8709 SMA — Timeout in communication for reactive power spec.
What fault code 8709 means on a SMA system, what usually causes it, and what to check first.
- BRAND
- SMA
- CODE
- 8709 SBSExx-50
- FAMILY
- Inverters
- SOURCE
- manufacturer documentation · 2026-09-04
WHAT IT MEANS
Timeout in communication for reactive power spec.
COMMON CAUSES
What the manufacturer's own documentation gives as the cause. Where it lists more than one, they are in the order the documentation puts them — not in an order we invented.
- Communication to the system control absent
- Depending on the fallback setting, either the last received values will be retained or the active power will be limited to the set percentage value of the inverter nominal power
SAFETY WARNING
A solar system stays live even with the inverter switched off: the panels produce whenever there is light, and the DC side can exceed 600 volts. The checks described here are done with the system isolated; those that require opening the inverter belong to a qualified person.
Buy the whole thing, or just the part
Two different needs, and we keep them apart on purpose: a complete system to buy and install yourself, or the single component that failed on a system you already have.
Complete systems and equipment
Bought as one piece, delivered ready to fit. This is where the off-grid reader buys: a kit, not a spare part.
Replacement components
For a system already on the roof: the component that failed, new or refurbished. Compare suppliers before buying.
HOW TO CHECK IT
The checks below are done with the system isolated. Anything that needs the inverter opened belongs to a qualified person.
HOW TO FIX IT
What the manufacturer says to do, in the order it says to do it.
- Ensure that the connection to the System Manager is intact and that no cables are damaged or that no plugs have been pulled
- Event 8708 Event 8710 top Table of Contents Troubleshooting
TOOLS YOU'LL NEED
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
Can I reset this myself?
A reset clears the message, not the cause. If the fault comes back within minutes, the cause is still there and the reset only hides it.
Does the same number mean the same thing on another brand?
No. Every manufacturer uses its own numbering, and this is the single most common way to replace the wrong part.
Is the system dangerous while it shows this code?
The panels keep producing whenever there is light, whatever the inverter shows: the DC side can exceed 600 volts even with the unit switched off.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
The rest of the solar section: other fault codes for this brand, the family this unit belongs to, and the pages that compare what to buy.
All SMA fault codesSee every code we have read from the manufacturer's own documentation.
InvertersFault codes, wiring checks and replacement units.Off-grid systemsComplete kits for a house with no mains supply.
Home batteriesStorage, state of charge and the codes they raise.Other codes on this brand
TroubleAtlas technical desk · Last checked: 2026-09-06 · Our method