Shocks when cleaning panels
I read that some folk are getting shocks when cleaning panels. I intend to fit more panels next year on my garage roof which is steel clad and don’t want fried .
is this possible to get shocked, what causes it and how do we prevent it
Is the source verified or is it fake news put about by fossil fuel supporters?
To get a shock you would need to come in contact with the electricity. I suppose this could in principle happen if there is a faulty connector and water got in, but connectors are normally underneath the panels. If your steel clad garage roof is earthed, that would give an additional level of protection.
It seems highly unlikely with an installation that has been correctly done. Of course highly unlikely events do very, very occasionally happen, but if we avoid them entirely then it's impossible to live in any meaningful way.
That said I wouldn't clean solar panels when it's really sunny, but mainly because they will be hot so the water won't wet well.
4kW peak of solar PV since 2011; EV and a 1930s house which has been partially renovated to improve its efficiency. 7kW Vaillant heat pump.
I do know that a neighbour had moss cleaned off their roof by a company using a pressure washer and the guy on the hose got zapped when the mist/spray crossed the solar panels. They had to isolate the panels to finish the job. Don't ask me what the science is!
Posted by: @abernyteI do know that a neighbour had moss cleaned off their roof by a company using a pressure washer and the guy on the hose got zapped when the mist/spray crossed the solar panels. They had to isolate the panels to finish the job. Don't ask me what the science is!
That's plausible imho. A pressure washer might well penetrate the seal on a connector. I use a hose and broom and avoid getting water underneath where the connectors are.
I don't know what effect isolating the panels has, hopefully someone else here does.
4kW peak of solar PV since 2011; EV and a 1930s house which has been partially renovated to improve its efficiency. 7kW Vaillant heat pump.
Posted by: @david999Posted by: @jamespa[quote data-userid="5915" data-postid="37510"
I read that some folk are getting shocks when cleaning panels. I intend to fit more panels next year on my garage roof which is steel clad and don’t want fried .
is this possible to get shocked, what causes it and how do we prevent it
Is the source verified or is it fake news put about by fossil fuel supporters?
To get a shock you would need to come in contact with the electricity. I suppose this could in principle happen if there is a faulty connector and water got in, but connectors are normally underneath the panels. If your steel clad garage roof is earthed, that would give an additional level of protection.
It seems highly unlikely with an installation that has been correctly done. Of course highly unlikely events do very, very occasionally happen, but if we avoid them entirely then it's impossible to live in any meaningful way.
That said I wouldn't clean solar panels when it's really sunny, but mainly because they will be hot so the water won't wet well.
genuine the frame was live, meter on it
genuine the frame was live, meter on itPosted by: @david999Posted by: @david999Posted by: @jamespa[quote data-userid="5915" data-postid="37510"
I read that some folk are getting shocks when cleaning panels. I intend to fit more panels next year on my garage roof which is steel clad and don’t want fried .
is this possible to get shocked, what causes it and how do we prevent it
Is the source verified or is it fake news put about by fossil fuel supporters?
To get a shock you would need to come in contact with the electricity. I suppose this could in principle happen if there is a faulty connector and water got in, but connectors are normally underneath the panels. If your steel clad garage roof is earthed, that would give an additional level of protection.
It seems highly unlikely with an installation that has been correctly done. Of course highly unlikely events do very, very occasionally happen, but if we avoid them entirely then it's impossible to live in any meaningful way.
That said I wouldn't clean solar panels when it's really sunny, but mainly because they will be hot so the water won't wet well.
Live AC or live DC? not that either should happen!
4kW peak of solar PV since 2011; EV and a 1930s house which has been partially renovated to improve its efficiency. 7kW Vaillant heat pump.
Posted by: @jamespagenuine the frame was live, meter on itPosted by: @david999Posted by: @david999Posted by: @jamespa[quote data-userid="5915" data-postid="37510"
I read that some folk are getting shocks when cleaning panels. I intend to fit more panels next year on my garage roof which is steel clad and don’t want fried .
is this possible to get shocked, what causes it and how do we prevent it
Is the source verified or is it fake news put about by fossil fuel supporters?
To get a shock you would need to come in contact with the electricity. I suppose this could in principle happen if there is a faulty connector and water got in, but connectors are normally underneath the panels. If your steel clad garage roof is earthed, that would give an additional level of protection.
It seems highly unlikely with an installation that has been correctly done. Of course highly unlikely events do very, very occasionally happen, but if we avoid them entirely then it's impossible to live in any meaningful way.
