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0 pointsFilligree4y ago0 comments

> For example, typical solar inverter systems don't have isolation between the AC and DC sides. That means any chafed wire can be deadly. They do at least have leakage detection, but set at a 300mA level, which probably won't save your life.

This is very yikes. I just installed such a system.

Do you know any way to test if that's a problem? And is it possible to fix without opening the inverter?

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londons_explore4y ago· 1 in thread

It's normally set that high by design because the solar panels have substantial capacitance to ground (they are large flat conductors sat just a few cm off the ground after all). The capacitance to ground wouldn't be an issue if not for the fact the inverter is non-isolated. That means current can flow to/from the grid to charge and discharge that capacitor, which is indistinguishable from AC leakage.

Some inverters will allow you to lower the leakage threshold (usually with settings in a service menu), but then you're limited to just attaching 3 or so panels or getting false isolation trips.

FilligreeOP4y ago

In my case the panels are, in fact, mounted on wooden brackets a good 1.5 meters off the ground. On the other hand, there's 20 m^2 of them.

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