Hey everyone! Just setting up my off-grid solar system with 400 watts of roof-mounted panels, an Epever MPPT controller, and a 230AH 12V battery bank. Recently, I bought a Victron 12/1200 inverter, and I'm trying to figure out the grounding requirements. Previously, I had a Magnum Dimensions inverter with a GFCI, so I didn't pay much attention to this stuff. The Victron manual mentions I can bond the neutral to the ground, but I need to ensure I properly ground the chassis. The issue is, I don't have a grounded rod in my garage and since I'm off-grid, I'm wondering if it's okay to ground using a nearby outlet instead? I do have a copper pipe drain, but I'm unsure how deep it goes. Should I use that or just leave the grounding as is? I'd really appreciate any help! Thanks!
4 Answers
I went ahead and installed a full ground rod for my roof panels and it wasn't too hard. It’s a good long-term solution to ensure safety for your system!
Using a grounding plate can be a viable alternative, and you can place it at about 30" deep. It’s a simpler option than a full rod and can offer decent grounding for smaller systems.
Honestly, I wouldn't recommend grounding through the house. A proper grounding rod usually needs to be 8 feet deep. For smaller systems, it might not be critical unless your panels are super tall. Trust your instincts on this!
You can definitely use the house ground if it's properly set up. Just make sure to bond your inverter's neutral to the house ground only at the inverter itself. The manual should tell you where to connect the ground. Just keep wire size in mind for safety!
Good point! Just double-check that your ground wire meets the AWG requirements. For your setup, typical sizes like 14 or 12 AWG should work as long as it’s connected back to a proper ground rod.