New Fluke GFL-1500 Quickly Locates Ground Faults to Boost Solar System Uptime

Rhea-AI Summary

Fluke Corporation (NYSE:FTV) has launched the GFL-1500 Ground Fault Locator, an innovative tool designed to help solar technicians quickly and safely locate ground faults in solar systems. The device uses non-contact tracing technology to reduce the need for multiple disconnections and individual string testing.

Ground faults, which accounted for 4.0% of workplace electrical fatalities from 2011-2023, have been a persistent challenge in utility-scale solar installations. The GFL-1500 is compatible with 1500V PV systems and combines a signal-producing transmitter with non-contact detection capabilities to pinpoint fault locations efficiently. This innovation comes as solar generation saw a 30% global growth last year, highlighting the increasing need for efficient maintenance solutions.

Insights

Renewable Energy Technology Analyst

Fluke's new GFL-1500 addresses critical safety and efficiency challenges in the rapidly growing solar industry, potentially boosting Fortive's position in renewable maintenance tools.

Fluke Corporation's new GFL-1500 Ground Fault Locator represents a significant technological advancement in solar system maintenance. The device solves a persistent challenge in the solar industry by enabling technicians to quickly locate ground faults without requiring multiple disconnections or string-by-string testing, substantially improving both safety and efficiency.

The timing is strategically important as the solar market grew 30% globally last year – its fastest growth since 2017. With ground faults responsible for 4.0% of workplace electrical fatalities from 2011-2023, the GFL-1500 addresses both a safety concern and operational inefficiency that has long plagued solar technicians.

What makes this product particularly valuable is its complete workflow coverage for 1500V PV systems, allowing fault location anywhere between inverter and module. The non-contact tracing methodology significantly reduces technician exposure to energized systems, addressing a critical safety gap in current maintenance protocols.

For Fortive, Fluke's parent company, this product strengthens their position in the renewable energy maintenance sector at a time of accelerating solar adoption globally. By addressing a specific pain point that causes costly downtime in utility-scale solar installations, Fluke is targeting a growing market need that aligns with the broader energy transition. The upcoming showcase at Solar and Storage KSA Live in Saudi Arabia suggests a focus on expanding market presence in regions making significant renewable investments.

Ground fault locator eliminates time-consuming fault hunts by reducing disconnections and brute-force testing individual strings, helping solar technicians work faster and safer

Eindhoven, Netherlands, Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fluke Corporation, a leading provider of safe, rugged, and reliable industrial tools and integrated software, today announced the launch of the Fluke GFL-1500 Ground Fault Locator, a breakthrough technology designed to address some of the most persistent pain points faced by solar technicians. The Fluke GFL-1500 enables solar technicians to locate ground faults quickly, safely, using non-contact tracing—reducing the need for multiple disconnections and brute-force testing of individual strings.

In utility-scale solar systems, ground faults, which were responsible for 4.0% of all workplace electrical fatalities from 2011 to 2023, are a common challenge often caused by environmental wear, aging infrastructure, or installation quality issues. These faults can lead to costly downtime and reduced energy output. By streamlining the fault-finding process, the Fluke GFL-1500 allows technicians to work more safely, faster, and without disruption—ensuring continuous clean energy production.

The Fluke GFL-1500 combines the power of a signal-producing transmitter with a non-contact detection clamp and a non-contact signal receiver to help technicians quickly and accurately pinpoint the location of active ground faults, even on complex arrays. The Fluke GFL-1500 enables technicians to identify the faulted branch and pinpoint the fault location within a string, without relying on detailed site maps or time-consuming test procedures.

“The Fluke GFL-1500 marks a pivotal advance in non-contact ground-fault troubleshooting for solar technicians,” said Vineet Thuvara, Chief Product Officer at Fluke. “With solar generation surging 30% globally last year**—the fastest annual growth since 2017—there’s more urgency than ever to restore systems swiftly when faults occur. The GFL-1500 cuts through uncertainty, enabling technicians to pinpoint and resolve issues fast, minimize expensive downtime, and keep clean energy flowing. It’s built from on-the-ground insights to tackle the real challenges of today’s booming solar industry.”

Locating ground faults has traditionally been a time-consuming, manual, and challenging task for solar technicians. The Fluke GFL-1500 simplifies the process by offering:

• Complete Workflow Coverage: The GFL-1500 provides a new end-to-end solution that is compatible with 1500V PV systems, locating ground faults anywhere between the inverter and the module.
• Enhanced Safety: Technicians can troubleshoot with confidence by avoiding unnecessary interactions with energized systems, reducing the risk of injury or damage to system components.
• