Lightning damage to SW inverters [RE-wrenches]

[Mark Downing, Hurshtown Alt. Power]

In Indiana, all Trace inverters (DR & SW anyway) have proven to be overly
sensitive to lightning.  More so that any other make.  I've had some really
bad ones, and have never went beyond about $500.  Maybe you are sending them
to the wrong repairman?
Mark, Hurshtown Alternative Power
--- Jeff Yago <jryago at earthlink.net> wrote:
> I have seen a major increase in Trace SW inverters damaged by lightning.
> All have cost over $1,300 for repairs (not covered by warranty) and all
> were
> nowhere near direct strikes.
> 
> Many of these systems were not installed by us but some were.  I always
> make
> sure the grounding is per code and always install a Delta lightning
> arrester
> on both the DC and AC side of the inverter, and at the roof on the combiner
> box.  Everything goes to the same ground rod or rods bonded together.  Of
> course those with the lightning protection were less likely to receive
> damage or received less damage, but it is still a big issue in this part of
> the US with lots of lightning storms.
> 
> I don't expect any electronic device to sustain a direct lightning strike,
> but when you have an electronic device (inverter) designed to be wired to a
> kit flying in an electrical storm with a key and a wet string, you would
> expect either a higher level of built in protection or a less expensive
> "sacrificial" component.  It was interesting that some of these systems
> also
> damaged the charge controllers, but some had no damage to the controllers
> and the inverters were still damaged.  Have any of you seen this major
> increase in damage and repair costs?
> 
> Jeff Yago
> 
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