Solar Inverter Making Clicking Noises? Simple Fix & Solution

If your solar inverter is making a clicking noise, don’t panic! This is a common issue that can usually be resolved quickly and easily.

Several things could cause your solar inverter to make a clicking noise. The inverter is overloaded and needs to be reset, or there could be something wrong with the AC coupling. If the clicking noise is accompanied by a flashing light on the inverter, it means that there is a major error.

A solar inverter noise problem can be very annoying, but there are ways to fix a beeping sound, clicking sound, or other types of noise issues. Let’s explore the reasons behind this.

How to Fix an Inverter Making Noise?

It is a common problem among solar inverters that there is sound coming from the inverter when the capacity of the inverters is more than the limit. Inverter making noise can be more than annoying and cause performance issues in general.

So, it is a good practice to check periodically if your inverter makes noise or not, and if so, try to figure out what’s causing the problem. Here are some ways how to fix an inverter making noise:

Check Battery Health

When your inverter starts making noise, it is important to check the health of your battery first. If your battery’s health is good, this could be due to a problem with the inverter itself. 

So, you need to check the battery first. In some cases, dead batteries can be producing a lot of noise and in turn affect the performance of inverters as well.

Dust Free Environment

Inverters are sensitive electronic devices that require a dust free environment to function properly. If there is too much dust or moisture in the air around them they will start making noise as they try to filter out these particles from entering their internal components, causing damage over time if left unchecked long enough without any maintenance whatsoever.

Clean PCB Board

If you have an inverter making a lot of noise, one of the first things you should do is clean the PCB board. You can do this using a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol or a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust from the board.

Ensure That No One Is Using High Power Appliances

Another way to fix an inverter making noise is to ensure that no one is using high power appliances in your home. This includes microwaves, hair dryers, and other appliances that draw much power from your battery bank.

If these items are being used when your inverter starts making noise, it could be because they’re drawing too much power from your battery bank and causing it to overheat.

How to Reduce the Noise From Your Inverter?

Noise from your inverter is a common problem. Inverters make an odd humming noise that’s very irritating. This happens because of the basic functioning of the inverter, which might create noise and vibration.

Is there any way to get rid of this sound? Here are some ways that can help reduce the noises caused by inverters:

Mount the Inverter Correctly

You should make sure that you have mounted your inverter correctly. If it is not mounted properly, it can cause a lot of noise due to vibration. It would help if you mounted your inverter on a solid sturdy surface.

For example, you can use washers between the mounting surface and the frame of your inverter. This will help reduce noise considerably.

Checking the Fan

Your inverter has a built-in fan that helps circulate air throughout the unit, which keeps it cool and prevents overheating.

Excessive dust or debris inside the fan housing can cause an increase in noise levels as well as cause damage over time because it may prevent proper circulation within the unit during operation.

You should check your inverter’s fan regularly for signs of wear or damage. If the fan isn’t working or is damaged then it should be replaced.

WARNING: Never operate your inverter without the fan installed. If the fan is missing or damaged it could cause overheating and damage to the inverter.

Cleaning Your Inverter Regularly

Another way to reduce noise from your inverter is by cleaning it regularly with a soft brush so that dirt does not get stuck inside of its components which could cause them to vibrate more often while they’re working (which results in more noise).

NOTE: When cleaning your inverter, disconnect the power cord from the unit and turn it off at the switch. This will ensure that no power is applied to the unit during operation.

Cleaning the Motor Unit

The motor unit is a common point of noise generation in inverters. A loud humming or whirring sound is often caused by dust and other foreign substances accumulated on the motor windings.

To clean the motor, remove the cable connections from both ends and gently blow out any loose particles with an air compressor. Allow the motor to cool before reinstalling the cables.

NOTE: Never use water or any other type of liquid on your inverter. Any moisture that gets into the unit could cause damage and void your warranty.

Inspecting Your Cables

When your inverter is connected to a solar panel, it transfers power through cables that can often be damaged over time. This can result in voltage drops or short circuits that may cause your inverter to emit an electrical burning smell or smoke.

