Skip to main content
C
Rank 2
Cazbob
Rank 2
March 18, 2024
Solved

Why do i have 35 volts DC in my house? Something wrong with my solar panels?

  • March 18, 2024
  • 8 replies
  • 103 views

An electrician has just checked our meter and told me i have 35 volts DC, he said its not normal, what do i do? i have Solar panels, could there be something wrong with them? i just recently had smart meters fitted so should that not have been checked at the time?

 

 

Best answer by BPLightlog

You want to check where the DC voltage is @Cazbob . Solar PV does use DC but that should get changed to AC when it passes through your inverter. 
Are your appliances working ok? 

How do i do that please? Appliances are all working, however we did have a problem with a power tool

 

It’s nothing you can do but the electrician can tell you where they found the DC. 
It may be that there’s a problem with your inverter but if the appliances are working ok, it may have been a temporary issue. 
Did the electrician check because of the faulty power tool? 
It’s a strange comment to make actually as most measurement devices only show either AC or DC. Some do show both but a 35v level is rather low and may have been some strange situation when they were measuring 

One other possibility is a poor earth connection but again, that is something your electrician can test

8 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
March 18, 2024

That’s probably not the Smart Meters - they feed AC into your house rather than DC.

You might want to get a second opinion from another electrician, just to be sure.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    March 18, 2024

    You want to check where the DC voltage is @Cazbob . Solar PV does use DC but that should get changed to AC when it passes through your inverter. 
    Are your appliances working ok? 

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      C
      Rank 2
      CazbobAuthor
      Rank 2
      March 18, 2024

      Thank you, he is a trusted leccy tbh. He tested it last year after he did some work for us and there was nothing then. 

       

      C
      Rank 2
      CazbobAuthor
      Rank 2
      March 18, 2024

      You want to check where the DC voltage is @Cazbob . Solar PV does use DC but that should get changed to AC when it passes through your inverter. 
      Are your appliances working ok? 

      How do i do that please? Appliances are all working, however we did have a problem with a power tool

       

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper UserSolved
      Super User
      March 18, 2024

      You want to check where the DC voltage is @Cazbob . Solar PV does use DC but that should get changed to AC when it passes through your inverter. 
      Are your appliances working ok? 

      How do i do that please? Appliances are all working, however we did have a problem with a power tool

       

      It’s nothing you can do but the electrician can tell you where they found the DC. 
      It may be that there’s a problem with your inverter but if the appliances are working ok, it may have been a temporary issue. 
      Did the electrician check because of the faulty power tool? 
      It’s a strange comment to make actually as most measurement devices only show either AC or DC. Some do show both but a 35v level is rather low and may have been some strange situation when they were measuring 

      One other possibility is a poor earth connection but again, that is something your electrician can test

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        C
        Rank 2
        CazbobAuthor
        Rank 2
        March 18, 2024

        he did check because of the power tool tbh, we had 2 of the same item stopped working withing a few days, so asked him to check the all the sockets and the meter. it was doing this check that he said we had 35DC showing and it sounds high to him. 

        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper User
        Super User
        March 18, 2024

        he did check because of the power tool tbh, we had 2 of the same item stopped working withing a few days, so asked him to check the all the sockets and the meter. it was doing this check that he said we had 35DC showing and it sounds high to him. 

        Your meter can only pass through what it sees coming in so it’s either from your solar PV or as I mentioned, something where an earth fault or similar is causing a higher DC level than normal 

        Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
          Emmanuelle_OVO
          Retired Moderator
          Emmanuelle_OVO
          Retired Moderator
          March 19, 2024

          Our community members have provided some really helpful advice here @Cazbob. If possible, it would be really helpful to other members with a similar issue if you pop back once you have an answer from your electrician. 

          Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

          OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

          OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

          OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd