When And Where To Use Fuses For DIY Solar

I will use a recent test setup to walk you through when you need to use inline fuses for your DIY solar setup. There are a couple specifications you need to consider associated with your panels and also place the fuses in the correct location to ensure your system is protected.

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[everydaysolar]

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[cherylbrown]

Thankyou, i have watched LOTS of solar videos and your expaination for when and how to use fuses has been the easiest to understand!

[DJdavefromlondon]

Best format of video. I'd add 1 thing to your wiring diagram. I'd write 15A two times, and 25A three times to indicate you need 2 or 3 of this fuse. Ie it's not a total. Minor point but foolproof

[MrFirstone]

Man, Yea! Not enough info and conversation about this on YT. Out of confusion and concern, I bought a miniature 30-amp disconnect switch/circuit breaker to put between the panels and the Delta Pro. I'm currently just using 6 -100-watt panels but upgrading to approximately 1600 watt. Few years back a BougeRV tech said I wouldn't need fuses with a 1600-watt system. Anyhow, the topic of using fuses doesn't seem to get the attention it deserves, or maybe I'm just being too careful. Those DP's sure are pricey though... Great video, Thanks!

[diySolarPowerFunWithRay]

Great video. This is the exact solar configuration I recommended in my delta pro 3 review video. But I forgot to mention the fuses though. Good reminder.

[crzyworm]

Thank you, your videos are invaluable to learning what is need for solar projects.

[jetdust]

I have the simple 3 in series but am going to add an inline at the panels and then a breaker with lighting surge where it enters the house. Maybe a little overkill? But better safe?

[Kievlar]

Where do you put the inline fuse? The red line is positive? Or does it matter? Thanks.

[Okie-videos]

I’ve got some Meyer-burger panels I will be wiring in a 2S 2P configuration. The Isc is listed as 10.6 amps. The max series fuse rating is listed as 20 amps. If I understood what you are saying, does that mean I will need a 20 amp fuse?

Great video!

[Yash-iekj]

Can you please provide link to the inline fuse with branch you showed at 3:50 ?

[kcihemadu]

Hi, I have twelve 555w panels, of which a set of three are wired in series, then the four set of 3s in series are brought together in parallel to the charge controller. Do I need an inline fuse?

[gonzaloburgos]

Great video the diagram helped me understand better 👍👍

[AdnanKhan-sms]

For example for 2 strings in your first example whether we need each 15amp fuse or each 7.5amp?

[MrCrixizix]

I'm a bit unclear on what kind of circumstance these fuses would help with. You've said a short that causes more current to go through a single branch.
Could you give some clarification or an example of what this type is failure might look like?

[kreature]

Small tip: DC isolators MUST be mounted on non flammable material. NOT a piece of wood.
They are prone to arcing faults and you do not want it to be surrounded by kindling.

[wrbbbb]

Instead of those inline fuses, would it be acceptable to use DC circuit breakers, 15A and 25A, rated above the maximum series voltage, to serve as a current protection device and also a disconnect?

[gspam]

Great topic and thank you for the presentation. I don't fully understand the placement of the fuses or where the magic black smoke is going to come out, so I would welcome additional videos on this topic.

[AW]

If I have an "array" of only 2 panels in parallel, is fusing necessary? it would seem that if one panel malfunctions, only another panel left so there would be no danger to damaging the remaining panel? I am slightly confused. Thanks!

[iowac]

Im guessing you using one fuse for each positive line before the combiner? If you put a 25 amp fuse after combining it would be over the 25 amp fuse correct?

[zorro]

Nice explanation. One problem I had is that with my eco-worthy 100w panels, the outputs are not red and black wires, so I had to look at some other fusing videos to tell that the connector that looks like a male is the plus, or the "red" wire. Also, from what I can tell, other brands also had the plus connector on the right side of the little box on the back of the panels.

I wonder what would be the effect if one put the inline fuses in the negative side instead. After all, the inline fuses have a male on one end and a female on the other, so it is not foolproof since one could put the fuses in the negative Y connector just as easily.

I think I did the fuse size wrong, however. My panels say 5.5 sc amps and 10 amp fuse. I thought one would have to add the 5.5 and get 11 and so I am currently using 15 amp fuses. It should be easy to just replace them in the inline fuse holders, I would hope.

Adding to my confusion, I have 4 panels, with 2 connected in series (40v) and then the 2 pairs in parallel. I have an ecoflow delta 3 plus that maxes out the voltage at 60 (with 500w) so I can't just series connect the 4 of them.