounding materials. The lockout exists to prevent exactly that.

Can I reset Event 8206 myself?

No. SMA requires the wiring and array to be inspected and the cause corrected before the operation inhibition is reset. Resetting without finding the arc just re-energizes the fault.

What is the difference between 4301 and 8206?

4301/4302 is the detection event — the AFCI module found an arc in string group ABC or DEF. 8206 is the resulting lockout state: the inverter waiting to be reset after that detection.

Why does it keep coming back after a reset?

Because the physical fault — a damaged conductor or loose connection — is still there. A reset does not repair wiring; only an inspection and repair stops the recurrence.

Will my warranty cover an arc fault?

Often, if the cause is a manufacturing or installation defect — but not if it is pest damage, weather degradation, or third-party work. Document everything with photos and let your installer assess it.

Need a professional?

This fault is a safety risk — do not attempt to fix it yourself. Contact a qualified solar electrician in your area.

Sources: meaning and troubleshooting verified against the manufacturer's documentation — SMA Technical Information CORE1-US-AFCI-Handling-TI-en-11 (files.sma.de) — Section 4 Event Messages: 8206/8210 'Electric arc detected' (inverter waiting to be reset from an arc-fault detection event)