High DC and AC voltage on Solar Input Terminals to Case on SPF5000 ES

[idrisalan]

I recall seeing a Guy from the USA where he got a nasty electric shock from the solar input terminals on his SPF5000ES Grow Watt inverter.
The thing that was surprising is that no solar power was going into the input terminals. I was not impressed with the way he was testing this by shorting each leg of the DC input to the case of the inverter and getting quite large sparks.
Anyway I thought I would check my own inverter by measuring the voltages on the input DC lines to the case. By the way I am in Australia so do not have to worry about split phase issues like in the USA. With no solar input going into to PV input terminals of the inverter I measured 206V DC on each line both the positive and negative lines with respect to the case. This seems potentially dangerous to me. Sure zero volta across the lines but a dangerous voltage (no idea of its source impedance) with respect to the case (ground) with no solar power going in? I checked my other inverter and its the same.
Surely this is a design fault.
Anyway see what other people say

 

[timselectric]

This is normal.
The AC side and DC side of high frequency AIO's are not fully isolated.
This is why we always recommend turning off all power sources, before working on any part of the system.

 

[idrisalan]

Thanks for this Tim what does acronym AI0 stand for? I think I would put an isolating DC breaker at the inverter, but of course that would add to the expense of the product.
Do you know where I can get detailed schematics for these SPF5000 Growatts. I really like them sure they are not as good as the Victrons the Victrons are too expensive for me and really heavy. Thanks for the reply. Alaways carry my voltmeter with me and wear gloves.
Alan

 

[timselectric]

AI0 stand for?

All In One
Inverter/SCC (solar Charge Controller)/AC charger/ and a transfer switch, in a single unit.

 

[timselectric]

Do you know where I can get detailed schematics for these SPF5000 Growatts.

Not sure about schematics. But I have completely disassembled one of mine and posted pictures in my build thread. If you just want to see what's inside.
They aren't the best pictures, as I wasn't intending them to be educational.

Post in thread 'My build thread' https://diysolarforum.com/threads/my-build-thread.35602/post-449012