Hi Guys 

I noticed that my PV Panels DC Surge protectors are not connect to an Earth.

I understand that lightning is very difficult to protect against and that no protection is 100% effective but I would like to mitigate my lightning risk as much as possible. 

I have two questions:

1. I am assuming that they should be connected to an earth to work properly, is that correct? 

2. Would it be safe to connect them to my households earth or should I be hammering in a separate earth spike for them? 

Any other suggestions are welcome.

 

Edited September 25, 20232 yr by Sc00bs

> 2. Would it be safe to connect them to my households earth or should I be hammering in a separate earth spike for them? 

I have heard that this is ok, but I was advised that a standard 1.5 mm ac extension cable is not ideal. I had a plan to use solar dc 6 mm cable for this, into the earth pin of a house socket, however currently, I'm just going to get an earth spike installed because it seems like it is not that expensive.

Having said that, I too would also be curious to hear from members on this forum.
Maybe this kind of question is too DIYi-sh and no one wants to offer advice lest someone deems them later liable or something?

Edited October 3, 20232 yr by VicB7

SPD's in "combiner / Protection Box" just before inverter input will be connected to house earth bar. I use 10mm Green/Yellow house wire.

Not the same as panel earth to earth spike.

Oh boy, this topic can get a load of different opinions going. 😂

The sparkies came, tried to hammer in a spike. It wouldn't go deep enough due to house foundations launching a protest action, so they hooked up some 10mm green/yellow house wire from the earth of the house to the PV fuse/surge/switch box instead, and all was well.

This topic has been discussed a few times on the forum.

 

I recall the outcome being that it is ideal to have the solar panel mounting frame connected to both an earth spike as well as earth bar in the DB board.

Then there should be a SPD in the DC protection / combiner box which will be connected to the earth bar in the DB board.

I have mine installed as per the above.

 

I believe that having all of this in place is unlikely to protect your equipment from a direct lightning strike but having it in place should leave insurance with no reason to not pay out in such an event.