Questions about Proper Grounding
Solarguy1
Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭✭
Hello all,
I have an off-grid system that I'm installing and have a question about grounding. I have read a lot about it, but I am still confused a bit.
I have panels that will be mounted on Tamarack rails that will be grounded to a grounding rod via #6 AWG solid copper. This is all outside of my structure. My combiner box and inverter will be inside my structure as well as an AC panel.
My question is, how do I ground the inverter and AC panel? Do I tie all of my grounds to the #6 AWG copper? I've read that you only want to have 1 ground as to not have a ground loop. I've also read that you do not want to bring the #6 AWG copper ground from the panels inside the building because it is there for lightning strikes and if there ever was a strike, you don't want it coming inside.
I "think" that I would need a separate grounding rod and ground wire for the inverter and AC panel. I'm imagining that if you had a bunch of panels that were a distance from your house, that your panels and inverter / AC panel would not share the same ground. Am I correct in thinking this?
Lastly, I have read that your batteries should be grounded as well off of the negative. Is this true as well?
My inverter is a Phocos PSW-H-3kW-120/24v if that helps...
Thanks for any input!!!
I have an off-grid system that I'm installing and have a question about grounding. I have read a lot about it, but I am still confused a bit.
I have panels that will be mounted on Tamarack rails that will be grounded to a grounding rod via #6 AWG solid copper. This is all outside of my structure. My combiner box and inverter will be inside my structure as well as an AC panel.
My question is, how do I ground the inverter and AC panel? Do I tie all of my grounds to the #6 AWG copper? I've read that you only want to have 1 ground as to not have a ground loop. I've also read that you do not want to bring the #6 AWG copper ground from the panels inside the building because it is there for lightning strikes and if there ever was a strike, you don't want it coming inside.
I "think" that I would need a separate grounding rod and ground wire for the inverter and AC panel. I'm imagining that if you had a bunch of panels that were a distance from your house, that your panels and inverter / AC panel would not share the same ground. Am I correct in thinking this?
Lastly, I have read that your batteries should be grounded as well off of the negative. Is this true as well?
My inverter is a Phocos PSW-H-3kW-120/24v if that helps...
Thanks for any input!!!
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Comments
If you use 2 ground rods, they must be tied together with heavy wire, ( #4 maybe?)
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
The panels are on the roof of a patio cover.
Is it acceptable to use 2 ground rods? 1 for the panels for possible lightning strikes and 1 for the inside equipment?
Thank you!
google it, there are some fun videos and illustrations about it
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
Another thing I have learned here is that I should keep my combiner box OUTSIDE the structure in case of lightning strikes.
I almost have everything figured out!