Earthing

[spacebiscuit]

I'm thinking I should earth down my PV on my flat roof. Can I use 6mm cable - the 10mm seems like it will be hard to work with but I believe is what regs state. Would 6mm do anything in the event of say a lightening strike. My thinking is that 6mm is better than nothing at all?

Other question - does it have to earth down to a rod in the ground or can I tie it into the house somewhere which is already earthed down?

For the record I have retrofitted my panels myself, I'm not sure that they were previously earthed down.

 

[Geoff1946]

Nothing will protect you from a direct lightning strike, so I wouldn't worry about that.
I'll let more knowledgeable members comment on the need for any earthing, (bonding?) but I know my professionally installed system has none.

 

[spacebiscuit]

Ah ok I thought with a lightening strike it was intended to protect the kit rather than me?

Interested to here thoughts - thanks!

 

[7029 Dave]

Ah ok I thought with a lightening strike it was intended to protect the kit rather than me?

Interested to here thoughts - thanks!

Do you have an SPD fitted in your CU

 

[Andy™]

Ah ok I thought with a lightening strike it was intended to protect the kit rather than me?

Interested to here thoughts - thanks!

if you get a direct hit, earthing is going to do nothing. kit will be destroyed either way

 

[binky]

there was never a requirement to earth PV, except under some odd circumstances which I wont go into. Adding an earth bond may actually attract a lighting strike - easier path the earth. The only thing an earth bond does offer is easier fault finding in the event of an insulation fault with the array.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I'm thinking I should earth down my PV on my flat roof. Can I use 6mm cable - the 10mm seems like it will be hard to work with but I believe is what regs state. Would 6mm do anything in the event of say a lightening strike. My thinking is that 6mm is better than nothing at all?

Other question - does it have to earth down to a rod in the ground or can I tie it into the house somewhere which is already earthed down?

For the record I have retrofitted my panels myself, I'm not sure that they were previously earthed down.

Which are the regs you are referring to that suggest a 10mm is required for a lightening conductor??