Solar Edge optimizers shorted, or not

[MulchP]

Hello

I have a 7.67kw system on my roof. Im not sure of the make of panels but I do have Solar Edge optimizers. This fall I noticed a squirrels nest built up under one panel and was planning on getting up there this spring to get it gone. Im not comfortable getting on my roof in a Minnesota winter. Well you guessed it the damn critter chewed through the wire connecting the panels in series. This in turn caused the nest to catch fire and damage the panel. With the wire cut that branch of the system went down. My installers came out and disconnected the damaged panel and the other panel that the wire connected to. They bypassed the two and connected the system back up and I am now producing, at a lower rate. They are now coming out to replace now.

One thing that I am sure of is that the damaged panel is fried but the company told me that the optimizers that the wire was connected between must be replaced. They did not test them they are just assuming that they were shorted and need replacing. Yes they do not cost that much but I dont like replacing parts that are fine. Very wasteful.

In your opinion would this cause that damage to the optimizers? Is there a way to test them other than connecting and restarting the system?

Thanks
Pat

[emartin00]

They can absolutely be tested, but did the squirrel damage the wire coming out of the optimizer? If so, they need to be replaced to maintain warranty.
Also if the fire was directly under the optimizer, it very well could have been damaged by the heat. It may not be immediately evident, and could potentially fail in a year or two, at which point SE probably wouldn't honor the warranty.
Just replace it and avoid potential problems down the road.

[MulchP]

The wire coming out one and into the other. Ya probably should replace but both?

Thanks

[scrambler]

Optimizers are cheap, so why take the risk. If they fail afterward, the labor cost will be a lot worse than the optimizer itself.
I would bite the bullet for piece of mind...