first diy, need help not electrocutng myself

[thenasty1]

setup is a diy frame (aluminum), 3 288.2 panels+heatsinks, meanwell 320 driver
my question is- if i mount the driver directly to the frame, will it be grounded and safe to touch/accidentally bump into while im working?
ive read that this setup should be good to go, but i have also read others saying that additional grounding is necessary. figured i should ask folks that know before proceeding.

 

[diyled]

Earthing the DC side of a driver is pointless, the AC is earthed via input. The AC side is also isolated from the DC side.

I still do it as most folk just don't understand it.

 

[thenasty1]

Earthing the DC side of a driver is pointless, the AC is earthed via input. The AC side is also isolated from the DC side.

I still do it as most folk just don't understand it.

so straight to the frame or heatsink is good? i hate to sound like a noob here, but thats exactly what i am when it comes to building led fixtures

 

[1212ham]

my question is- if i mount the driver directly to the frame, will it be grounded and safe to touch/accidentally bump into while im working?

Yes. @diyled is correct. The ground on the AC power cord is all that's needed. The driver can be remote or mounted to the frame.

 

[BostonBuds]

setup is a diy frame (aluminum), 3 288.2 panels+heatsinks, meanwell 320 driver
my question is- if i mount the driver directly to the frame, will it be grounded and safe to touch/accidentally bump into while im working?
ive read that this setup should be good to go, but i have also read others saying that additional grounding is necessary. figured i should ask folks that know before proceeding.

Yes, you can mount the driver directly to the metal frame. You will not get electrocuted if your wiring is correct.

 

[thenasty1]

Yes. @diyled is correct. The ground on the AC power cord is all that's needed. The driver can be remote or mounted to the frame.

Yes, you can mount the driver directly to the metal frame. You will not get electrocuted if your wiring is correct.

many thanks.
one more question- my intention is to wire these in series, any reason i should consider parallel? driver is a 320h-54a, says constant current + constant voltage, so i figure either is fine

 

[1212ham]

You need to wire the boards in parallel. The boards are about 50v at max power so two in series would be 100v, but you have a 54v driver.

 

[thenasty1]

You need to wire the boards in parallel. The boards are about 50v at max power so two in series would be 100v, but you have a 54v driver.

got it. thanks for the assist, i appreciate it. hopefully i can get these fired up today

 

[GBAUTO]

I feel that it's always a good idea to ground my frames, even if the drivers are remote mounted. Being the ground path for some serious DC voltage aint fun.

 

[thenasty1]

Being the ground path for some serious DC voltage aint fun.

my thoughts exactly. these are going in a tent, and i am 100% certain that i will bump into them at some point. i still bump into stuff in my main rooms, let alone a 4x4

 

[KonopCh]

So, wire from AC side to the ALU frame is all we need. Anything else to be safe, beside proper wire diameter and I/V rating of wire?

 

[GBAUTO]

Yes, I just tie into the ground conductor on the AC side.