[RE-wrenches] finding array ground faults

[Bill Brooks]

Marco,

 

This should be fairly straightforward. If the whole roof is truly grounded,
you have nothing to worry about. If it is not well grounded, then you have
cause for pause.

 

I would recommend the new Megger MIT410 (or420 or 430) device. It has a 50V
setting which is hugely beneficial for testing surge arrestors as well as PV
arrays. 

 

I assume this does not have an obvious fault, or you would not have asked.
If you can't find it with a dry megger, it is time to get out the garden
sprayer with a mild soap solution and start spraying down the array
methodically, one section at a time, while someone else operates the megger.
With all that grounded metal, it should be easy to find. Ground is your
friend when searching for ground faults.

 

Bill.

 

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Marco
Mangelsdorf
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2013 9:57 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: [RE-wrenches] finding array ground faults

 

Hoo boy....I've got a tough one here.  Trying to troubleshoot an array
ground fault with a system that has 14 strings mounted on a metal roof with
the whole roof and metal framed building being common to ground.

 

Can anyone recommend any diagnostic tools out there to troubleshoot and
locate ground faults?

 

Thanks,

marco

 

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