Back home

Reference material

Glossary

TermPlain-language meaning
Amp (A)Current - electrical flow.
Amp-hour (Ah)Charge capacity; always state voltage.
BMSBattery management system.
BondIntentional electrical connection between conductive parts.
BusbarCommon high-current connection point.
Class TFast, high-interrupt DC fuse family often used with lithium/inverters.
DoDDepth of discharge.
GFCI/RCDShock-protection device that detects current imbalance/leakage.
IscSolar panel short-circuit current.
kWh1,000 watt-hours of energy.
MPPTController that tracks panel maximum power and charges batteries.
NeutralGrounded AC circuit conductor; not the same as equipment ground.
ShuntPrecision resistor used to measure battery current.
SOCState of charge.
SurgeShort-duration power/current above continuous level.
VocSolar open-circuit voltage; rises in cold conditions.
Voltage dropVoltage lost through resistance under current.
Watt (W)Power right now.
Watt-hour (Wh)Energy over time.

Use these reference sheets alongside the guide while planning your system.