Grounding a DC battery bank...

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cupcake
cupcake Solar Expert Posts: 254 ✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Hi Pals, cupcake here,


What is the proper way to ground a DC batter bank hooked up in parrallel?


If there is an internal short in the bank (or on the terminals) is there a way to redirect the wanton current into the 'ground'? like on an AC system?

Thanks for the help everyone... and Happy Hanukkah✡ .

--Cuppy
~1.5Kw PV in parallel
Morningstar MPPT-60 controllers (2) in parallel
3 Trojan tr-1275's in parallel 450ah total
Samlex 2,000 watt 12-volt inverter hardwired


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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,448 admin
    #2
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    Re: Grounding a DC battery bank...

    Is this a cabin or trailer? (Don't remember).

    More or less, tie the negative bus to a ground rod (if cabin). Tie "other metal" (AC electrical boxes for inverter power, cold+hot water+propane line to ground rod.

    If is a metal trailer/RV, then tie everything to Chassis/Common ground point.

    For battery bank, you have the option of a master fuse/breaker to the battery + Bus. And/or each battery string has a fuse or breaker to the + battery bus. Note the fuse(s)/breaker(s) should not exceed the rated current of your battery cabling (fuses/breakers protect the wire in the case of a short circuit).

    The Ground wire from the Battery negative bus should be heavy enough to "pop" the fuse/breaker if there is a short in the system. For example, a 6 AWG cable has a fusing current of ~600 Amps.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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