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3 Common Problems with Inverters and How to Fix Them

For the most part, a solar inverter will continue to operate after installation without the need for much maintenance. However, it is essential to keep in mind that your Victron Energy inverter is an advanced piece of technology with a built-in computer. Like any technology of this level, it can have some errors every now and then. If your inverter's been acting up, keep reading to learn 3 of the most common issues inverters have and how to fix them quickly.

Overheating

The electronic components within your solar inverter must be protected from excessive heat; if they overheat, they can be damaged, and you'll see a significant reduction in energy production. A thorough assessment in your solar system's design phase should determine a location with sufficient ventilation to prevent overheating. However, it is also a good idea to check your inverter's cooling periodically while operating to ensure it's working correctly.

If you notice your inverter overheating, be sure to clean or replace the dust filters and remove any plant life or other objects that might be obstructing airflow to the inverter. If this continues to be a problem, contact a professional about relocating your inverter.

No Restart after Grid Failure

When the city grid fails, your solar system will also shut down (unless you have battery backup power). This is a safety measure to protect crews working on power lines to repair the problem. Once the grid comes back up, your inverter should also restart. If the inverter doesn't restart, you'll need to contact a service professional to come out and restart the system for you.

This is a hassle and can lead to unnecessary production loss. Unfortunately, there's no quick fix for this, as it's likely an issue related to the inverter quality. It is a good idea to ensure you have a reliable monitoring system to detect other faults as quickly as possible and determine if there isn't some other issue preventing a restart.

Isolation Faults

An isolation fault is an example of another fault that can occur within a solar inverter. This happens when there's a short circuit between various parts of your system, and you'll receive an isolation alarm notifying you of this issue. Isolation faults are typically caused by moisture and damage to the cabling's sleeve, poor connection between the DC cables and the panel, or moisture in the PV module's connections.

These issues should be fixed by a professional familiar with your Victron Energy inverter. Isolation faults can create fatal voltages in the system when mishandled, so if you get an isolation alarm, shut off your system and contact an expert.