How to ground wire 120 watt panel?

John XW NY

Hi ,

Does anyone have a link for how to ground wire a single 120 watt monocrystaline panel correctly?:-) :roll::cool:


John

Windsun

Re: How to ground wire 120 watt panel?

See http://store.solar-electric.com/gbdbtsopagrl.html

niel

Re: How to ground wire 120 watt panel?

if we are talking about grounding the frames then the connector windsun has shown would be used to run the ground wire from the pvs. this would go as direct to the ground as is possible with no sharp bends. many installations use the largest wire size that is used in the system to run that ground, but for your case of a single pv then #8 copper wire minimally would suffice. of course this shall end to an 8ft or larger copper clad ground rod with the appropriate connection. i prefer a connector like this due to the wire being significantly smaller than the pipe.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ground+rod+clamp&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&cid=419855476213652543&ei=1da8S5WzD4zawwW6_8izCA&sa=title&ved=0CCYQ8wIwCDgA#p
small wires can slip out of this type of connector.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ground+rod+clamp&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&cid=12906347841664267394&ei=1da8S5WzD4zawwW6_8izCA&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p

dagr51

Re: How to ground wire 120 watt panel?

Around here (SW Michigan) we are REQUIRED to use the second one (CP 34) for direct burial. We call them "acorns".

audredger

Re: How to ground wire 120 watt panel?

Here in CA we must also use the second one unless, it go to a water pipe.

stevend

Re: How to ground wire 120 watt panel?

niel wrote: »

this would go as direct to the ground as is possible with no sharp bends.

Why no sharp bends? How sharp do you mean? I know there are specs for how sharp a corner you should make with different wires but this sounds like you might have another reason.
-Steve

nsaspook

Re: How to ground wire 120 watt panel?

stevend wrote: »

Why no sharp bends? How sharp do you mean? I know there are specs for how sharp a corner you should make with different wires but this sounds like you might have another reason.
-Steve

You want to reduce inductance. A lightning strike has a very high pulse rate and needs a very low impedance ground to shunt it. Flat copper plate works best or very short, fat, straight wire.

Ground strap.
That small wire looped around the big one is 3/0 cable.

niel

Re: How to ground wire 120 watt panel?

by sharp bends i mean points that are created that could aim the lightning energy in a direction you don't want it to go in as lightning can jump easilly. you don't want points like this ^ but a slow bend like this (. these bends should also not go side to side if it can be avoided as you always want it going in a downward direction if possible.

ground straps are great, but a wire will be fine too as straps are a bit expensive comparatively.