Solar PV Ground-fault Troubleshooting Course

Theory, Tools, and Field Application

Learn how to locate, troubleshoot, and safely repair ground faults in both central and string inverter systems using digital multimeters and insulation resistance testers. Whether you’re a technician, electrician, or O&M pro, you’ll walk away ready to find it, fix it, and get the system back online fast.

Length: 6-7 hours

Format: Approximately 55 on-demand videos including detailed step-by-step videos from the field with active instructor support

Cost: $595

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The course covers both central and string inverter systems – including configurations with harnesses, combiners, and various types of disconnects. Starting off with a review of grounding and bonding, we cover the fundamentals of inverter topologies (transformer-based vs. transformerless) along with their associated grounding and GFDI systems. By the end of the course, you will have a thorough understanding of how different types of ground faults behave and how to safely troubleshoot them using a digital multimeter and insulation resistance tester. 

This engaging class explores ground-fault troubleshooting scenarios and system configurations with field videos, system diagrams, graphics, and lectures. It was developed to meet the SEIA’s 301 O&M Technician Level 2 competencies to ensure technicians and O&M companies can safely and efficiently tackle the most challenging and dangerous faults out there.

Please reach out with any questions and any inquires regarding group enrollments or in-person training via Contact Us or groundfaults@solartechcollective.com

Lessons

  1. Course Introduction
  2. Introduction to PV System Grounding and Bonding
  3. Insulation, Resistance, and Faults
  4. Testing Insulation Resistance
  5. Inverter Topologies and DC System Grounding
  6. Ground-fault Path Scenarios
  7. Fault Voltage and Insulation Resistance
  8. Introduction to Ground-fault Troubleshooting
  9. Troubleshooting Hard Faults
  10. Troubleshooting Resistive Faults
  11. Central Inverter Scenarios
  12. Theory vs. Reality: When the Fault Hits the Fan
  13. Repairing Ground Faults

Learning Objectives

  • Describe how and why PV systems are bonded and grounded
  • Identify qualities and the function of insulation in PV systems
  • Describe causes and consequences of faults in PV systems
  • Describe how to perform insulation resistance testing (IRT) and analyze test results
  • Identify common PV inverter topologies along with associated protective devices and grounding configurations
  • Recognize ground-fault current paths and the GFDI functionality for different PV inverter topologies
  • Identify best practices and safety considerations for ground fault troubleshooting
  • Outline general procedures for troubleshooting hard and resistive ground faults
  • Identify how to use a digital multimeter and insulation resistance tester to troubleshoot PV DC ground faults
  • Describe considerations and procedures for isolating circuits on string and central inverters during DC ground-fault troubleshooting
  • Outline troubleshooting techniques for hard-to-locate ground faults
  • Describe considerations and methods for repairing ground faults