grounding a small DC/AC system? at The Alternative Energy Store

grounding a small DC/AC system?

Posted by Ken Hall on October 06, 2008, 02:25:23 AM

Re: grounding a small DC/AC system? (Reply #5)

Todd
With your PV on a dwelling unit, you should have Ground Fault Protection on it. A common place to install this is in a DC load center.
You should also have a DC disconnect. Your remote on/off switch for the inverter does not count as a disconnect.

You might want to download the Xantrex manual on PV fault protection, and read it. There are some good diagrams.
http://store.altenergystore.com/Enclosures-Electrical-and-Safety/Miscellaneous-Electrical-Parts/Ground-Fault-Protection/Xantrex-Pvgfp1-Ground-Fault-Brkr-100A-122448V/p2202/
Then ask any additional grounding questions that you may have.

Your current bonded grounding rods can take both the ac and dc grounds.

Yes, your ac neutral should be bonded to ground at some point downstream of the inverter.

I didn't see (and you have not mentioned) any ac overcurrent protection. I am hoping that you have at least an inline fuse, somewhere.

Ken

Posted by Todd K on October 07, 2008, 10:19:19 PM

Re: grounding a small DC/AC system? (Reply #6)

I plan to make following changes.
- Connect PV Panel grounds straight to secondary ground rod, which is bonded to primary electrode
- Run wire same size as largest wire in system from primary ground rod up to DC ground bus, which will have wires connected from each inverter ground, equipment grounds, and neg side of battery bank.
- Bond neutral to ground in AC fuse panel and then either bond AC ground bus to Dc ground bus? Or run a direct wire from AC ground bus to primary electrode?

-Install 100A circuit breaker for my main 300 watt truesine inverter, 200A breaker for modified sine 1750 watt inverter, which will give me a fuse and DC disconnect for both inverters.

-Install
- 5A breaker in AC Fuse box
-15A breakers will remain for each PV panel, charge controller to battery, and Charge Controller to DC Loads.

Look good?

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grounding a small DC/AC system?

Posted by Ken Hall on October 06, 2008, 02:25:23 AM

Posted by Todd K on October 07, 2008, 10:19:19 PM

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