What kind of ground faults are primarily detected by most inverters?

Most inverters are designed to primarily detect DC ground faults. In a photovoltaic (PV) system, the direct current (DC) generated by the solar panels is converted into alternating current (AC) for use in homes and businesses. Since the PV array operates on DC, any ground faults occurring within the DC circuit are crucial to identify, as they can lead to safety hazards such as electrical fires or equipment damage.

DC ground faults occur when there is an unintended connection between a DC conductor and the ground, which can introduce significant risks. Inverters are equipped with protective mechanisms to monitor for these faults and can automatically disconnect from the system if a fault is detected. This is important for maintaining the safety and reliability of the solar power system.

While AC ground faults can occur, they are typically managed by different protective devices such as circuit breakers, and earth ground faults are usually differentiated from DC ground faults in terms of measurement and detection methodologies. Therefore, the focus on detecting DC ground faults is a key function of most inverters within PV systems.