> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learning.kent.co.in/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Safety First: Non-Negotiables on Kent Hybrid Systems

> Non-negotiable safety rules for every Kent New Energy job: three live sources, six absolutes, the before-you-start checklist, and common field mistakes.

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.

<Warning>
  **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.
</Warning>

## 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.

<Steps>
  <Step title="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](/safety/isolation-and-shutdown) for the only safe sequence.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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](/safety/ppe-and-tools).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## 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.

<Tip>
  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.
</Tip>

## Common mistakes

<Accordion title="Trusting a dark display as dead">
  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.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Working the DC side because 'it's only low voltage'">
  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.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Letting an unqualified helper make connections">
  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.
</Accordion>

## Related pages

* [Isolation & Shutdown](/safety/isolation-and-shutdown)
* [Electrical Basics for Hybrids](/safety/electrical-basics)
* [PPE & Tools](/safety/ppe-and-tools)
* [Authorized-Only Actions](/safety/authorized-only-actions)