Earthing systems for photovoltaic systems
Our products for the perfect earthing of photovoltaic systems
- Flat and round conductors
- Connectors
- Connection terminals
- Earth entries
- Earth rods, ring and foundation earth electrodes
- Corrosion protection
Earthing of PV systems
In Germany, a foundation earth electrode complying to DIN 18014 must be installed for new buildings with on-roof PV systems without a lightning protection system. In the case of on-roof PV systems with a lightning protection system, the requirements of VDE 0185-305-3 (IEC/ EN 62305-3) must be taken into account (earthing resistance < 10 Ohm). With free-standing PV systems, the requirements of VDE 0185-305-3 (IEC/EN 62305-3) must also be taken into account during earthing.
| TYPE A | TYPE B |
|---|---|
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Standardised earthing systems for lightning protection systems
Earthing systems, type A
Type A earthing systems include, for example, screw and ram foundations, if they correspond to the requirements of VDE 0185-561-2 (IEC/EN 62561-2). Here, not only a minimum cross-section according to the selected material is to be maintained, but also mechanical and electrical properties must be taken into account.
Earthing systems, type B
Plate and strip foundations are examples of type B earthing systems. According to VDE 0185-305-3, Supplement Sheet 5, they have a reduced earth impact and should be expanded using additional earthing measures such as grid earthers (20 m x 20 m) or earth rods.
For both cases, OBO offers matching deep earth rods of Ø20 mm or Ø25 mm or wires with Ø10 mm and strips of various dimensions such as 30 x 3.5 mm or 40 x 4 mm in its portfolio.
| 1 | Type: OMEX |
| 2 | Type: BP |
| 3 | Type: Standard |
| 4 | Type: LightEarth |
In the case of foundations with reinforcement steel, a tin-plated or copper-plated earther in the earth is not permitted. In the earth, a high-alloy stainless steel with at least 2% molybdenum content must be used, such as the materials nos. 1.4401, 1.4404 or 1.4571. This is primarily neutral to other nobler or baser materials, thus guaranteeing high system availability.
Functional earthing of metallic substructures
To guarantee functional earthing of metallic substructures or module underframes, VDE 0185-305-3, Supplement Sheet 5, distinguishes between the following situations:
| Situation | Minimum cross-section, copper functional earthing |
|---|---|
| PV system without lightning protection system or PV system with lightning protection system and the separation distance is maintained | 6 mm2 |
| PV system with lightning protection system and the separation distance is not maintained | 16 mm2 |
