In the UK, Fluke has a growing demand for high-precision handheld devices that can measure photovoltaic (PV) systems.

The number of solar installations in the UK doubled last year and doubled again by 2030. British Solar is a mature trade organization that is cooperating with 230 companies in the solar and energy storage value chain to increase the UK’s solar storage capacity to 40 GW.  

This dynamic growth places an increasing demand for technicians who know how to effectively troubleshoot photovoltaic systems. Clamp meters are usually used in the installation and commissioning phases and when completing maintenance and troubleshooting.

The newly launched Fluke 393 FC clamp meter is the world's only CAT III 1500 V rated true rms clamp meter, which enables technicians to perform measurements in DC environments (such as industrial solar farms). This tool is tailor-made for testing and measuring solar photovoltaic applications, and its key features include:  

Hans-Dieter Schuesele, Fluke Europe, Middle East and Africa region application and technology expert, said: "The transition to renewable energy is accelerating. It is vital for installers and maintenance personnel to use the correct instruments. Not only can solar farms be brought online quickly. , And they can continue to work at their best performance. As the world’s first solar clamp meter to provide a 1500 V CAT III rating, Fluke 393 FC enables technicians to work safely while ensuring that the use of solar energy has a bright future ."

As solar power distribution systems and loads become larger and more complex, the impact on the safety of technicians becomes more and more important. It is important for technicians to understand the level of protection built into the tool and how to use it when completing maintenance and troubleshooting. According to Fluke, troubleshooting a photovoltaic system usually focuses on the four parts of the system: photovoltaic panels, loads, inverters, and combiner boxes.

The technician should first check the output of the entire system at the metering system or inverter. Before starting troubleshooting, check and record the input voltage and current levels of the inverters in the array.

The combiner box is a good place to troubleshoot the system, because the individual wires in the module are brought back to the system. Each module may have a fuse, which should be checked with Fluke 393 FC.

Wiring problems and loose connections may cause the module to generate too low voltage. You can use Fluke 393 FC to check the wiring connections at the junction box.

Fluke 393 FC provides audio polarity warning when testing Voc. If the polarity is reversed, it may mean that other circuits in the combiner box are inadvertently connected in series, causing the voltage to exceed the maximum input voltage of the inverter.  

First use Fluke 393 FC to check the load switch, fuse and circuit breaker to see if the voltage at the load connection is correct. Next, check the fuse and circuit breaker. Find and replace the fuse or tripped circuit breaker. If the load is a motor, the internal thermal circuit breaker may trip, or there may be open windings in the motor. For testing purposes, plug in another load and see if it is operating normally.

As with any electrical system, check for broken wires and any loose connections. Clean all dirty connections and replace all bad connections. With the power off, check and repair any ground faults. If any fuse blows or the circuit breaker trips again, the short circuit needs to be located and repaired.

If the load still does not operate normally, use Fluke 393 FC to check the system voltage at the load connection. The wire diameter may be too small and needs to be increased. This will show up as a low voltage on the load and solve either by reducing the load on the circuit or running larger wires.

The inverter converts the direct current from the photovoltaic system into alternating current for use in the building. For troubleshooting on the AC side, please use Fluke 393 FC to check the inverter's output voltage and current level. Many of these systems have displays that indicate the current inverter and system performance. Because Fluke 393 FC produces true rms readings, you can use voltage and current to measure and record power output in kilowatts (kW). If possible, use the inverter display to display the current total energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and compare it with the energy recorded during the last inspection. When troubleshooting the DC side, use the Fluke 393 FC to check the DC power supply and save the reading to the Fluke Connect™ app on the phone.

If the inverter cannot produce the proper power, it may be a blown fuse, a tripped circuit breaker, or a broken wire-all of which can be easily checked with Fluke 393 FC.

When troubleshooting the combiner box, amperage measurement and calculation are essential to determine whether the photovoltaic array is operating normally. Measuring current on a single array or combined current measurements will help determine if the module is malfunctioning.

The thin jaw design of the Fluke 393 FC clamp meter ensures that multiple conductors are used in the jaw for combined current measurement, even in narrow or crowded spaces such as inverters or combiner boxes.

For more information about the 393 FC CAT III 1500 V true rms clamp meter with iFlex, please visit: https://www.fluke.com/en-gb/product/electrical-testing/clamp-meters/fluke-393 -fc-cat-iii-1500-v-true-rms-clamp-meter

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