2.8 kw 12volt solar pannel earthing wire

roger15
roger15 Registered Users Posts: 1
Hi I have 22 12volt 120 watt panels wired to 24volt configuration does anybody know (watt size cable), and general advice about earthing them I already have the surge protectors on the cables down to the charger
thanks all roger jones
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,599 admin
    If you are in an area where lightning is likely to hit, I would suggest that 6 AWG or heavier wire is good. 8 AWG and lighter has been known to "fuse".

    If you are not in the US, here is a handy conversion chart:
    http://www.technick.net/public/code/cp_dpage.php?aiocp_dp=guide_awg_to_metric
    AWG NumberØ [Inch]Ø [mm]Ø [mm²]
    6/0 = 0000000.58014.73170.30
    5/0 = 000000.51713.12135.10
    4/0 = 00000.46011.7107
    3/0 = 0000.41010.485.0
    2/0 = 000.3659.2667.4
    1/0 = 00.3258.2553.5
    10.2897.3542.4
    20.2586.5433.6
    30.2295.8326.7
    40.2045.1921.1
    50.1824.6216.8
    60.1624.1113.3
    70.1443.6610.5
    80.1283.268.36
    90.1142.916.63
    100.1022.595.26
    110.09072.304.17
    120.08082.053.31
    130.07201.832.62
    140.06411.632.08
    Make sure you run the 6 awg straight or in nice rounded turns--Sharp corners can cause the lightning to take different paths.

    Off Grid Grounding Technique?
    Another Question, this time about Lightning
    Lightning Protection for PV Systems

    From other past posts here, Windsun (admin/owner of NAWS), he said that most of lighting induced failures he saw were in the Inverters' AC output section.

    Towards the end of this thread is a very nice discussion of proper generator grounding.

    -Bill



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