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Victron SCC requires external GFPD??

rhino

Solar Wizard
Joined
Jun 6, 2020
Messages
2,555
Location
Minnesota
It appears in order be code compliant in a residential install in the USA, any SCC from Victron appears to require you to purchase an external Ground Fault Protection Device. Is this true? I was specifically looking at the SmartSolar 250/70 and don't see anything related to arc fault or ground fault protection built-in. If this is true this adds considerable amount of cost to this solution.

Was looking at Victron because of all their networking and easy integration with other systems (their protocol is open source for communication with it so even the Chargery BMS can tell it to turn charging/loads off).
 
Ok.. Found this in the manual itself,
The USA National Electrical Code (NEC) requires the use of an external ground fault protection device (GFPD). These MPPT chargers do not have internal ground fault protection. The system electrical negative should be bonded through a GFPD to earth ground at one (and only one) location.
This seems to make any of the Victron SCCs too expensive.. since I only know of 2 option for adding that.. Either a MorningStar 600V GFPD which is another $350(!), or something like a Midnite 50A 300VDC ground fault detector which is "only" $100. That brings the Victron SmartSolar 250/70 to "only" about $900 :cry:
 
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