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Electrical Troubleshooting

General electrical system diagnostics, fault isolation, and NEC compliance verification

NEC 202324 Issues

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NO POWER / COMPLETE OUTAGE Total loss of electrical power to structure

Critical 15-45 min ▶

Initial Assessment

MultimeterVoltage Tester

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Safety Warning

Always assume circuits are energized until verified dead. Use appropriate PPE including insulated gloves and safety glasses.

✓

Complete loss of power to entire structure - no lights, outlets, or appliances functioning

✓

Verify issue is not localized - check multiple rooms and circuits

✓

Check for any burning smell, smoke, or visible damage at panel

REF: ELEC-001

↓Step 1

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Check Main Breaker Status Inspect main service disconnect

Easy2-5 min▶

Locate main breaker - typically 100A-400A breaker at top or bottom of panel

Check breaker position:

ON position: Handle fully up/engaged
OFF position: Handle fully down
TRIPPED position: Handle in middle - indicates fault condition

If tripped: Turn fully OFF first, then back to ON

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If trips immediately after reset: Short circuit present - DO NOT attempt to reset again. Call licensed electrician.

Condition	Likely Cause	Action Required
Trips immediately	Short circuit	Isolate fault, call electrician
Trips under load	Overload	Reduce loads, check amperage
Won't stay on	Failed breaker	Replace breaker
Hot to touch	Loose connection	Immediate inspection required

REF: ELEC-001-A

↓If Breaker OK

🏠

Verify Utility Power Present Check utility service entrance

Medium5-10 min▶

Check utility meter display - Should show active reading or digital display

Verify neighbors have power - If neighborhood outage, contact utility

Test voltage at main lugs (if qualified): Should read 240V ±5% between hot legs

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High Voltage Warning

Service entrance testing involves potentially lethal voltages. Only qualified personnel should perform these tests.

# Expected Voltage Readings at Service Entrance
L1 to Neutral:  120V ±5% (114V - 126V)
L2 to Neutral:  120V ±5% (114V - 126V)
L1 to L2:       240V ±5% (228V - 252V)
N to Ground:    <2V (bonded at service)

REF: ELEC-001-B

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PARTIAL POWER / SOME CIRCUITS DEAD Some rooms have power, others do not

Warning10-30 min▶

✓

Some rooms/circuits have power, others completely dead

✓

Half of 240V appliances not working (dryer runs but doesn't heat)

✓

Lights dim or excessively bright in some areas

↓Check First

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CRITICAL: Lost Leg Condition One phase of 240V service is missing

CriticalImmediate▶

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Utility Emergency

A lost leg condition can cause dangerous overvoltage on some circuits (up to 240V on 120V circuits). Turn off main breaker immediately if suspected.

Test both legs at main panel: L1 to Neutral: 120V, L2 to Neutral: 120V, L1 to L2: 240V

If only 120V total: Lost leg confirmed - turn OFF main breaker

Contact utility immediately - This is a utility-side emergency

Measurement	Normal	Lost Leg
L1 to N	120V	0V or 180V+
L2 to N	120V	0V or 180V+
L1 to L2	240V	120V or variable

REF: ELEC-002-CRIT

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GROUND FAULT / GFCI KEEPS TRIPPING Repeated ground fault protection activation

Warning20-60 min▶

✓

GFCI outlet won't reset or trips immediately after reset

✓

Multiple outlets on circuit not working

✓

Nuisance tripping during rain or high humidity

↓Isolate

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Load Isolation Procedure Systematically identify fault source

Easy10-20 min▶

Unplug EVERYTHING on the affected circuit

Reset GFCI with no loads connected

If GFCI holds: Problem is in a connected device - reconnect ONE device at a time

If GFCI still trips: Fault is in wiring - proceed to wiring inspection

✓

Common fault sources: Outdoor receptacles with moisture, refrigerator compressors, old appliances, damaged extension cords

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Solar PV Troubleshooting

Photovoltaic system diagnostics, performance optimization, and fault isolation

NEC 69018 Issues

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ZERO SOLAR PRODUCTION System producing no power despite sunlight

Critical20-60 min▶

✓

Inverter display shows 0W output during daylight hours

✓

Monitoring app/portal shows no production

✓

Inverter fault LED illuminated or error code displayed

↓Step 1

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Check Inverter Status Display Read error codes and status indicators

Easy2-5 min▶

Check inverter display panel for error codes or fault messages

Note LED status indicators (Green = OK, Red = Fault, Flashing = Warning)

Verify all disconnect switches are in ON position (AC and DC)

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Common Sol-Ark Error Codes

E01: Grid Fault, E02: PV Overvoltage, E03: PV Undervoltage, E04: Battery Communication Error, E05: Overtemperature

↓AC Present

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Check DC Voltage from Solar Array Verify PV strings are producing voltage

Medium10-20 min▶

DC Voltage Testing

DC MultimeterMC4 ToolInsulated Gloves

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DC Voltage Warning

Solar panels produce DC voltage whenever illuminated - cannot be "turned off". Use appropriate DC-rated PPE. DC arcs do not self-extinguish like AC.

