[RE-wrenches] GE PV-055-GCA

[benn kilburn]

Nick,
It was several years ago (2006-08) but I've installed these, and had to deal
with a ground fault issue as well.
In my case the fault was discovered while testing string voltages prior to
turning the system on.

The roofer had already completed installing all the concrete tiles, so there
was no access to the wiring.  I was able to roughly determine which end of
the string the fault was closer to, which is helpful in a 37 mod string.
The string was spread out over about 6 dormers, so I started at the closest
end of the string and had to remove the necessary tiles to access the
modules, then started removing modules, checking all the wiring along the
way.  
I found the fault on the second dormer, about 8 modules into the string.
(whew)

Despite repeatedly being made aware of the of the clearly marked and visible
conductors (visible at the time of roofing), the roofer had put a tile nail
(holding a tile in place) right thru one of the conductors which also came
in contact with the module bonding conductor, thus creating the ground
fault.
I used a watertight butt-splice to repair the wire, re-installed the removed
modules, re-tested string voltages and all was good, so I replaced the
removed tiles and completed the system start-up.

I guess my advice would be to isolate the string that has the fault, then
hopefully you have a wiring diagram of the module placement in each string
so that you know where to start.  Begin removing modules one at a time
carefully inspecting all conductors along the way.  Watch out for roofing
nails!!!
Hope this helps.

Benn

DayStar Renewable Energy Inc.
www.daystarsolar.ca  *  Ph: 780-906-7807
Construction Electrician Solar Photovoltaic Systems Certified
Certificate # 0007S
HAVE A SUNNY DAY

On 27/09/12 10:58 AM, "Nick Vida" <nickvida at ymail.com> wrote:


Hello wrenches,

I am hoping some of you might have some experience with the GE flat tile
bipv modules from around 2006. We are dealing with a ground fault issue and
would like to figure out what to expect. Thanks in advance for your
comments.

Nick Vida
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