Safety provisions for electrical equipment in a Trina Solar plant (or any solar PV plant) are critical for personnel safety and equipment protection, and must adhere to international and national standards like IEC and local electrical codes

 Safety provisions for electrical equipment in a Trina Solar plant (or any solar PV plant) are critical for personnel safety and equipment protection, and must adhere to international and national standards like IEC and local electrical codes. Key provisions across the transformer, LV area, ACDB, SCADA panel, and HT panel include: 

General Safety Provisions

Certified Professionals: All installation, maintenance, and operation must be performed by authorized, trained, and certified personnel.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Appropriate PPE (insulated gloves, safety glasses/goggles, hard hats, safety boots, arc-rated clothing, safety harnesses for elevated work) must be used at all times.

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): Strict LOTO procedures must be in place to de-energize circuits before any maintenance or inspection work.

Proper Grounding and Earthing: All metallic components, panels, and equipment frames must be properly grounded/earthed in accordance with relevant electrical codes to prevent electric shock.

Signage and Labeling: Clear, standardized warning signs and labels must be prominently displayed on all equipment, panels, and disconnect switches to alert personnel to potential hazards.

Fire Protection System: A comprehensive fire protection system, including appropriate fire-resistant materials and fire extinguishers (suitable for electrical fires), must be available, and personnel trained in their use. 

Specific Equipment Safety Provisions

Transformer

Isolation Transformer: The system design should use isolation transformers at the output of inverters to avoid injection of DC power into the grid and to provide galvanic isolation.

Protective Relays: Equipped with necessary protective measures and relays (e.g., overcurrent, earth fault, reverse power flow) to protect the transformer and the plant from grid disturbances or internal faults.

Physical Security: Transformers should be installed in a secure, designated area with restricted access, often with a foundation and a boundary fence.

LV Area and ACDB (Alternating Current Distribution Board)

Circuit Breakers and Fuses: Use appropriately rated AC circuit breakers and fuses for overcurrent protection.

Surge Protection Devices (SPDs): ACDBs must have SPDs to protect sensitive electronic components from voltage spikes.

Enclosure Protection: Panels should have an appropriate Ingress Protection (IP) rating (typically IP65 or better) suitable for the environmental conditions to protect against dust, water, and accidental contact.

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs): Required in many codes to detect and mitigate dangerous arc faults, which can cause fires.

HT Panel (High Tension Panel)

Interlocking Mechanisms: Safety interlocks to prevent access to live parts and ensure proper switching sequences.

Arc-Resistant Switchgear: Use of arc-resistant switchgear to redirect arc flash energy away from personnel in case of a fault.

Voltage Detectors: Integrated voltage detection systems and use of personal voltage detectors before work.

High Voltage Safety Protocols: Strict adherence to high-voltage safety rules and procedures, defining clear roles for authorized personnel.

SCADA Panel (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)

Remote Monitoring and Control: The SCADA system allows monitoring of plant performance and equipment status (voltages, currents, temperatures, alarms) from a safe distance, reducing personnel exposure to live equipment areas.

Cyber Security: Implementation of robust cyber security measures to protect the control system from unauthorized access or malicious attacks.

Isolation from Power Lines: Data communication cables should be properly routed and isolated from power cabling to prevent interference or safety hazards. 

Top 3 Solar Panel Safety Precautions

30 Jul 2019 — 1. Shock or electrocution from energized conductors. Just as with other electric power generation, PV systems present the risk of shock and electrocu...