Skip to main content
Wiring PV into the Kent G3: the electrical envelope, which string lands on which MPPT, and the arc-safety rule that is printed in bold in the source manual for a reason.
DANGER — PV strings are live in daylight. Verify string open-circuit voltage is within the platform limit and polarity matches DC+ / DC− before any connector goes in.

​
The PV envelope

The MPPT inputs are asymmetric on the 10 and 12 kW models: 20 A + 40 A. High-current or paralleled strings must land on the 40 A MPPT. The string plan names the MPPT for every string, and commissioning checks it.

​
Connector assembly

  1. Use approved PV cable, 4–6 mm², 4 mm² (12 AWG) recommended; strip 7 ± 0.5 mm.
  2. Crimp the metal terminal with the DC crimping tool; assemble nut → waterproof collar → terminal until it clicks; pull gently to confirm engagement.
  3. Meter the string voltage and confirm polarity with a multimeter.
  4. 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:
  1. Measure string current with a clip-on DC ammeter.
  2. Above 0.5 A → wait for irradiance to fall until it reads below 0.5 A.
  3. Only then open the DC switch — and unplug the PV strings afterwards so the array cannot re-energize the fault next morning.
Damage from wrong operation here is excluded from warranty. A clip-on DC ammeter belongs in every Kent G3 commissioning kit.

​
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