The IET is carrying out some important updates between 17-30 April and all of our websites will be view only. For more information, read this Announcement

Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 6 replies
  • Subscribers 37 subscribers
  • Views 10280 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Solar Array - Grounding

vantech

Hi,

Do solar arrays (the frames) need grounding? The inverters in most cases are DC (and isolated from mains) and indeed micro-inverters are class 2 with isolated DC inputs from the array. 

I think if the installation has a TN-C-S earthing system, connecting the roof frame to ground would potentially cause an issue if there was a PEN fault. 

I haven’t seen any solar installations with dedicated earth spikes, so can only assume they are left ungrounded, or (perhaps naively) connected to a PME earthing system. 

Thanks. 

Parents
  • 0

    What about lightning protection? Does having various conducting pieces around increase the risk of strikes?

  • 0 in reply to Roger B
    Roger B said:
    What about lightning protection? Does having various conducting pieces around increase the risk of strikes?

    On buildings with LPS, BS EN 62305 series applies, as required by BS 7671.

    If the building is tall enough, or close to a building with LPS, then changing it by adding PV array on the roof may well alter the requirements for LPS, and/or need for bonding the frames to LPS..

Reply
  • 0 in reply to Roger B
    Roger B said:
    What about lightning protection? Does having various conducting pieces around increase the risk of strikes?

    On buildings with LPS, BS EN 62305 series applies, as required by BS 7671.

    If the building is tall enough, or close to a building with LPS, then changing it by adding PV array on the roof may well alter the requirements for LPS, and/or need for bonding the frames to LPS..

Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines