This post expands on the seventh item in our Solar Panel System Check-Up Guide: PV Circuit Breaker Operation.

As part of all of our solar inspections we take a look at your PV circuit breakers making sure they’re doing their part to keep things safe and efficient.

What is a Circuit Breaker?

If a fuse is the easygoing buddy in electrical circuits, then a circuit breaker, called a “CB” by the pros, is like the superhero version – a real champ! The cool thing about CBs is that they’re resettable. Fuses just blow; circuit breakers have an impressive long life, performing hundreds and thousands of operations. Of course it comes with a bit more cost, but you get what you pay for! Also, circuit breakers are the go-to for handling those higher currents. Super handy, right? 😊

Circuit breaker testing is like giving your electrical system a health check. We evaluate each switching component's performance and the tripping system's overall effectiveness. Basically, we analyze how much current the trip coil consumes while the breaker is doing its thing. This helps us spot any mechanical or electrical issues that could mess with the breaker's function and safety.

Now, let's talk about the fun part – the types of tests we perform:

1. Connection Tests: We make sure the breaker has a solid electrical connection and isn't overheating.

2. Overload Tripping Tests: We crank it up to 300% of the breaker rating to see if it opens automatically. Talk about putting it to the test!

3. Contact Resistance Tests: We measure the resistance across each breaker pole to check for any unusual wear and tear.

4. Instantaneous Magnetic Tripping Tests: This ensures that the magnetic feature is on point and will trip the breaker when needed.

How often should you test your circuit breakers?
We recommend a full inspection every one to three years, with an annual check on each breaker’s operation. Depending on your system’s age, you might want to test more often to stay on top of things.

And guess what? Solar Specialty Group has got the tools and expertise to make it all happen. We offer dependable circuit breaker testing solutions. We regularly check for overloads and electricity flow, visually inspect for damage, and if you sense heat or smell burning, hit that main power switch pronto.

Trust us for all your testing and solar pv inspection needs! Curious to know more? Reach out to us today — call 808.854.9539 and let’s power up! 😊