Morningstar GFPD-150V > 150 Volt Ground Fault Protection Device

Morningstar's new ground fault protection device (GFPD-150V) is compatible with both their charge controllers and third-party products.

Detailed Description

Morningstar's Ground Fault Protection Device (GFPD) Family, Models GFPD-150V and GFPD-600V, increases safety and design flexibility in off-grid and on-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems. Ground fault protection is used in electrical systems to prevent current from following any unintended paths during a ground fault. It is critical to detect any stray current and to interrupt (break) the circuit until safe operation can be restored. A current imbalance between the conductors of a circuit indicates a ground fault. Morningstar's GFPD will detect this condition and break the circuit on both the positive and negative legs. Disconnecting both poles ensures interruption of the ground fault current.

• Breaks the PV array during a fault condition.
• Leaves the battery and DC loads grounded under all conditions.
• Eliminates the danger of an ungrounded battery and therefore requires no special labeling at the battery location.
• Audible and visual indications.
• Precision current measurement, not fuses.
• Push-button test circuit.

The GFPD enables system design flexibility. Morningstar designed the GFPD to be easily paired with their world-leading TriStar MPPT Charge Controller during on-site installation. Additionally, the GFPD will work just as well in systems with mixed vendor components.

Morningstar's GFPD is a superior solution to ground fault protection. With its custom molded equipment ground terminals, installation and troubleshooting are simplified. Furthermore, the GFPD breaks the entire PV array circuit during a fault condition and requires no special labeling on the battery enclosure.

Compared to Other GFP Solutions, the GFPD...

• Maintains the integrity of earth bond for battery and loads.
• Trips at lower fault current with greater accuracy.
• Breaks both conductors in the faulted circuit and completely isolates PV source circuits.
• Does not require an extra warning label at the battery bank as per U.S. National Electric Code requirements.
• Provides design flexibility to meet a wide range of configurations:
  • Positive and negative ground.
  • Large and small arrays.
• Makes it easier to locate and troubleshoot ground faults.
• Powered via the PV system’s battery bank.
• Equipped with both visual and audible alarms.
• Built to support both single controller and multiple controllers systems:
  • When the earth bond is not broken, Morningstar’s GFPD will only shut off affected controllers.
  • All loads will continue to operate safely with the battery remaining bonded to ground.
  • Multiple controllers and GFPD’s can be added on an as-needed basis.