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Hi, I’m in the process of upgrading my roof top PV array from 12 panels to 18 panels (4 strings to 6 strings). Note that these are roof top mounted and I’m not doing ground mounting for a number of reasons (plus the panels are now mounted). In order to do this, I am changing out the 4 string combiner to a 6 string combiner. Also note that most of the MC-4 connectors of the original 12 panel array are mounted under the array and are not accessible.
So I’m looking for safety advice/tips to do the moving of the live PV wiring from the old combiner to the new combiner. I’m well aware that the load (current flow) needs to be disconnected before opening any connections. Once that load is removed, I plan to move the strings one by one from the old combiner to the new combiner. Each string will have approximately 120vdc with a max current of 10 amps. The max current would be much less as I plan to do this combiner swap in the 3 or 4 hours of morning time when the panels are heavily shaded and should have a max current of about 1 -> 3 amps.
I am thinking I should wear electrical insulating gloves but thin enough that I can actually work effectively. I will be careful as possible but looking for other tips AND advice on good gloves. Given both neg and pos are floating with respect to ground should help things a bit but I know I shouldn’t rely on this.
Please don’t tell me to do a ground mount as that’s not in the cards (my roof top is the only good sun exposure) and don’t tell me to disconnect the MC-4 connectors, as I said, many are inaccessible.
Thanks in advance.
update: I think I will just cover the panels with a heavy tarp. I think I can cover 2 of the 3 panels per string.
So I’m looking for safety advice/tips to do the moving of the live PV wiring from the old combiner to the new combiner. I’m well aware that the load (current flow) needs to be disconnected before opening any connections. Once that load is removed, I plan to move the strings one by one from the old combiner to the new combiner. Each string will have approximately 120vdc with a max current of 10 amps. The max current would be much less as I plan to do this combiner swap in the 3 or 4 hours of morning time when the panels are heavily shaded and should have a max current of about 1 -> 3 amps.
I am thinking I should wear electrical insulating gloves but thin enough that I can actually work effectively. I will be careful as possible but looking for other tips AND advice on good gloves. Given both neg and pos are floating with respect to ground should help things a bit but I know I shouldn’t rely on this.
Please don’t tell me to do a ground mount as that’s not in the cards (my roof top is the only good sun exposure) and don’t tell me to disconnect the MC-4 connectors, as I said, many are inaccessible.
Thanks in advance.
update: I think I will just cover the panels with a heavy tarp. I think I can cover 2 of the 3 panels per string.