Post by b***@gmail.comPost by EcnerwalMy new Instapark� 50W Mono-crystalline Solar
Panel says "Do not disconnect under load."
Why?
Are they concerned about sparks in the connectors?
High voltage transients wiping out a
semiconductor?
Do they mean disconnect at the panel or even at
the solar controller?
If you wanna know what they mean, why not ask them, rather than us?
If so how do you disconnect them without waiting
for night?
Use a blanket. Not exactly rocket science.
--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by
Please don't feed the trolls. Killfile and ignore them so they will go away.
yer a bit ruff there mate, have a brewsky
Wait till it's a sunny day, and face your panel to the sun.
Now, hold the end connections about two feet from anything flammable (well,
everything, really) and very carefully touch them together, (that will produce a
momentary 'splat') then pull the connectors apart, slowly. You could get arcing.
See how far you get before the arcing stops.
For a 50W panel, it may be a short display, (and possibly fry the panel) but
consider this -
Put ten of these 50W solar panels in series, and the arcing could be a couple of
centimeters. Great fire starter
if you ever do the same to just one connector on a 1.5Kw array (eight 50V
panels) mounted on the roof of a house during a sunny midday, then -
I'd suggest wearing insulated gloves, and wear welder's glasses to protect your
eyes. (UV is also produced).
It may be a good idea to have an electrician with a powder fire extinguisher
standing by. (You may get a surprise and drop the cables, and they're still arcing)
400 Volts (eight 50V, 200 watt panels) capable of providing about 4 amps while
arcing is really something to see, AND IT'S CONTINUOUS (the sun is shining,
right). While the arc is maintained, the air around the arc is ionised, which
allows the arc to extend. I've seen a Solar array produce an arc about 80mm.
IF you keep the arc going for a minute or two, then pull far enough apart to
stop the arcing, the cables will be bloody hot, mate, and the plastic connector
coverings will turn into a molten mass.
THEN you will understand "DO NOT DISCONNECT UNDER LOAD".
And that's why the signage is put on even 50W panels.
As has been pointed out, covering your 50W panel during daylight with a large
towel (blanket, coat, pillow, your shadow) will kill the power. Logical...