What are AC and DC Disconnects and Why Do You Need to Use Them? AC and DC disconnects are essential components necessary for placing a solar panel system on your roof and connecting it to your home. Installing AC and DC disconnects properly will ensure that the home of your customer is kept safe while also allowing incoming power to be quickly shut off if necessary. What Do AC and DC Disconnects Do? As the name implies, the primary purpose of these disconnect switches is so that you can shut off the incoming flow of power from your solar panels. DC Disconnects: The DC disconnects (sometimes referred to as the PV disconnects) are placed between the solar panels and the inverter or, in many cases, are built into the inverter. Inverter: The inverter is the piece of equipment that switches incoming power from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current) so that your home can use the power. An inverter is needed because the power generated by solar panels is DC (direct current), but homes are wired for AC (alternating current). AC Disconnects: After power goes through the inverter, it comes out as AC (alternating current). To protect the home in case of emergency, AC disconnects are installed after the inverter. AC disconnects are typically mounted on the exterior wall of the customer’s home near the electric meter. Why Are Disconnects Necessary? 1. In the event of a fire in or around a customer’s home, using the AC disconnects to stop the inflow of power can lower the spread of fire and prevent the threat of electrocution to those entering the home. 2. In the event of severe weather, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, or severe electrical storms, a customer will be able to disconnect their system at the DC disconnects to lower the chance of weather causing damage to their inverter and the home’s interior wiring. 3. In the event of a flood, being able to shut power off is critical. Both disconnects should be used at this time. 4. If electric company crews are doing work in the area, such as replacing electrical lines or installing transformers, being able to disconnect your solar system from the grid is an important safety feature. Sizing your AC and DC Disconnects Disconnects come in a variety of sizes, from 30amp all the way up to 800amp, so proper planning of your system is necessary to determine which disconnect sizes you need.
In order to know which size is necessary, you’ll want to know the size and power output of your PV system. If you’d like to design a system by hand, here are a few variables you’ll need to consider: 1. Voltage 2. Circuit load 3. Amps/breaker size 4. Wiring and cable sizes All of these components come together to determine the overall load size, which will determine the disconnect sizes you need. Once you’ve designed the system, you’ll then need to submit your designs for permitting. Standing out to your solar customers For homeowners, having a professionally designed solar system is about safety and savings. AC/DC disconnects are a crucial safety feature that can help you sell a homeowner on the solar panel system you’re building for them. Additionally, by sizing your disconnects properly, you can make sure you’re giving the homeowner the best price for their needs. AC/DC disconnects are just one piece of the BOS (balance of system) components you’ll need for a successful solar installation. Visit https://aic.in/oem-cabinet-manufacturing/ for Defence Standard Cables India, cable tray, starters for motors, cable glands, cat6 cable, patch cord, surge arrester, frls cable, cat6 cable price, shielded cable, motor starter single phase, siemens contactor, cat5e cable, flexible cable, double compression cable gland, control cable, siemens mcb, instrumentation cable, ethernet cable price, cat6 cable price 100 meter, cable gland single compression, submarine cable india.