photovoltaic electrical installations (Solar Panels)

[SamFIRT]

Thanks for the assistance in identifying the root cause of the problem chaps......

Old Sol....... I was missing that.   

[Dinnertime Dave]

I

The main issue I had was how to isloate the power.  

Surely, this is quite simple.  You just turn the Sun off.  I am confident that LFB would have someone capable of doing that, though it might need authorisation from a group manager or above (or a watch manager elsewhere in the England, but a crew manager in Scotland).

Looking at panels and enforcement how do you Fire risk assessors record their existence, would you accept inverter in the means of escape. Whilst perhaps not a general fire precaution would you recommend a firefighter switch as per article 37. I understand that you can fit a DC cut off.

[SamFIRT]

I understand that you can fit a DC cut off.

They have to be fitted with a DC isolator switch Dave (cut off). However the DC circuits remain live all the time there is light on the PV modules (panels on the roof) so, as has already been said, the DC circuits remain live up to the isolator. Some research shows that even the light from fire produces significant voltages. Basically each module will produce approximately 35-40 Voc. Strings of modules are connected together in series. This means the rule of thumb is count the panels on the roof and x 40 to obtain the likely voltage entering the property ( for a string system; micro inverters are different).  My research shows that fires can occur in the DC isolator and that this can be delayed by many months as the root cause deteriorates. Sorry I can't post a 30,000 word thesis on here... 

[Dinnertime Dave]

Thanks Sam