Earthing solar system

Nigel Morton
6 Posts
Nov 14, 2007 01:58 am
Earthing solar system

Hi,
what is the thinking on earthing requirements on a solar system.  My friend has a small 2.2Kw generator that is used to either charge her batteries or run the house (a simple unplug the inverter, plug in the generator system!) and a 1Kw pure sinewave inverter connected to the batteries. There are 2 solar panels connected to the system via a charge controller with 2 wires (no earth) the panels are mounted on the floor on a concrete and metal frame.

Will the system need an earth? The inverter has earth and neutral internally bonded and the earth from the inverter is fed to the house. There is no additional earthing.

What is the current thinking? Should she have a seperate earth rod to bond the inverter and generator to?

Thanks,

Nigel
 
 
Dennis Adams
28 Posts
Nov 14, 2007 06:07 am
Re: Earthing solar system

In the US the National Electric Code is followed.  I assume you are in the U.K., so you must really check the U.K. regulations.  To attempt to answer your question, without knowing anything about your local code, I think if each has a separate earth, you should bond the separate earthings together.  The idea is that no components should ever have the possibility of developing differential voltages between them.

Here are some guidelines for inspecting U.S./ N.E.C. compliant installations, within which you will see the above recommendation.  Maybe this document will be of help until you can find out exactly how the system should be wired according to the U.K. electric code.

http://www.irecusa.org/fileadmin/user_upload/NationalOutreachPubs/InspectorGuidelines-Version2.1.pdf
 
 
Tom M
462 Posts
Nov 15, 2007 11:50 am
Re: Earthing solar system

...Sounds like the panels are already grounded by resting on the ground....
 
 
Dennis Adams
28 Posts
Nov 16, 2007 03:21 pm
Re: Earthing solar system

On the ground yes, but not "grounded" electrically.  The panels need to be bonded to electrical ground.
 
 
John B
163 Posts
Nov 16, 2007 05:45 pm
Re: Earthing solar system

Nigel,

I think you can find the answer, with very good explanations I might add, to your grounding and other questions here:
http://photovoltaics.sandia.gov/docs/John_Wiles_Code_Corner.htm

John
 
 

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