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.
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