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Hybrid systems carry three live sources at once — PV, battery, and grid. These rules are not advice; they are the conditions of working on Kent equipment. Read them before you touch anything on site.
For trained/authorized installers only. Kent New Energy inverters carry lethal voltages and must be installed and serviced only by qualified electrical or service personnel experienced with such voltages.

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The six absolutes

Every one of these applies on every job, every time. There are no exceptions for small jobs, quick looks, or simple tasks.
1

Assume all three sources are live

PV makes voltage in any daylight, the battery is always ready, and the grid can return without warning. Isolation means all three — not just the grid breaker. See Isolation & Shutdown for the only safe sequence.
2

Wait 5 minutes after switch-off

The inverter holds residual voltage after powering off. Wait the full 5 minutes to discharge before opening any cover. A dark display does not mean discharged — capacitors do not care what the screen shows.
3

Never break DC under load

Do not unplug PV connectors or battery cables while current is flowing. Shut the inverter down and isolate in the correct sequence first. DC isolators are not load-break switches unless specifically rated for load-break duty.
4

Hot surfaces — no touching in operation

The Kent G3 heat-sink can reach 75 °C in normal operation. Keep combustibles away and never touch the heat-sink while the unit is running.
5

No cover, no exceptions

There are no user-serviceable parts inside a Kent hybrid inverter. Covers come off only for Kent-authorized work, and only after full isolation and the complete discharge wait.
6

PPE on, metal off

Wear personal protective equipment through the entire job. Watches, rings, and metal jewellery come off for battery work — bare metal across 51.2 V at pack currents is an arc-flash event, not a mild shock. See PPE & Tools.

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Before you start any job

Run this checklist before tools come out on every single visit — installation or service.
  • You are trained and authorized for this specific platform (Kent M1 and Kent G3 are different).
  • You have this knowledge base or the printed pack for the exact model on site.
  • Your CAT III multimeter, DC clamp ammeter, and PPE are present and confirmed working.
  • Someone responsible on site knows you are working on the system and when you expect to finish.
Test your multimeter on a known live source before using it to verify dead. A meter with a flat battery or a broken lead will read zero on a live conductor.

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Common mistakes

The display going blank after shutdown tells you the control power is off — nothing more. The DC bus capacitors and the battery remain energized until the full 5-minute discharge wait has elapsed and you have meter-verified the conductors. Always use a meter; never rely on the display.
Battery DC at 51.2 V typically will not shock you through dry skin. Hundreds of amps through a dropped spanner is a different matter entirely — it welds tools and starts fires in seconds. Treat all battery and PV DC work with the same respect you give high-voltage AC.
Supervising from a distance does not transfer competence to the person making the connection. Only trained, authorized personnel make electrical connections on Kent equipment, every time.