In the technical specifications of inverters, we often see the term "protection level", the more common ones are IP65 and IP66, so what is the IP protection level?
The IP protection level (Ingress Protection Rating) is a standard established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to define the protection effectiveness of the housing of electrical equipment against foreign objects (such as dust, tools, fingers, etc.) and water. The rating consists of two numbers, the first of which represents the degree of protection against the intrusion of solid foreign objects, and the second number indicates the level of protection against the intrusion of liquids. The higher the value, the stronger the protection capability.
The inverter has a protection level of IP65 and above, which means that the sealing performance of the inverter is reliable, and each inverter has successfully passed the strict airtightness test before leaving the factory.
However, during the machine failure repair process, we noticed that many users' inverters had foreign objects inside, such as insects, dust, etc. If the above situation occurs, it may cause machine failure and fail to generate electricity normally; in more serious cases, it may even cause damage to the machine. Therefore, the installation and sealing of the inverter on site is also very important. Especially when the inverter is installed outdoors or in a humid environment, a good seal can effectively prevent moisture, dust and other contaminants from entering the device, thereby avoiding corrosion and damage to circuit boards and electronic components.
To ensure the sealing performance of the inverter, it is recommended to pay attention to the following matters during installation.
Use dust plugs
The photovoltaic (PV) input terminals of the inverter are usually designed with a certain margin, so in most cases, the terminals are not fully connected. When there are unused terminals, it is recommended to use the dust plugs provided with the device and insert them into the vacant PV terminals of the inverter to prevent dust from entering.
Firm interface
When connecting the USB interface, you must ensure that it is installed in time and tightened firmly. On the contrary, if you do not plan to use the interface, you should properly cover the protective cover of the USB interface.
Reduce cable gaps
When installing the AC output port, it is recommended to ensure that the sealing ring of the inverter AC waterproof cover is firmly tightened. At the same time, the gaps between the cables and the gaps between the cables and the sealing ring should be minimized, and additional sealing measures should be taken, such as using fireproof mud to fill the gaps or electrical tape to seal to prevent the intrusion of water vapor, insects and dust.
In fact, many photovoltaic system failures originate from the design and installation stages. Therefore, if comprehensive and detailed considerations can be made in the early stage and the construction is in place, this will not only ensure the stable operation of the photovoltaic system, maximize the service life of the equipment, but also ensure the safety and reliability of the power system. At the same time, this also provides great convenience for subsequent maintenance work.