How to use the Seaward / Benning solar tester, and how to test an array without one.

There are many ways to skin a cat, this is a convenient and quick one.
Sometimes you will need a full I/V curve tester, this is what you need for the initial testing of a system or track down an insulation resistance (Riso) fault.
Featuring the side of my nose, and me needing a hair cut.

[@Tunzbig]

Thanks for your video mate

[@michaelnicholas9750]

MFT Have you short circuit the pos and neg to earth for IR test? IR method two lead pos to earth/neg to earth if you read greater than 999 would this indicate no earth or fault with the array? As the the panels has resistance. Great vid 👍🏻

[@tceng9449]

@@michaelnicholas9750 you short circuit the array (as in connect positive and negative to each other) then measure the insulation resistance from that combination to earth. One lead of the tester goes to the shorted string, the other goes to some earthed metal. Similar to how you sometimes combine L&N to perform an insulation resistance test on an AC circuit. You want a high insulation resistance reading, a low value suggests that the insulation is breaking down.

[@michaelnicholas9750]

@@tceng9449 Thank you With our service sheets on residential PV services requires dc positive to earth ir test fallowed with dc negative to earth ir test. 40 M to 400 M is a good reading greater than 999 could indicate no earth, below 1 M will indicate damaged panel or mc4/ cable . Recently completed the LCL course unfortunately the assessor couldn’t explain the fundamentals on ir readings on PV array. Short circuit ir test greater than 999 satisfactory. First test Positive to earth, fallowed by a second test negative to earth is a satisfactory to be greater than 999. Really appreciate your feedback 👍🏻