[RE-wrenches] Lightning Strike Fries Array

[Gary Bassett]

We had the fortunate luck of having lightning strikes a two Schuco ground mount arrays one with Schuco 180's the other one was with Schuco 230's. In both cases there were damaged diodes on a few there was visable damage to the junction box due to heat. For the most part it required testing of all the diodes.

For the Schuco 230's we replaced the diodes from

[cid:image003.png at 01D09489.3AB20500]

Part # information
621-SBR12A45SD1-T
MFG Part No:SBR12A45SD1-T
Diodes Incorporated Schottky Diode
US HTS:8541100080 ECCN:EAR99 COO:CN

Gary

[cid:55B44DB1-8648-4A44-97C2-50FBD3E2B4BD]

Gary Bassett
Engineering Manager
Hudson Solar
13 Hook Road
Rhinebeck, NY
T: (866) 452-7652 x113
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
HudsonSolar.com

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Wayne Irwin
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2015 7:29 PM
To: Wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Lightning Strike Fries Array

Hello Wrenches,

Today we visited a 10KW residential ground mounted system where there was a recent lightning strike that fried phones, irrigation system, cable and apparently the array.

There was no external visible damage but also no voltage at the combiner. We pulled 10-15 module junction box covers off and only saw clear evidence of damage to one diode. There was no Voc on any of the modules.
While I recognize that Florida is arguably the lightning capital of N America, I have never seen an entire array fried.

Has anyone on the list ever seen an entire array fried?

The modules are Schuco 230's.
Obviously not covered by warranty and Schuco has pretty much bailed out of the US market.

Does anyone have experience repairing these modules?

Any similar experience and/or advice would be appreciated.


Wayne Irwin,
President
License #CVC56695
State Licensed Solar Contractor
Pure Energy Solar International Inc.
Wayne at PureEnergySolar.com<mailto:PureEnergySolar at hotmail.com>
http://PureEnergySolar.com
http://SolarChargingStation.net<https://solarchargingstation.net>
352 377-6527 Office
352 336-3299 Fax
352 316-1637 Cell

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