String-level arc protectors: Addressing Potential Arc Risks in Photovoltaic BlPV Systems

For example, using PV panels as rooftops or curtain walls—it looks eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing, but there is a major hidden risk: arc faults! Unlike conventional PV systems, BIPV embeds PV panels into buildings, with concealed and scattered wiring points. Once an arc occurs, it is not only difficult to detect and rescue but may also burn through the rooftop, ignite the building, and even threaten personal safety. Fortunately, Fonrich String-Level Arc Protector is a "safety bodyguard" specifically designed to solve this problem. Now, combining its actual performance, let’s discuss how important string-level arc protectors are.

I. First, Let’s Talk About BIPV Arc Risks: Far More Dangerous Than Conventional PV—Truly Unignorable!

Don’t assume that the protection measures for conventional PV can be applied directly to BIPV. The uniqueness of BIPV multiplies arc risks, with two fatal issues:

1. Faults Are Deeply Hidden: Hard to Locate, Making Maintenance Difficult

BIPV PV panels are either attached to the exterior curtain walls of commercial buildings or embedded in the roof tiles of residential buildings. Wiring points are either hidden in the building structure or scattered in various corners. With traditional arc detection methods, faults cannot be accurately localized—for instance, if the wiring of a curtain wall PV panel loosens and generates an arc, technicians have to climb stairs floor by floor to inspect, and even remove some building decorations. By the time the fault is found, the area is probably already burned.

Moreover, most BIPV projects are located in crowded areas such as shopping malls and residential communities. Once a fire breaks out, evacuating people and conducting fire rescue are much more difficult than in open ground-mounted power plants, and the losses will only be greater.

2. DC Arcs "Cannot Be Extinguished": High Temperatures Can Burn Through Rooftops

Ordinary AC current has a "zero-crossing point," and the arc will extinguish itself when the current disappears. However, PV DC arcs are different—once they appear, they are like "sticky flames" that cannot extinguish on their own, and their temperature can soar to 3000℃. The building materials used in BIPV, such as color steel tiles and insulation sleeves, are all flammable. Once an arc ignites, it can easily burn through the rooftop and set the walls on fire. Not only will the equipment be ruined, but the entire building and the people inside will also be in danger.

II. String-Level Arc Protector: Precisely Solving BIPV Troubles, Installing an "Intelligent Safety Lock" for Power Plants

It is precisely because of the unique risks of BIPV that string-level arc protectors become particularly important. As a brand deeply focused on PV safety, Fonrich’s product is not just an ordinary "switch" but a comprehensive solution covering detection, shutdown, and monitoring. Its three core capabilities directly address the safety key points of BIPV:

1. Millisecond-Level Arc Interruption and Precise Localization: Snuffing Out Fire Hazards as Soon as They Emerge

Fonrich’s String-Level Arc Protector is equipped with an exclusive arc recognition algorithm, which can capture arc signals in real time. It can even accurately identify weak arcs caused by hidden cracks in components—far more capable than many similar products that only detect strong arcs. More importantly, it can directly localize the specific faulty string, such as "Loose wiring in the 3rd string of the east facade curtain wall." Technicians can go straight to the fault point with their mobile phones, without the need for one-by-one investigation.

2. 1600-Meter Communication for Safety Profiling: Shifting Maintenance from "Fire-Fighting" to "Prevention"

Fonrich’s String-Level Arc Protector has a built-in long-distance communication module, supporting 1600-meter circuit data transmission. Even for multi-level BIPV systems in large commercial complexes, it can achieve full-range coverage. It can transmit real-time data (such as arc frequency of each string, current fluctuations, and equipment temperature) to the Fonrich cloud platform, and generate a "power plant safety profile" with one click—showing clearly which strings are in "healthy status" and which are in "sub-healthy early warning." Management can grasp the situation at a glance.

3. Strong Plug-and-Play Adaptability: Low-Cost Retrofitting for New and Old Projects

The biggest fear when retrofitting BIPV is "large-scale demolition and reconstruction." Fonrich has long taken this into account—the size and interfaces of its String-Level Arc Protector are fully compatible with mainstream combiner boxes and inverters on the market. There is no need to modify the original electrical structure or rewire; it can be directly installed at the end of the string. For commercial projects, this barely affects normal operations.

III. Choosing the Right Product Matters: Fonrich’s Compliance and Guarantees Make BIPV Safety More Reliable

BIPV safety depends not only on technology but also on compliance. Fonrich’s String-Level Arc Protector fully meets the requirements of China’s National Energy Administration for "intelligent arc monitoring and rapid shutdown." After component-level shutdown, it can reduce the voltage to below the 30V safety value, complying with the strict standards of the Fire Protection Technical Code for Building Photovoltaic Systems. More notably, it can form a linked solution with Fonrich’s inverters and optimizers—not only handling arc protection but also improving power generation by 5%-25% through component-level MPPT, providing dual guarantees of safety and profitability.

In addition, Fonrich provides a 25-year ultra-long warranty for BIPV projects. The protector body has an IP68 protection rating, ensuring stable operation whether in the high-temperature and high-humidity environment in southern China or the cold weather in northern China.

IV. Conclusion: String-Level Arc Protectors Are "Indispensable" for BIPV Power Plant Safety

BIPV integrates photovoltaics with buildings, and the safety bottom line must never be compromised—arc faults are deeply hidden and highly harmful, and ordinary products simply cannot withstand them. Fonrich’s String-Level Arc Protector not only has the "hard capability" of millisecond-level arc interruption but also the "intelligent capability" of remote early warning. It can adapt to new and old projects at low cost, perfectly solving the safety problems of BIPV.