Current and Voltage Monitoring in Photovoltaic Installations

Fewer Decentralized Measuring Points Required in Solar Parks

Solar parks are an essential component of the global energy transition. As a result, their expansion marches on relentlessly. For system operators, the priority is always the efficiency of their solar parks: Achieving higher output and better efficiency while keeping costs low. Transitioning the system voltage from 1,000 V DC to 1,500 V DC appears to be the logical consequence. Operators can achieve both economic and safety advantages by using high quality high-voltage measurement technology in the inverter stations.

Inverters: The Cornerstone of Every Photovoltaic (PV) Installation

Inverters are a key component of every solar park. They convert the direct current of the PV module into alternating current and then feed it into the power grid. Moreover, inverters monitor essential parameters of the installation, such as voltages, currents, and power. This data is indispensable for purposes such as maximum power point tracking (MPPT), which can be used to optimize the performance of individual solar cells. Moreover, the transducers used in the inverter stations detect power drops caused by line interruptions and other faults at an early stage.

Why Knick ?
The high voltage transducers of the P40000 family have already demonstrated their reliability in current and voltage monitoring for solar parks. Their reinforced insulation for up to 1,800 V is ideal for PV installations with system voltages of 1,500 V and protects not only downstream control and evaluation systems but also ensures the safety of personnel. Additionally, the product family boasts an exceptionally long mean time between failures (MTBF) of 2,700 years, based on our field data.

Reduction of Decentralized Measuring Points

If system operators rely on precise high voltage transducers in their inverter stations, monitoring can be centralized in many cases. This saves costs and reduces the number of measuring points that were previously needed on each string, which is a series of PV modules connected in series.

Transducers in the P41000 series monitor currents with a gain error of < 0.1 % and a T90 response time of < 110 μs, transmitting the measured values as a standard signal almost instantaneously to the inverter. This results in an exact total current measurement that enables system operators to detect minor deviations at an early stage and easily localize the reason for the fault in the PV installation.

Transducers in the P42000 series have proven themselves in monitoring the (string) voltage. Due to their limited gain error of < 0.3 % and a T₉₀ response time of 110 μs, P42000 devices guarantee precise measured values that facilitate the immediate detection of power losses and potential hazards such as overloads or short circuits.

Matching products

P41000 High Voltage Transducer / Transmitter | Calibrated and Switchable

Product number:

P41000

P42000 High Voltage Transducer / Transmitter | Calibrated and Switchable

Product number:

P42000

Related Industries and Applications

Measuring wind turbines

Floating Measurement Data Transmission over Considerable Distances.

Power Generation

Knick transducers and signal conditioners have been used in a range of applications in the energy industry for many decades

Energy Brochure

Overview of energy-specific applications and product solutions

Latest blog post

Nov 2025

Interface Technology

High-Voltage Transducer, USA, Data Centers

The Power Behind Data AI & Data Centers

Empower AI with precision: High-voltage measurement solutions from Knick deliver real-time, reliable data.

Nov 2025

Interface Technology

USA, Temperature Transmitter

High-Isolation Temperature Measurement at KEMA Labs

Safe and precise temperature measurement for demanding high-voltage testing.

Sept 2025

Interface Technology

P45000, SIL

Functionally safe measurement of high voltages in industrial applications

Designed for measurements of voltages up to 3,900 V DC and 4,500 V ACpeak: the new P45000 High Voltage Transducer.

Sept 2025

Interface Technology

High-Voltage Transducer, Railway, USA

Upgrading Rail Infrastructure with Knick HV-Transducers and Dewesoft DAQ Systems

A joint railway project with Dewesoft shows: The P40000 series from Knick offers maximum flexibility.

Jun 2025

Interface Technology

P45000, SIL, Energy

P45000 SIL 2 / SIL 3: Voltage measurements in applications with functional safety

Knick offers a new future-proof solution for modern energy infrastructures: reliable, flexible, safe.

Sept 2024

Interface Technology

Hydrogen

Stack and String Voltage Measurement in Electrolyzers and Fuel Cells

Voltage, current and temperature measurement in electrolyzers with P40000 series high voltage transducers

Sept 2024

Interface Technology

New 30 mV Shunt Resistors for Knick Transducers

Knick is expanding the accessory range for its high-voltage transducers with immediate effect by adding shunt resistors with a 30 mV voltage drop

Sept 2024

Interface Technology

Exhibition, InnoTrans

Innovations at InnoTrans 2024 for rolling stock and DC traction power supply

At InnoTrans 2024 Knick presents electrical measurement solutions for rolling stock and DC traction power supply applications

Dec 2023

Company

|

Interface Technology

|

Process Analytics

Knick Austria - direct customer contact in Austria from 2024

Reorganization of sales in Austria and new contacts in the field of process analytics and interface technology

May 2022

Interface Technology

Energy

Energy storage - the handshake between renewable energy and electric vehicles

Energy storage technology such as battery and hydrogen are critical for growth and continuous development of renewable energy and e-mobility.

Feb 2022

Interface Technology

P52000VPD, Voltage

P52000VPD voltage presence detector reliably detects voltages up to 4200 V DC

The new P52000VPD voltage presence detector reliably monitors areas with high voltages and sends a signal to the downstream plant control system when a specified threshold value is reached.

Sept 2021

Interface Technology

USA, Exhibition

Knick Interface at Battery and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo

Knick will be showcasing high-voltage electrical measurement and signal conversion products.

May 2021

Interface Technology

Quadruple Standard Signals in Just One Signal Conditioner

The A20340 can output a standard input signal to four calibrated and galvanically isolated outputs in parallel.

Apr 2021

Interface Technology

Hydrogen

Electrical measurement and process analytics for hydrogen production

Knick products optimize hydrogen production in the process and in electrolyser operation.

Mar 2021

Interface Technology

High-Voltage Transducer, USA, P44000

Condition Monitoring of High-Voltage Motors

Having an active predictive maintenance campaign in place for large rotating equipment can be a key strategy for maximizing process uptime.

Mar 2021

Interface Technology

Pulse frequency conditioner for speed sensors

The new P16000 from Knick is a pulse frequency conditioner that converts frequency signals from speed sensors into standard signals.

Nov 2020

Interface Technology

High-Voltage Transducer, Voltage, P42000D2

Worldwide smallest transducer up to ±2200 V

The P40000 series from Knick enables reliable voltage measurements from ±50 mV to ±3600 V and current measurements from ±100 mA to ±20 kA.

Aug 2020

Interface Technology

DC

Importance of broad-range power supplies for DC electrical measurement

Many DC electrical measurement products manufactured by Knick contain universal, also known as broad-range, power supplies.

Jul 2020

Interface Technology

High-Voltage Transducer, DC, P29000

Measuring Photovoltaic Degradation

Photovoltaic (PV) array degradation is an important aspect to consider for system design and installation.

Jun 2020

Interface Technology

High-Voltage Transducer, USA

Electrical Measurement Solutions: Control from 480 to 4800 Volts

Voltage and current transducers from Knick bring true control to electrical measurement applications across a wide-range of industries.

Jun 2020

Interface Technology

High-Voltage Transducer

Benefits of High Voltage Transducers versus Instrument Transformers

When a need arises to step voltage in a circuit either up or down for purposes of power transmission or distribution, there is no doubt that transformers are essential.

Nov 2019

Interface Technology

DC, USA, Current

Shunt Resistor versus Hall Effect Technology

There are many systems where measurement of large DC currents are needed for performance and safety.

Mar 2018

Interface Technology

MTBF beyond 3000 years: A snap hook for your plant

Failure of equipment on the plant floor can lead to considerable and costly disruption.

Jan 2018

Interface Technology

UL

Knick Products Comply With UL - What Does That Mean?

There are different assessments and approaches to reach an adequate level of safety. Manufacturers are typically on the “safe” side, if they comply with recognized standards.

Nov 2017

Interface Technology

High-Voltage Transducer, P50000

High-voltage transducer offers more safety on railway vehicles

The requirements placed on railway vehicles have increased significantly in recent years. Products for rolling stock need to ensure a higher level of functional safety than ever before.

Feb 2017

Interface Technology

P41000TRMS

True RMS Measurement with P41000TRMS

Traditional millivolt AC transducers are very susceptible to errors due to their poor insulation and are only designed for pure sinewave measurement.

Feb 2017

Interface Technology

SIL, P22400

Functional safety and maximum availability can go together

The requirements on operational and safety-related circuits are continuously growing.

No products found.