What is a lightning arrestor?

Lightning (surge) arrestors are designed to absorb voltage spikes caused by electrical storms (or out-of-spec utility power), and effectively allow the surge to bypass power wiring and your equipment.

Does transformer 4 have a lightning arrester?

Only Transformer 4 includes an elbow mounted lightning arrester. On the secondary side of the transformer, each inverter skid includes AC low voltage surge protection device (SPD) and at the inverter MPPT inputs DC SPDs. AC and DC SPDs were a selected option for purchase from the inverter manufacturer per standard practices.

What happens if lightning strikes a PV inverter?

Only the inverter will be damaged if the lightning strikes at point B. However, the inverter is typically the most expensive component within a PV system, which is why it is essential to properly select and install the correct SPD on both the ac and dc lines. The closer the strike is to the inverter, the more damaged the inverter will be.

Can a PV system be installed on a building with a lightning protection system?

If the PV system is installed on a building with an existing lightning protection system, the PV system must also be properly included in the lightning protection system. The inverters are classified as having Type III (class D) protection (limited protection).

Are lightning arrestors and surge protectors a substitute for good grounding?

Lightning arrestors and surge protectors are designed to protect electronic equipment by absorbing electrical surges. However, these devices are not a substitute for good grounding. They function only in conjunction with effective grounding. The grounding system is an important part of your wiring infrastructure.

Does a PV inverter have overvoltage protection?

The inverter is manufactured with internal overvoltage protection on the AC and DC (PV) sides. If the PV system is installed on a building with an existing lightning protection system, the PV system must also be properly included in the lightning protection system.