Arc and ground fault detection & interruption solutions

SolarBOS, Inc. unveils the industry’s first Arc Fault Detection and Interruption (AFDI) combiner box, as well as the first true Ground Fault Interruption (GFI) solution for PV systems. The threat of PV systems starting fires is an unfortunate reality. There’s a real danger of grounded PV systems creating a condition known as a “double ground fault,” in which the positive side of an array essentially shorts to the negative side of the array through the equipment ground conductor. In most cases, the inverter’s GFI is incapable of detecting one of the ground faults or preventing the ground wire from catching fire.

The new AFDI combiner allows system integrators to meet the letter of 2011 NEC in a cost-effective and reliable manner. SolarBOS’ AFDI combiner box has a module that detects series arcs and automatically disconnects the ungrounded conductor from the rest of the system, breaking the circuit, which stops the arc and prevents a fire from starting. The SolarBOS AFDI combiner can also be configured to work with a Ground Fault Interruption (GFI) device or system to open the ungrounded output of the combiner box when a ground fault is detected.

SolarBOS | www.solarbos.com