SHOCKED! by my solar panel!!!

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Sunking
    Solar Fanatic
    • Feb 2010
    • 23301

    #16
    Originally posted by max2k

    My understanding is they simply lifted panel off the pallet and got shocked, the panel was not touching array. Unless OP has lonely high current AC power wire passing nearby as Mike suggested I don't think it is possible to get shocked from the panel voltage even if one of its leads developed short to the frame, there's just no path for that current to return to the other lead.
    Max the only way I can see is if one of the leads shorted to the frame and the other made contact with skin. It is possible. It can be a pinched wire, one of the wire packing insulators came off or was defective.

    Some way or the other you must become in contact with both polarities to receive a schock. Ether defective panel, packing material failure, or something out of the norm. Personally if it were me, and just one panel is get a replacement.

    The only other thing I can think of is Stay Voltage which is caused by the utility or your service needs repair. Stray Voltage usually occurs in a Rural Network where the utility uses a Mult--Grounded-Neutral (MGN) service conductor. The Utility is using dirt as a conductors. Give Dairy Farmers a really hard time as cows will not produce milk or drink water because they are getting shocked.

    Works similar to Step Potential from Lightning and Utility Ground Faults. where the distance between your feet can kill you. As current travels though dirt a voltage gradient is developed along the surface. So it is possible if two people are standing on the Ground. lifting a conductive object like a ladder or solar panel with metal frame could receive a mild shock under the right conditions just like cows when their tongues touch the water or when Farmer Joe connects the Teat Cup.

    OP try this. Open your Main Breaker Panel, take the cover off so you can access the Main Feeder Cables from the utility. Measure Voltage from L1 - G and L2 - G, and L1 - L2. Example if L1 to L2 measures 240 VAC, then L1- G and L2-G should measure 120 VAC. They must be equal. If not, stop, call the POCO and tell them voltage is not EQUAL. You should hear the brakes and tires squealing on the utility truck before you hang up the phone. It would mean your service neutral is Open and the POCO will do one of two things.

    1. If the problem is with their equipment will be fixed immediately on the spot, they will not leave until it is fixed. They cannot leave it as is. They have been sued many times for property damage and death.

    2. If it is your problem they will disconnect your service and leave. After you have made repairs, cal them, they will test and reconnect.


    Last edited by Sunking; 08-06-2017, 02:09 PM.
    MSEE, PE

    Comment

    • bcroe
      Solar Fanatic
      • Jan 2012
      • 5213

      #17
      I agree, it sounds like the utility power is somehow getting into the act. Hard to figure without
      being there; better investigate it immediately. I'm assuming the array isn't wired up and capable
      of producing anything yet. Bruce Roe

      Comment

      • max2k
        Junior Member
        • May 2015
        • 819

        #18
        Originally posted by Sunking

        ...The only other thing I can think of is Stay Voltage which is caused by the utility or your service needs repair. Stray Voltage usually occurs in a Rural Network where the utility uses a Mult--Grounded-Neutral (MGN) service conductor. The Utility is using dirt as a conductors. Give Dairy Farmers a really hard time as cows will not produce milk or drink water because they are getting shocked.

        Works similar to Step Potential from Lightning and Utility Ground Faults. where the distance between your feet can kill you. As current travels though dirt a voltage gradient is developed along the surface. So it is possible if two people are standing on the Ground. lifting a conductive object like a ladder or solar panel with metal frame could receive a mild shock under the right conditions just like cows when their tongues touch the water or when Farmer Joe connects the Teat Cup.
        ...
        interesting possibility, thanks for pointing it out. This would also mean if he and his wife stand at the same spots without holding the panel and each take 1 lead of AC voltmeter in their hands they should see the voltmeter showing some voltage. If they had enough to feel it, it should be enough for voltmeter to show. They can charge money for that show ... but seriously it needs to be looked into and fixed ASAP.

        Comment

        • Sunking
          Solar Fanatic
          • Feb 2010
          • 23301

          #19
          If you can feel it means it is many magnitudes above being able to measure. However Stray Voltages are normal. In a Rural area, everyday life. My guess is a faulty panel.
          MSEE, PE

          Comment

          • NEOH
            Solar Fanatic
            • Nov 2010
            • 478

            #20
            Inquiring minds need to know...
            What was the root cause of this "shocking" experience?
            a) A broken neutral wire in the 240 Volt AC Split Phase wiring (House or out building)?
            c) DC from the panel or array?
            d) Static electricity?

            Comment

            • Mike90250
              Moderator
              • May 2009
              • 16020

              #21
              From,my experience, a "tingle" is always AC. DC gives me a "bite" very different than the tingle, much harsher and painful compared to AC
              Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
              || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
              || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

              solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
              gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

              Comment

              • Murby
                Solar Fanatic
                • Jan 2017
                • 303

                #22
                Originally posted by Mike90250
                From,my experience, a "tingle" is always AC. DC gives me a "bite" very different than the tingle, much harsher and painful compared to AC
                Ever feel a weakish 9 volt battery on your tongue? A gentle tingling.... This felt exactly like a 9 volt battery, except it was on our fingers.. It wasn't strong enough to make us need to let go.. just an odd surprise that caused both our eyes to get wide...


                Comment

                • max2k
                  Junior Member
                  • May 2015
                  • 819

                  #23
                  Originally posted by Murby

                  Ever feel a weakish 9 volt battery on your tongue? A gentle tingling.... This felt exactly like a 9 volt battery, except it was on our fingers.. It wasn't strong enough to make us need to let go.. just an odd surprise that caused both our eyes to get wide...

                  this is location specific effect, science is hopeless here; if I were you I'd invite <politically incorrect reference> to bring place back to our dimension.

                  Comment

                  • Sunking
                    Solar Fanatic
                    • Feb 2010
                    • 23301

                    #24
                    Originally posted by Murby

                    Ever feel a weakish 9 volt battery on your tongue? A gentle tingling.... This felt exactly like a 9 volt battery, except it was on our fingers.. It wasn't strong enough to make us need to let go.. just an odd surprise that caused both our eyes to get wide...

                    I bet your hands were wet and sweaty like your tongue.

                    MSEE, PE

                    Comment

                    • Murby
                      Solar Fanatic
                      • Jan 2017
                      • 303

                      #25
                      Originally posted by Sunking
                      I bet your hands were wet and sweaty like your tongue.
                      No.. not at all.. It was around 70 degree's out and we had a nice breeze..

                      Comment

                      • AmitBajpayee
                        Banned
                        • Jun 2017
                        • 26

                        #26
                        All the cells are encapsulated and protected by the glass but still make sure all the wiring and connections are properly installed and not damaged anywhere. So we can avoid personal or property damage.

                        Comment

                        Working...