Earth Fault On Solar Panels

Inspect the module for any damage.

Earth fault on solar panels.

Look for cracks on the glass or cells below. It s a frustrating situation but it can often be quickly and easily resolved. Replace the battery fuses. Now unless you are a licensed electrician you should not tamper with the wiring yourself.

As the pv modules are connected in series one failing pv module will shut down the entire system. This makes pv ground fault troubleshooting difficult. Also don t forget to check the module s backsheet for any gouges or scratches. Such a fault is also called an isolation fault.

The fault reading indicates that the third module counting up from the negative conductor side of the string is where the fault has occurred. Oftentimes the problem that prevents your solar panels from performing to the fullest is faulty wiring. Touch the cables of the pv array on the insulation only. Modules with defective module isolation unshielded wires defective power optimizers or an inverter internal fault can cause dc current leakage to ground pe protective earth.

Touching live parts and cables results in death or lethal injuries due to electric shock. Dc isolators are not the only cause of earth faults but it seems clear that they re the main culprit. This should be between 18 and 25 volts. With a few checks you may be able to get your solar pv power station generating again quickly.

It s also possible that one solar panel in your pv array failed. Some of the things that can interfere with the production of electricity are loose connections as well as corrosion and oxidation. Cover the solar panel and reconnect the cables paying special attention to polarity unless proceeding to step 3 below. As mark williamson of the clean energy regulator noted at energy storage australia 2015 over 80 of serious electrical safety issues with home solar systems in australia have to do with dc isolators.

Fault finding on solar pv panel systems. In some cases solar panel earth faults are periodic which means they are only present at certain times. We ve put together this guide to help you save time and money. Typically moisture in the morning will provoke solar system ground faults and strings are down until the fault dries up in the sun.

If a ground fault occurs parts of the system may still be live. Fortunately to date none of the fires or failures associated with the isolators have resulted in human injury. Disconnect the product from voltage sources and make sure it cannot be reconnected before working on the device. Zero output is a common problem and in nine out of ten cases it is due to a faulty inverter or charge controller.