What does a Ground Fault error on an Inverter mean?
Is your inverter showing a Ground Fault error? We discuss what causes one, how to fix them, and what they will cost to repair.
Quick Answers
What does a “ground fault” error on a solar inverter mean?
A ground fault — also shown as “isolation fault”, “Riso low” or “ground fault” — means your inverter has detected electricity leaking from the DC circuit to earth and has shut down for safety. It’s most often caused by moisture in a rooftop DC isolator, damaged cable insulation, or a faulty panel, and should be diagnosed by a licensed technician rather than reset repeatedly.
Common causes in South East Queensland
- Water ingress in a rooftop DC isolator — the number-one local cause.
- Damaged or rodent-chewed DC cable insulation.
- A faulty solar panel or junction box.
- Degraded MC4 connectors after years of sun and rain.
Safety note: a ground fault is a genuine safety shutdown. Repeatedly clearing it without fixing the cause risks fire and electric shock — leave the system off and book an inspection.
Is a solar ground fault dangerous?
Yes. It means current is leaking to earth. Keep the system switched off and have it inspected promptly by a licensed electrician.
What causes a ground fault after rain?
Moisture entering an ageing or cracked DC isolator is the most common cause in Queensland’s wet, humid climate.
Can I reset a ground fault myself?
You can try one reset, but if the fault returns, stop. Repeated resets don’t fix the leak and can be hazardous.
How much does it cost to fix an inverter ground fault?
Often $150–$450 if it’s an isolator or connector, and more if a panel or cabling needs replacing. A diagnostic confirms the source first.
How to tell your inverter is experiencing a Ground Fault?
There are a few easy ways you, the homeowner, can figure out if your inverter has a Ground Fault issue.
- Display Error: Your inverter’s software shows an error on its display screen – you should see the words “Ground Fault”.
- Light Error: Your inverter has the words “Ground Fault” beside a light and the light is blinking or on permanently.
Both of these are clear indications that your system is experiencing an issue that needs to be inspected and repaired as soon as possible by a Brisbane solar repairer.
You can contact us on 0497 524 407 and one of our friendly technicians will visit your home, inspect your system then provide you with an itemised quote to fix the issue. Most of the time we can have your system back up and running that very same day.
What causes a Ground Fault error to show on an Inverter?
A Ground Fault error appears on your inverter when some part of your solar’s electrical system comes into contact with the earth.
More often than not, this is caused by moisture getting into your solar panels, isolators, or wiring. It can also be caused when part of your system is damaged somehow.
Is a Ground Fault error dangerous?
If your inverter is showing a Ground Fault error, it can certainly be dangerous to your home and system. Not fixing the issue could lead to fires or further damage to your solar system and that is why we always recommend calling a solar repair expert to fix the error.
How to fix an Inverter showing a Ground Fault error?
As we’ve mentioned above, repairing the issue can be dangerous, especially with damaged components carrying live electricity.
We can’t stress this enough, you should call a solar repair technician the moment you notice the Ground Fault error or any error on your inverter.
How much does a Ground Fault error cost to repair?
Because there are multiple parts of your system that could cause a Ground Fault error, the cost to repair it can vary quite a lot.
By calling a Solarfix repairman, we will inspect the issue and determine where it is coming from then provide you with a no-obligation, itemised quote to fix your solar system.
Call us today on 0497 524 407 and let’s get your system back working again!
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.