Solar Safety

How to Avoid Solar PV Safety Hazards

Solar Safety Carries its Own Risks

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Solar Safety Carries its Own Risks

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Electrocution

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Electrocution

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Rapid Shutdown Switch

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Fires

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Fires

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Circuit Interrupters

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Explosions

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Explosions

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Rapid Shutdown Switch

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Ensure the safety of your workers with equipment is designed for, proven for, and rated for PV electrical hazards

Open Your Fluke Toolbox

How to Avoid Solar PV Safety Hazards

3 Risks & Essential Control Measures

Solar Safety Carries its Own Risks

Photovoltaic (PV) modules carry unique risks that are different than other kinds of energy generation.

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Solar Safety Carries its Own Risks

Your tools and methodsmust account for the 3 most common safety hazards inPV solar panels.

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Electrocution

PV systems can cause fatal electrocution when an electrical current passes through the human body.

RISK

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Electrocution

Short circuits are typically caused by: • Corroded cables • Loose wiring • Improper grounding.

RISK

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Rapid Shutdown Switch

Per the NEC®, rapid shutdown devices must be located at the service disconnect or as a special rapid shutdown switch.

Strings require specialized equipment to be turned off during a short circuit or power outage.

CONTROL METHOD

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Fires

Electrical arc faults are caused by high-power discharges between two or more conductors.

RISK

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Fires

The heat caused by this discharge deteriorates wire insulation. Over time, this degradation may lead to a fire.

RISK

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Circuit Interrupters

Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) outlets or AFCI circuit breakers can detect hazardous low-level arcing currents, reducing fire risk.

Arc faults may not be strong enough to trigger circuit breakers.

CONTROL METHOD

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Explosions

Arc flashes release bursts of superhot gasses and concentrated radiant energy, often when technicians are checking faults.

RISK

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Explosions

Found in large-scale PV arrays, arc flashes occur in energized combiner boxes, medium-to-high voltage switchgear, & transformers.

RISK

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Rapid Shutdown Switch

AC-side Mitigation - Use arc-resistant switchgear to redirect arc flash energy away from personnel and equipment.

DC-side Mitigation - Use multiple string inverters that connect multiple strings in parallel, instead of 1-2 central inverters with combiner boxes.

CONTROL METHOD

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Ensure the safety of your workers with equipment is designed for, proven for, and rated for PV electrical hazards

Choose the right solar testing equipment.

Choose Fluke.

Your tools and methods
must account for the 3 most common safety hazards in
PV solar panels.

Short circuits are typically caused by:

• Corroded cables
• Loose wiring
• Improper grounding.

Per the NEC®, rapid shutdown devices must
be located at the service disconnect or as a special rapid shutdown switch.

Electrical arc faults are caused by high-power discharges between two
or more conductors.

The heat caused by this discharge deteriorates
wire insulation. Over time, this degradation may lead
to a fire.

Arc flashes release bursts
of superhot gasses and concentrated radiant energy, often when technicians are checking faults.

AC-side Mitigation - Use arc-resistant switchgear
to redirect arc flash energy away from personnel
and equipment.