A solar system and its components must meet certain minimal criteria in order to be installed and declared safe, much like any other industry.
By allowing a whole solar panel installation to be essentially switched off from a centralized location and rendered harmless, Solar Panel Isolation System adds an extra level of security, especially for residences located in regions prone to bushfires or flooding.
An isolator switch is a type of high-voltage switch used in high-voltage circuits. It is a switchgear without an arc extinguisher that is primarily used to disconnect a circuit with no load current, isolate the power source, and provide an obvious disconnection point in the open state to allow for safe examination.
In the closed condition, it can reliably pass normal load current as well as short-circuit fault current.
It can’t switch off the load current or the short-circuit current since it lacks a particular arc extinguishing device. As a result, the isolation switch can only be turned on after the circuit breaker has been turned off. To prevent serious equipment and personal accidents, operating with a load is strictly prohibited.
Government, insurers, and solar industry organizations are interested in ways to improve safety by buying solar isolator switches on sale at PV Connections since the number of solar PV installations has increased dramatically in recent years and is projected to continue to grow in the future.
How do I select an appropriate photovoltaic DC isolating switch?
1. Environment & Installation
The temperature, level of protection, and level of fire protection in the workplace should all be determined by the environment.
In general, a decent PV DC isolator switch can be securely utilized at temperatures ranging from -40°C to 60°C. In general, the external DC isolating switch’s protection level should be IP65, and the built-in DC isolator switch should ensure that the equipment is also IP65.
The fire rating of the housing box or main body must be UL 94V-0, whereas the handle must be UL 94V-2. Users can select the suitable mode based on their specific demands. There are three types of installation: panel, base, and single-hole.
2. String of Panels Rated Current and Voltage
Both maximum voltage and current of the panel string should be used to pick the PV DC isolator switch. If a user is familiar with the parameters of photovoltaic inverters, particularly inverter manufacturers.
The maximum voltage and current of the photovoltaic string to be isolated must be considered when determining the rated value of the isolator switch, and these parameters must be adjusted according to the current standard’s safety factor. For the isolator switch, this should be the minimum needed rating.
3. Choosing a System Voltage
The DC isolating switch’s rated working voltage should be equal to or higher than the system’s needs. The single-phase inverter is usually connected to a system voltage of 600V, while the three-phase string inverter or centralized inverter is connected to a system voltage of 1000V or 1500V.
Conclusion
It has once again advised solar buyers to be careful when selecting a solar installation to maintain their systems with professional maintenance. Solar energy systems, on the other hand, require little upkeep. Having a certified professional inspect and test the system every five years – isolators will be tested as part of this process.
