Solar energy basics

Inverter Safety Manual: Preventing Potential Risks

by liberry on Oct 21, 2024

Inverters have become part of modern life. They provide backup power for caravanning, outdoor camping, and emergency power outages, keeping appliances running without interruption. To extend the life of your inverter and increase its efficiency, it is important to ensure that it is in top condition. The safety process begins the moment you purchase your inverter.

Inverter safety installation

Safe installation of the inverter is critical to the system's proper functioning and the user's safety. Below are some safety tips:

When choosing a location for the inverter, consider factors such as good ventilation, avoidance of direct sunlight, and waterproofing. Avoid exposure to high temperatures or humidity.
Ensure the inverter is securely mounted with appropriate fixings to prevent vibration or tilting.
Install the inverter away from flammable materials to reduce the risk of fire.
When installing the electrical wiring, ensure that it complies with local electrical codes to avoid safety hazards such as short circuits and leaks.
Ensure that the inverter is well-earthed for additional safety.
Avoid placing objects around the inverter and ensure that the surrounding area is well-ventilated to prevent overheating.
Consider installing lightning protection to protect the inverter from lightning damage.
It is best to have the inverter installed and wired by a professional to ensure safety and reliability.

Precautions when using inverters

Avoiding overload

Avoiding overload is one of the most important safety precautions when using the inverter. Prolonged overloading can lead to overheating of the internal components of the inverter and even damage and shorten the life of the inverter. Overheating of the equipment may pose a safety hazard such as fire.

When connecting the inverter, ensure that the total power of the connected equipment does not exceed the rated power of the inverter. Use equipment that the inverter can support. Running high-power equipment can cause the inverter to trip or be damaged. Some equipment may consume more power than expected, so carefully understand the power specifications before connecting equipment to the inverter. Also, switch off unused equipment immediately.

Dealing with emergencies

In a solar system, the presence of an inverter is like a brain. When we use inverters, we may encounter unexpected emergencies.

If you notice any abnormality in the inverter, such as heat, smoke, abnormal noise, etc., stop using the inverter and disconnect the power immediately. Troubleshoot the problem while ensuring your safety. Paying attention to the status of the inverter's indicator lights can help identify the inverter's performance.

⚠️Some inverter failures:

As with any electrical device, overuse of solar panels can lead to inverter failure. Ensuring that the inverter is running smoothly at all times will help prevent this.
Overcurrent and overvoltage can also cause inverter failure. These are caused by natural phenomena (such as lightning or solar flares) and some can be man-made.
Ultrasonic vibrations caused by friction of internal parts can cause the inverter to overheat, resulting in inverter failure.
Capacitor wear is one of the most common causes of inverter failure, as electrolytic capacitors have a limited life and are temperature-sensitive.

Read more about the abnormal operation of the inverter: Common Inverter Failures and Their Solutions.

Note: If you cannot identify the problem or correct the anomaly, contact an expert or the inverter manufacturer immediately for advice and action. Do not disassemble the inverter yourself without understanding the internal structure and operation of the inverter to avoid more serious damage or safety hazards.

Maintenance and cleaning

Inverters require regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure that they function properly. Over time, dust and dirt tend to build up on the inverter. The first thing to check is whether the surface of the inverter needs cleaning.

Step for cleaning the inverter:

1️⃣Tools: Prepare a soft bristle brush, clean cloth or sponge, water, and a mild detergent.

2️⃣Disconnect the power supply: Always disconnect the inverter before cleaning to avoid the risk of electric shock.

3️⃣Surface cleaning: Gently wipe the surface of the inverter with a damp cloth or sponge dampened with water and a small amount of detergent. Avoid using too much water, as this may get inside the inverter.

4️⃣Vent cleaning: Clean the vents and heat sinks of the inverter with a soft bristle brush to ensure that dust and debris do not block the vents.

5️⃣Drying: Dry the surface of the inverter with a clean, dry cloth to ensure that no water droplets remain.

6️⃣Switch on the power: After confirming that the inverter is completely dry, reconnect the power supply to ensure that the inverter operates normally.

After surface cleaning, inverters require more specialized maintenance:

1️⃣Periodically inspect the inverter's cable connections for signs of damage, loose connections, or corrosion to ensure that the cable connections are strong and reliable. Curled, broken or damaged wires not only reduce the efficiency of the inverter, they can also lead to accidents such as short circuits and fires. Any damaged wires must be replaced immediately.

2️⃣Use the inverter regularly to maintain the charge, it is recommended to discharge the inverter at least once a month. Even if there is no power failure for a whole month, try to use the appliances on the inverter batteries and discharge them completely.

3️⃣Regularly check the environment around the inverter to ensure that it is well-ventilated and not exposed to excessive heat or humidity. Excessive heat and lack of airflow can lead to humidity, which in turn can lead to rust. Preventing this and protecting the inverter will ensure that your solar system runs more efficiently.

4️⃣Check the operating status of the electrical equipment and the output voltage of the inverter once a month, and observe whether the output voltage fluctuates too much or is unstable. If an abnormal output voltage is found, contact qualified personnel in good time to investigate and repair the cause.

5️⃣It is important to ensure that the inverter's cooling system is working properly, in particular by regularly checking the inverter's fans and cleaning or replacing the filters to prevent overheating and malfunctions.

Inverter operating status, performance, and production data can be monitored and managed in real-time; using the inverter's monitoring functions. These monitoring functions can help the user to better understand and optimize the operation of the inverter. Faults that occur during the operation of the monitoring system can provide data and information to the user promptly.

Inverter battery maintenance tips:

Battery maintenance during inverter maintenance is an important part of ensuring proper inverter operation and backup power reliability.

1️⃣Battery health check after full charge

Battery health checks include state of charge, visual inspection, voltage measurement, terminal connection, and temperature. And make sure the battery is fully charged when performing the inverter battery maintenance checks. Avoid misinterpretation or inaccurate test results caused by an undercharged battery.

2️⃣Clean the battery terminals regularly

As with lead acid batteries, the batteries produce lead sulfate during normal operation. Lead sulfate deposits on the battery terminals and reduces the conductivity of the inverter. If not cleaned properly with warm water and a nylon brush, the efficiency of the unit will decrease over time. Always disconnect the battery before cleaning the battery terminals to ensure safe operation!

3️⃣Regularly check the acidity

In lead-acid batteries, acid is one of the vital components, besides lead. The float indicator in the inverter shows the acid level, which should be kept equal in all batteries. If the level in any of the float indicators is found to be low, it can be topped up with distilled water, but make sure that you do not allow excess acid to overflow the indicator.

The color of the acid will reflect the health of the inverter. If the acid coming out of the vent when it is opened is colorless, the inverter is working properly. However, if the acid coming out is brown or black, it may indicate that the battery is contaminated or nearing the end of its life.

Following these safety tips will ensure safe and reliable use of your inverter. Remember that safety is always the priority when working with electrical equipment.