If you suspect any damage has occurred, consider replacing these cables as soon as possible to avoid further damage and potential danger to yourself or others around you.

How to Tell If The Noise from An Inverter Is Dangerous

If you have a noise coming from your inverter, it can be difficult to determine whether or not it is dangerous. Some noises are normal, while others could indicate an impending failure.

If the noise comes from inside the inverter, it is likely normal. If the noise comes from outside the inverter, it may be a sign of failure.

Here are some common noises and what they mean:

• Humming or buzzing: is usually caused by a fan running inside the inverter and is normal. You should never hear this noise when there is no load on the system.
• Clicking sound/popping sound: may also be caused by a fan running inside your inverter and is also normal if heard only when there is no load on your system. If it occurs while there is a load on your system, it may be caused by overheating due to insufficient airflow through vents in your attic or crawlspace where your solar panels are installed.

Why Is My Solar Inverter Beeping

When you hear your solar inverter hear the inverter beeping can be confusing because it sounds like an alarm, even though it isn’t. Here are some reasons why a solar inverter may beep:

Overloaded

An inverter will often beep when it’s doing its job of converting DC to AC power but gets overloaded. This happens with a power surge or when the unit shuts down because of overheating.

It’s Cooling Down or Warming Up

Newer inverters have been designed to make less noise than older models, but during the cooling process or when coming out of hibernation mode, they can still make some noise as they start up again.

Voltage Problems

There’s something wrong with your system or wiring, causing voltage issues in the wires leading from your solar panels to your electrical panel box.

This could mean that one of your solar panels isn’t working correctly or has been damaged by debris, such as tree branches falling on the solar panel during a lightning storm.

Connection Issues

You have a problem with the wiring in your system that needs to be addressed. For example, if the inverter is not wired correctly or there is a loose connection somewhere in the system, this can cause the inverter to beep continuously.

Low Battery

The batteries are too low and need to be recharged or replaced with fully charged batteries. This causes the inverter to beep continuously to warn you until it is recharged or replaced.

Short Circuiting

The battery charger is short circuiting, which means there is a problem with the charger itself. It needs to be repaired or replaced immediately before it causes any substantial damage.

Why Is My Inverter Making a Clicking Noise

Inverters are supposed to be silent, but some owners report hearing a clicking noise from their inverter. The clicking noise may be caused by a faulty fan or capacitor, which an electrician can replace.

Other causes of inverter noise include a loose connection or a faulty breaker switch.

The most common cause of solar inverter clicking noise is the fan inside the unit failing to spin properly. The fan itself may have become damaged or broken due to overuse or age and may need to be replaced before the unit can run properly.

When the fan fails to work properly, it may cause other components within the inverter to overheat and fail. Inverters are designed with fans inside them so they can keep cool while running, but if one stops working, the other parts begin overheating and malfunctioning.

Another common cause of solar inverter clicking noise is when something has become loose inside the unit and is knocking against the other components. The inverter housing must be opened up so that all of the internal components can be inspected for loose connections or cracked wiring.

If any parts are found to be damaged, it will need to be replaced before it can run properly again.

How Do I Know if My Solar Inverter Is Working Correctly?

The easiest way to tell if your solar inverter is working correctly is to check the display panel. Most solar inverters have a digital display that will show you the current status of the inverter, including whether it is online or offline.

If the display shows that the inverter is offline, then it is not working correctly.

When a solar inverter malfunctions, it will often display an error code on the digital display. Most solar inverters will have a separate manual that tells you how to decipher the error code for your specific model of the inverter.

Another easy way to tell if your solar inverter is working correctly is if it is connected to a load. If the load is functioning correctly, then your inverter must be online. If the load is not operating properly, there may be a problem with the inverter.

Final Thoughts

A clicking noise coming from your solar inverter is most likely caused by a loose wire. If you have ruled out all other potential causes, then you should check the wire connections and tighten them if necessary. If the problem persists and you are unable to fix it yourself you should always contact a solar technician to come and take a look.