Question for tech experts. Can I electrocute myself, or cause a fire from a roof top solar system?
petengail said
01:36 AM Dec 7, 2012
Ok now this is not strictly a caravan issue. During last years disastrous Brisbane floods I remember seeing an article (remember now this would have been in a QLD paper) saying that people should be aware of the dangers of damaged solar systems. I have a 3KW solar system installed on my roof. Lets say my house suffers extreme damage from a Cyclone, would there be enough power still coming off the solar system to either electrocute me or say cause a fire? Personally, I dont think so, but what to the technical experts think?
DeBe said
02:20 AM Dec 7, 2012
Bit hard to say, My panels are 1.5KW there open circuit voltage is 369V DC which is common, so you would be wise to be careful with the cables if damaged. My panels are rated at 5.4Amps short circuit, posibly capable of starting a fire if the cables were damaged & arcing. Personaly i wont be loosing any sleep over percieved dangers. I would be more woried about other dangers from a storm, as in flying debrie ( when young our house was destroyd by a tornado) its amazing what the wind can to with objects.
jimricho said
02:27 AM Dec 7, 2012
If there's 396 volts on the panels when open circuit I think the warning is a valid one. As Daryl suggests there are other dangers in a severe cyclone so you'd be best to pack your valuables such as your home brew gear, your still, supply of home brew and your fishing gear and get out of there!
PeterD said
02:36 AM Dec 7, 2012
Any DC voltage over 70 V is a danger. Your panels are wired into an array with a much higher voltage than that. If anything goes astray that produces a bare end on the wiring you will not know whether it is an earth or high potential lead. Keep clear of it and keep all bypasses away as well.
snapper49 said
09:45 PM Dec 7, 2012
I wouldnt be asking here i would be contacting your installer for qualified support
DeBe said
01:34 AM Dec 8, 2012
Asking a qualified person who installed the system might not be that easy. Most are subcontracted & usualy disapear. Instaling isn rocket sience, iwatch the complete instilation on my house. The whole system is plug & go, this particular instaler had to be told how to use loxins on the stone wall of the house. When they switched it on it didnt work as they had the solar wires conected with the wrong polarity. Of the 4 persons working at the time only one was a Qualified electrician, the rest didnt have mutch idea.
Nomad246 said
05:51 AM Dec 8, 2012
I'd see that as an issue DeBe ,,, anyone doing an install should be full bottle on what is happening. 1 licenced in 4 doesn't adhere to requirements for electrical installation work.
Pete, if your house is damaged and it's midnight, I'd say you'd get a tingle,,,, but at noon could be an issue. Think of electricity as water ,,,, you can drown in a minimal amount, the more volume and pressure the easier swept away.
As was stated, 70V becomes a danger, however 6 volt configured the right way will get your pace maker to miss enough beats. Can be done with less ,,,, but above all , wait for it to happen and then touch nothing unless you understand glove and barrier
Cheers
oldtrack123 said
10:15 PM Dec 12, 2012
DeBe wrote:
Hi D B
The pysical mounting can be done by the slaves including plugging in, but all fixed wiring electricals must be done by a licensed electrician, familar with some specific requirements,
Any work on voltages above 50v Ac or 70V dc requires a licensed electrician
Peter
Asking a qualified person who installed the system might not be that easy. Most are subcontracted & usualy disapear. Instaling isn rocket sience, iwatch the complete instilation on my house. The whole system is plug & go, this particular instaler had to be told how to use loxins on the stone wall of the house. When they switched it on it didnt work as they had the solar wires conected with the wrong polarity. Of the 4 persons working at the time only one was a Qualified electrician, the rest didnt have mutch idea.
oldtrack123 said
10:19 PM Dec 12, 2012
petengail wrote:
Ok now this is not strictly a caravan issue. During last years disastrous Brisbane floods I remember seeing an article (remember now this would have been in a QLD paper) saying that people should be aware of the dangers of damaged solar systems. I have a 3KW solar system installed on my roof. Lets say my house suffers extreme damage from a Cyclone, would there be enough power still coming off the solar system to either electrocute me or say cause a fire? Personally, I dont think so, but what to the technical experts think?
Hi
One simple answer if you SUSPECT any damage to ANY electical installation ,urgently seek a qualified electrician
Ok now this is not strictly a caravan issue. During last years disastrous Brisbane floods I remember seeing an article (remember now this would have been in a QLD paper) saying that people should be aware of the dangers of damaged solar systems. I have a 3KW solar system installed on my roof. Lets say my house suffers extreme damage from a Cyclone, would there be enough power still coming off the solar system to either electrocute me or say cause a fire? Personally, I dont think so, but what to the technical experts think?
Bit hard to say, My panels are 1.5KW there open circuit voltage is 369V DC which is common, so you would be wise to be careful with the cables if damaged. My panels are rated at 5.4Amps short circuit, posibly capable of starting a fire if the cables were damaged & arcing. Personaly i wont be loosing any sleep over percieved dangers. I would be more woried about other dangers from a storm, as in flying debrie ( when young our house was destroyd by a tornado) its amazing what the wind can to with objects.
Asking a qualified person who installed the system might not be that easy. Most are subcontracted & usualy disapear. Instaling isn rocket sience, iwatch the complete instilation on my house. The whole system is plug & go, this particular instaler had to be told how to use loxins on the stone wall of the house. When they switched it on it didnt work as they had the solar wires conected with the wrong polarity. Of the 4 persons working at the time only one was a Qualified electrician, the rest didnt have mutch idea.
I'd see that as an issue DeBe ,,, anyone doing an install should be full bottle on what is happening. 1 licenced in 4 doesn't adhere to requirements for electrical installation work.
Pete, if your house is damaged and it's midnight, I'd say you'd get a tingle,,,, but at noon could be an issue. Think of electricity as water ,,,, you can drown in a minimal amount, the more volume and pressure the easier swept away.
As was stated, 70V becomes a danger, however 6 volt configured the right way will get your pace maker to miss enough beats. Can be done with less ,,,, but above all , wait for it to happen and then touch nothing unless you understand glove and barrier
Cheers
Hi
One simple answer if you SUSPECT any damage to ANY electical installation ,urgently seek a qualified electrician
DO NOT TOUCH
Peter