Disconnecting Solar Panels Under Load

In this next video installment in the solar basics series we will take a look at connectors.

Disconnecting solar panels under load.

A tested and approved safety device which removes all lethal dc volts from any solar installation. The ac disconnect is used to separate the inverter from the electrical grid. In a solar pv system the ac disconnect is usually mounted to the wall between the inverter and utility meter. This article describes how you can troubleshoot a solar system in basic steps.

The ac disconnect may be a breaker on a service panel or it may be a stand alone switch. An ac disconnect shuts off the current between the inverter and the ac power grid. A dc disconnect shuts off the current from the panels to the inverter. The second disconnect is the ac disconnect.

Quality solar panels are built and guaranteed to produce power for 25 years for that reason it s most likely that a problem is caused by a defect in system. Some larger systems use a solar power disconnect switch for added safety in case one of the solar panels gets exposed to light during maintenance. Common issues are zero power and low voltage output. Applying the factor by dividing the maximum power point current by the factor will show how the disconnect switch should be rated under normal conditions.

Often overlooked connectors are important to maintaining relia. Can be installed on a new system or retrofitted on any exi. Utility companies may also utilize the solar disconnect when performing maintenance or other repairs to nearby power lines.