c1 drafted · lead Thermal imaging camera
Thermal imaging reveals heating anomalies invisible to the eye so they can be fixed before a fire starts.
- T820264 EN
sec=h8h=19759479c740
Even a small electrical fault can waste energy as heat. Left unchecked, that heat can melt connections and throw sparks that start a fire. In PV systems, defective, undertorqued or overheating connectors cause resistance heating and arcing, which create fire hazards. Deformed plastic and shiny surfaces are warning signs. Reported PV fire causes include poor installation, undetected ground faults, arcing, debris under the panels and inverter faults. At ground-mounted plants, arc faults near dry, poorly managed vegetation can start wildfires. On the Sunny Tripower 8000-17000TL-10, the electronic string fuse helps prevent fires. If the inverter is beeping, do not unplug the DC connectors or the ESS, because the reverse current could then flow through the faulty string and cause a fire. Find heating early with infrared inspection under load. Replace damaged or mismatched connectors, correct crimping errors and check that connector types are compatible. Do not mount inverters or data managers near highly flammable materials or gases, or in explosive atmospheres. Only qualified personnel should install or service Enphase microinverters and the IQ Cable.
<!-- review notes
controlled_byc1 drafted · lead Thermal imaging camera
Thermal imaging reveals heating anomalies invisible to the eye so they can be fixed before a fire starts.
sec=h8 h=19759479c740c2 verified · fact Connector replacement
Replacing damaged or mismatched connectors addresses connector defects that cause resistance heating, arcing and fire hazards.
sec=front h=27362abca33fsec=h2 h=ffc071d1e172verified by: review-workflowverified on: 2026-10-24
c3 drafted · lead Correct crimping
Fixing crimping and installation errors on connectors.
sec=front h=27362abca33fsec=h2 h=ffc071d1e172c4 drafted · lead Connector compatibility verification
Confirm connector types are compatible across repaired circuits.
sec=front h=27362abca33fsec=h2 h=ffc071d1e172c5 drafted · lead Avoid flammable mounting locations proposed
SMA manuals say not to mount the product where highly flammable materials or gases are present, or in potentially explosive atmospheres.
sec=h102 h=768063f0d025sec=h96 h=78aa46bc2b40sec=h92 h=768063f0d025c6 verified · fact Vegetation management proposed
Poor vegetation management, together with arc faults from inverters and connectors, raises the risk of fires started by PV plants.
sec=8.1 h=befcc24716b4verified by: review-workflowverified on: 2026-10-24review note: support check: partial - Passage says insufficient vegetation management plus arc faults raise PV plant fire risk, but does not explicitly state vegetation management as a mitigation (implied only).
c7 verified · fact Proper installation
Incorrectly installed PV systems are linked to fire hazards.
sec=h4 h=1ea9b095e8f7verified by: review-workflowverified on: 2026-10-24
c8 verified · fact Regular system inspections
Fire cases point to the need for rigorous inspection standards.
sec=h4 h=1ea9b095e8f7verified by: review-workflowverified on: 2026-10-24
explains c2has_hazard c7has_hazard c5