The PV envelope
Connector assembly
- Use approved PV cable, 4–6 mm², 4 mm² (12 AWG) recommended; strip 7 ± 0.5 mm.
- Crimp the metal terminal with the DC crimping tool; assemble nut → waterproof collar → terminal until it clicks; pull gently to confirm engagement.
- Meter the string voltage and confirm polarity with a multimeter.
- Insert into the inverter PV input until it clicks.
The 0.5 A DC-switch arc rule
If DC inputs are reverse-connected or the inverter is faulty, do not turn off the DC switch until string current is below 0.5 A:- Measure string current with a clip-on DC ammeter.
- Above 0.5 A → wait for irradiance to fall until it reads below 0.5 A.
- Only then open the DC switch — and unplug the PV strings afterwards so the array cannot re-energize the fault next morning.
PV DC protection
DC reverse-polarity protection, insulation-resistance detection and DC surge protection are built in; a DC isolator is part of the design and external DC SPD per the site’s surge exposure remains good Kent practice.Common mistakes
- A paralleled string landed on the 20 A MPPT of a 10/12 kW unit.
- Opening the DC switch under fault current — the exact arc scenario the 0.5 A rule prevents.
- Strings designed to 850 V at STC that exceed 1000 V Voc on a cold morning.
- Mixed-brand PV connectors on the supplied counterparts.
When to escalate
Escalate to Kent New Energy service only — through your registered Kent partner channel or the Kent service desk details on your work order. Do not contact any third-party or component-manufacturer support line for a Kent-branded system: tickets outside the Kent channel are not tracked, not covered, and can void warranty handling.