grounding/earth

lionheartlakes

Hi Guys,
Gounding, which is the correct way? My system at the moment is has 8mm ground wire running from
Battery negative - to earth rod
controller to earth rod
panels to earth rod

is this correct?


MorningStar TriStar 45 MPPT Solar

BB.

Re: grounding/earth

lionheartlakes wrote: »

Hi Guys,
Gounding, which is the correct way? My system at the moment is has 8mm ground wire running from
Battery negative - to earth rod

Yes.

controller to earth rod

Yes, if connected to the "ground/earth" symbol that grounds the metal box of the charge controller--no other point (unless specified in the manual).

panels to earth rod

Yes, if attached to the metal frame of the panels.

No, if connected to the "negative" (or positive) terminal of the panels/solar array input of the charge controller.

First, you usually want to make sure you don't get parallel current paths... For example, you could end up with more DC load/charging current going through the ground connection and instead of the negative/return wire (avoid ground loops).

Also, having multiple loops like this can make an installation more susceptible to lightning strikes (the loops act like antenna and bring the strike energy into your electrical system.

Also, some of the latest charge controllers (Xantrex XW MPPT 60 amp for sure--possibly the new Morningstar 45/60 amp) measure the PV array current in the negative lead--grounding the negative solar array terminal will cause functional problems with the charge controller.

-Bill