[Saf5000]

Hi there I have 2 190W panels in parallel that continually trip the 40A breaker between the panels and the renogy dcc50s charger.
Here’s the run down for the panels from equip yourself .co.nz

Monocrystalline PERC Silicon
Size: 1480 x 676 x 30mm
Weight: 12kg
Max System Voltage: 1000/1500V
Max Power: 190W
Short Circuit Current: 10.7A
Open Circuit Voltage: 23.2V
Rated Current: 10.38A
Rated Voltage: 18.30V

Now I may be completely wrong but I can’t see why these panels are able to send more than 40A down when the panels combined at max should only send 20A max. Also I think my charger will only pull 25A max.

Length between panels and charger is 1.5m. Using 8awg good quality tinned copper with hydraulically crimped terminals.

What am I missing here? It’s tripping almost every clear day


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[Nut17]

It does sound like a dodgy circuit breaker to me. I am using a 63 amp one of these https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000529 ... hweb201603_ on each of the two 600 watt solar banks we have. I have my panels in series, with around 20 amps @ 60 volts.

[David Wallace]

It does sound like a faulty circuit breaker. Can you provide the circuit breaker details?

[David Wallace]

To make 100% shore, if you can, measure the current draw through the circuit breaker.

[Paul-Carter]

has it done this from the start or is this a new event on an up until now functioning system?

[Saf5000]

Thanks for the heads up team.

I’ve spent the last few hours looking at what’s going on and it’s regularly tripping at around 20A so I guess if anyone is after a free 20A breaker I’ve got one going.

This was a cheap one of trademe for around $20 I think, anyone got store or brand recommendations on a suitable breaker?


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[David Wallace]

Since your solar panels have a open circuit voltage of less than 24 volts you can get away with using a standard 230vac MCB. I use the Hager brand as they are cheep and do the job. See link for my recommendation.
http://m.hagerelectro.com.au/energy-dis ... 0/2002.htm

[Neddy]

The problem is caused by a faulty circuit breaker.

"Since your solar panels have a open circuit voltage of less than 24 volts you can get away with using a standard 230vac MCB."
No, you can NOT. It is imperative that you use a DC circuit breaker in such a situation. AC breakers don't have the "arc-breaking" functionality that DC breakers need.

" I use the Hager brand as they are cheap and do the job. See link for my recommendation."
Yes, they are cheap, but they are not built for the job.

Maybe Saf5000 inadvertently used an AC circuit breaker?

Neville.