Turn OFF DC disconnect switch before accessing connections

Measure Voc at inverter DC input: Sol-Ark 12K/15K: 150V - 500V MPPT range

Zero volts indicates: DC disconnect OFF, blown string fuse, damaged wiring, or failed rapid shutdown

Low voltage indicates: Heavy shading, failed panel(s), damaged bypass diode, or poor connection

String Config	Panel Voc	Expected Voc
8 panels	49.5V	396V
10 panels	49.5V	495V
12 panels	41.0V	492V

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ESS / Battery Troubleshooting

Energy Storage System diagnostics for ECHO modules and Guardian systems

LiFePO432 Issues

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BATTERY NOT CHARGING SOC not increasing despite power available

Critical20-45 min▶

✓

State of Charge (SOC) remains static despite solar/grid available

✓

Inverter shows 0A charging current to battery

✓

BMS communication error on inverter display

↓Step 1

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Check BMS Communication Verify inverter can communicate with battery BMS

Medium10-20 min▶

Check communication cable: Verify CAN/RS485 cable is properly connected at both ends

Inspect BMS LED indicators: Green steady = Normal, Green flashing = Charging, Red = Fault

Check inverter battery menu: Should display battery voltage, SOC, and temperature

Verify battery type selection: ECHO: CAN 500K baud, Lithium (CAN), Protocol: PYLON/US2000

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ECHO 3.0 Communication Settings

Sol-Ark Battery Type: Lithium (CAN), Protocol: PYLON/US2000, Baud Rate: 500K

↓Comm OK

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Check Battery Temperature LiFePO4 has temperature charging limits

Easy2-5 min▶

✓

LiFePO4 charging range: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)

✓

Below 0°C: BMS prevents charging to protect cells from lithium plating

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Above 45°C: BMS reduces or stops charging to prevent thermal damage

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ECHO batteries with built-in heaters will self-heat when below 5°C if enabled

Function	Min Temp	Max Temp
Charging	0°C (32°F)	45°C (113°F)
Discharging	-20°C (-4°F)	60°C (140°F)
Storage	-10°C (14°F)	45°C (113°F)

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BMS FAULT / BATTERY ALARM Battery management system protection activated

Warning15-45 min▶

✓

Inverter displays battery fault or alarm code

✓

Battery LED shows red or fault pattern

✓

System entered protection mode

↓Common Faults

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Cell Overvoltage / Undervoltage Individual cell voltage out of range

Critical▶

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Cell Voltage Protection

Operating LiFePO4 cells outside their voltage range can cause permanent capacity loss. Our LiFePO4 batteries contain no cobalt or magnesium, are water-friendly, and do not explode.

Overvoltage (>3.65V/cell): Stop charging immediately. Check charge voltage settings.

Undervoltage (<2.5V/cell): Stop discharging. Charge gently at low current (0.1C max).

Check cell balance: All cells should be within 50mV. Large imbalance may require top-balance.

Condition	Cell Voltage	Action
Full Charge	3.60-3.65V	Normal - stop charging
Normal Range	3.20-3.45V	Normal operation
Low	2.80-3.00V	Charge soon
Critical Low	<2.50V	Immediate attention
Overvoltage	>3.65V	Stop charging

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Sol-Ark Inverter Troubleshooting

Sol-Ark 12K, 15K, and 30K hybrid inverter diagnostics

Sol-Ark28 Issues

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Sol-Ark Error Code Reference Complete list of error codes and meanings

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Code	Description	Severity	Action
E01	Grid Voltage Fault	Critical	Check grid voltage, contact utility if out of spec
E02	PV Overvoltage	Critical	Check string voltage, may exceed 500V limit
E03	PV Undervoltage	Warning	Check PV connections, shading, panel condition
E04	Battery Communication Error	Warning	Check CAN cable, BMS settings, battery power
E05	Over Temperature	Warning	Improve ventilation, check ambient temp
E06	Overload	Warning	Reduce connected load, check for shorts
E07	Short Circuit	Critical	Disconnect loads, inspect wiring, find fault
E08	Ground Fault	Critical	Check PV array, isolate strings to find fault
E09	Arc Fault	Critical	Inspect all DC connections, check for damage
E10	Fan Fault	Warning	Check fan operation, clean or replace

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Guardian System Troubleshooting

Guardian E2.0 and Tower integrated energy storage systems

Guardian22 Issues

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Guardian System Overview

Guardian systems integrate Sol-Ark inverters with ECHO battery modules in a pre-configured package. Most issues can be resolved using the ESS/Battery and Sol-Ark sections.

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Guardian System Specifications E2.0 and Tower system reference

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Model	Capacity	Inverter	Max Output
Guardian E2.0	32 kWh	Sol-Ark 15K	15 kW
Guardian Tower	48 kWh	Sol-Ark 15K	15 kW
Guardian Tower XL	64 kWh	Sol-Ark 30K	30 kW

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Network & Monitoring Troubleshooting

WiFi connectivity, monitoring portal, and communication issues

Connectivity15 Issues

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INVERTER NOT CONNECTING TO WIFI Unable to establish network connection

Easy10-20 min▶

Verify WiFi network is 2.4GHz (Sol-Ark does not support 5GHz)

Check WiFi signal strength at inverter location

Verify SSID and password are entered correctly (case-sensitive)

Check router settings - disable MAC filtering or add inverter MAC

Try static IP configuration if DHCP issues suspected

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MONITORING PORTAL NOT UPDATING Data not syncing to cloud monitoring

Easy5-15 min▶

Verify inverter shows connected status on local display

Check internet connectivity at site

Verify monitoring account is properly linked to inverter serial number

Check for firewall blocking outbound connections on ports 80/443

Data may have up to 15 minute delay - allow time for sync