Besides the NEC code, will someone please explain in detail why the DC side of a solar array need to be grounded with the AC inverted side of the electrical system. I have two 2400 watt arrays pole mounted that supply a 48v dual xantrex 4024 inverted electrical system. I am being told that I must ground the two arrays directly to the AC side of the system. When I originally installed it I placed ground rod adjacent to the structure housing the electrical equipment which served the system well until I later connected the PV system AC output to a newly constructed home. I grounded the inverters only to the home system and left the disconnect box and the rest of the DC system grounded to the independent of the house system.
I have been informed that I must disconnect the independent dc ground and connect all grounding to a single earthen ground. I do not want however, any possible lighting strike on my panel array to go any further than that. One would think that the massive 6 galvanized 12 foot poles buried 4 foot in ground would suffice. I have surge arrestors in place at the combiner boxes on the array poles. Yet I say again all the DC grounds But I did ground the DC electrical components to a central copper earthen ground at the structure housing all the electronics.
Will someone please explain the benefit of combining the two?
I have been informed that I must disconnect the independent dc ground and connect all grounding to a single earthen ground. I do not want however, any possible lighting strike on my panel array to go any further than that. One would think that the massive 6 galvanized 12 foot poles buried 4 foot in ground would suffice. I have surge arrestors in place at the combiner boxes on the array poles. Yet I say again all the DC grounds But I did ground the DC electrical components to a central copper earthen ground at the structure housing all the electronics.
Will someone please explain the benefit of combining the two?