That said I wouldn't clean solar panels when it's really sunny, but mainly because they will be hot so the water won't wet well.
Live AC or live DC? not that either should happen!
its mark the sparky on utube and it was 122v ac
Interesting
There is a discussion about this here https://engx.theiet.org/f/wiring-and-regulations/29228/solar-array---grounding and the discussion is consistent with the measured AC potential.
Since it's the IET it's probably trustworthy. If it's true then the guidance has changed but tingling short of a shock is not unexpected. The danger appears to be falling as a result of the surprise not electrocution, but that's no better.
If this is correct it should perhaps be better publicised so there is no surprise
4kW peak of solar PV since 2011; EV and a 1930s house which has been partially renovated to improve its efficiency. 7kW Vaillant heat pump.
- 27 Forums
- 2,495 Topics
- 57.8 K Posts
- 241 Online
- 6,220 Members
Join Us!
Worth Watching
Latest Posts
-
RE: What determines the SOC of a battery?
@batpred - Two observations: 1: Since a USB to RS485 ...
By Transparent , 6 minutes ago
-
Struggling to get CoP above 3 with 6 kw Ecodan ASHP
I've been using this heatpump for two winters now and a...
By GoodbyeGas , 29 minutes ago
-
RE: Humidity, or lack thereof... is my heat pump making rooms drier?
That would make sense. I've found the effects are prett...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 40 minutes ago
-
RE: Testing new controls/monitoring for Midea Clone ASHP
@benson — as @tasos suggests, plotting multiple variabl...
By cathodeRay , 1 hour ago
-
@painter26 — as @jamespa says, it's for filling and re-...
By cathodeRay , 3 hours ago
-
RE: Oversized 10.5kW Grant Aerona Heat Pump on Microbore Pipes and Undersized Rads
@uknick TBH if I were taking the floor up ...
By JamesPa , 14 hours ago
-
RE: Getting ready for export with a BESS
I would have not got it if it was that tight
By Batpred , 15 hours ago
-
RE: Setback savings - fact or fiction?
I also need to correct something I said by mistake earl...
By cathodeRay , 15 hours ago
-
RE: Electricity price predictions
@judith Thanks for sharing, and nice to see how the ...
By Batpred , 16 hours ago
-
RE: Need help maximising COP of 3.5kW Valiant Aerotherm heat pump
@judith thanks Judith. Confirmation appreciated. The ...
By DavidB , 18 hours ago
-
RE: Recommended home battery inverters + regulatory matters - help requested
That makes sense. I thought better to comment in this t...
By Batpred , 19 hours ago
-
Bosch CS5800i 7kW replacing Greenstar Junior 28i
My heat pump journey began a couple of years ago when I...
By Slartibartfast , 19 hours ago
-
RE: How to control DHW with Honeywell EvoHome on Trianco ActiveAir 5 kW ASHP
The last photo is defrost for sure (or cooling, but pre...
By JamesPa , 21 hours ago
-
RE: Plug and play solar. Thoughts?
Essentially, this just needed legislation. In Germany t...
By Batpred , 21 hours ago
-
RE: A Smarter Smart Controller from Homely?
@toodles Intentional opening of any warranty “can of wo...
By Papahuhu , 22 hours ago
-
RE: Safety update; RCBOs supplying inverters or storage batteries
Thanks @transparent Thankyou for your advic...
By Bash , 24 hours ago
-
RE: Air source heat pump roll call – what heat pump brand and model do you have?
Forum Handle: Odd_LionManufacturer: SamsungModel: Samsu...
By Odd_Lion , 24 hours ago
-
RE: Configuring third party dongle for Ecodan local control
Well, it was mentioned before in the early pos...
By F1p , 2 days ago
-
RE: DIY solar upgrade - Considering adding more panels
I know this is a bit old, but it made me wonder what co...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: New Vaillant aroTherm Plus in black - When will it come to the UK?
@majordennisbloodnok Daikin, take note! (In fact, I hav...
By Toodles , 2 days ago
-
RE: Midea ASHP – how to set weather compensation
@mk4 — good work! First, I agree, no evidence of cycl...
By cathodeRay , 2 days ago
-
RE: Solis inverters S6-EH1P: pros and cons and battery options
I don't know about Solis inverters. It isn't a featur...
By Transparent , 2 days ago
-
Daikin Altherma 3 H HT - Freeze Prevention Threshold
Hi. We have an Altherma 3 HT (18kW I think) which, now ...
By RICHARDF5033 , 2 days ago

