So, have been trying to figure out (here and here) how best to "short circuit" and "surge" protect my system. Have gotten lots of great info and am trying to apply what I've understood to my particular set up.
Here's my first crack at it (below). Pleeeze ... if you see something I've gotten totally wrong, don't hesitate to say so in no uncertain terms. You won't hurt my feelings.
This is a simplified version of a more detailed schematic I've posted elsewhere (see my sig). What follows after that is a description of the short and surge scenarios that I think this design will cover and that references the circled letters.
As you can see, I've decided not to isolate my system and grounded the NEG side, so GRND and NEG below are the same thing. I've chosen this so as not to have to break both POS and NEG sides at all the breakers.
Shorts to GRND/NEG scenarios:
Surge protection scenarios: My PV cables in the event of a nearby strike are probably the biggest source for these types of events (won't ever be on shore power). I've installed an SPD to clamp surges seen at the NEG/POS buses, but wondering if it wouldn't also make sense to add another one at the combiner box for my solar panels on the roof (?)
I'm illustrating a GRND BUS in my diagram, but IRL, green wires from Inverter and SPD would simply terminate on the NEG bus bar, yes?
Also, FYI, if I'm ever camped on a mountain top or some other high lightning risk spot, plan to actually ground the truck frame to Mother Earth with a strap and a 4-foot copper spike driven into the ground.
Will move on to the specs for all these devices once I've been able to confirm I've got the right ones in the right spots.
Here's my first crack at it (below). Pleeeze ... if you see something I've gotten totally wrong, don't hesitate to say so in no uncertain terms. You won't hurt my feelings.
This is a simplified version of a more detailed schematic I've posted elsewhere (see my sig). What follows after that is a description of the short and surge scenarios that I think this design will cover and that references the circled letters.
As you can see, I've decided not to isolate my system and grounded the NEG side, so GRND and NEG below are the same thing. I've chosen this so as not to have to break both POS and NEG sides at all the breakers.
Shorts to GRND/NEG scenarios:
- A > B: This is the only scenario I haven't a clue how to address. What would happen to my panels and DSSRs if/when this happens? Should I fuse the POS line at the panel?
- B > D, E, G: Breaker #1 trips.
- C > B, D, E, G: DC Fuse at Battery blows.
- E > F: Breaker #2 trips.
- G > H: Breaker #3 and/or GFCI trips.
Surge protection scenarios: My PV cables in the event of a nearby strike are probably the biggest source for these types of events (won't ever be on shore power). I've installed an SPD to clamp surges seen at the NEG/POS buses, but wondering if it wouldn't also make sense to add another one at the combiner box for my solar panels on the roof (?)
I'm illustrating a GRND BUS in my diagram, but IRL, green wires from Inverter and SPD would simply terminate on the NEG bus bar, yes?
Also, FYI, if I'm ever camped on a mountain top or some other high lightning risk spot, plan to actually ground the truck frame to Mother Earth with a strap and a 4-foot copper spike driven into the ground.
Will move on to the specs for all these devices once I've been able to confirm I've got the right ones in the right spots.