Solar panel disconnect and re-connect. What to do!

[Gavin286]

Hi folks,

I have a single panel that I need to move, but it requires disconnection of one of the wires. What is the correct procedure to follow to disconnect, move and then re connect this panel?

I assume DC switch off, and PV breakers dropped?

Thanks very much!

[Scorp007]

35 minutes ago, Gavin286 said:

Hi folks,

I have a single panel that I need to move, but it requires disconnection of one of the wires. What is the correct procedure to follow to disconnect, move and then re connect this panel?

I assume DC switch off, and PV breakers dropped?

Thanks very much!

I would switch loads off. 

Then switch inverter off. 

Then battery off. 

Then PV off. 

Make sure you don't touch both ends after/during disconnecting. The same when reconnecting. This is no problem if working with MC4's. 

[Gavin286]

16 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

I would switch loads off. 

Then switch inverter off. 

Then battery off. 

Then PV off. 

Make sure you don't touch both ends after/during disconnecting. The same when reconnecting. This is no problem if working with MC4's. 

Great stuff, I'll follow the recommendation thank you!

[Gavin286]

I have these panels: https://solarsupply.co.za/shop/panels-solar/znshine-solar-465w-panel-half-cell-mono-pv-module/

 

Will this be the correct spec cable? The length might be a little long but I can just loop it and secure it to a rafter...

[Againstthegrains]

If you are doing the work yourself, just do it at night when there is no change on the panels

4mm solar cable is perfect for most applications. Unless you have a huge number of panels that require a higher Amperage. 

Just make sure the different brands of connectors are compatible with each other. They should be. You can easily confirm the outside clip is ok, but inside is more important.  There should be no loose internal connections that can ark and melt the plastic connector.

 

 

[Scorp007]

26 minutes ago, Againstthegrains said:

If you are doing the work yourself, just do it at night when there is no change on the panels

4mm solar cable is perfect for most applications. Unless you have a huge number of panels that require a higher Amperage. 

Just make sure the different brands of connectors are compatible with each other. They should be. You can easily confirm the outside clip is ok, but inside is more important.  There should be no loose internal connections that can ark and melt the plastic connector.

 

 

Lately we hear of a number of guys where the MC4 did not make good contact. I had one as well but luckily at the inverter. Feel that there is some resistance as you insert the male into the female before the resistance of the o-ring seal. 

In my case I measured the temp of the connection and knew at some stage the outer would melt. When it happened I could not disconnect it and had to cut the wires off. It was still making contact and no power loss over the connection. 

[Sc00bs]

On 2023/05/15 at 9:38 AM, Gavin286 said:

Hi folks,

I have a single panel that I need to move, but it requires disconnection of one of the wires. What is the correct procedure to follow to disconnect, move and then re connect this panel?

I assume DC switch off, and PV breakers dropped?

Thanks very much!

If you only have one panel it would be max 50V so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

It really only starts becoming an issue when you are working with +300V of DC as the gap the spark can jump starts getting larger @ 50V is pretty small. 

 

[Gavin286]

13 hours ago, Sc00bs said:

If you only have one panel it would be max 50V so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

It really only starts becoming an issue when you are working with +300V of DC as the gap the spark can jump starts getting larger @ 50V is pretty small. 

 

Its a string of 9 panels in series...

[Sc00bs]

1 hour ago, Gavin286 said:

Its a string of 9 panels in series...

Well that's a different story then  , you can get a decent size arc with 400V DC

 

 

[Gavin286]

Crazy! Perhaps I should ask a professional to come and do this panel move for me to make sure its done correctly, and that the MC4's are joined properly...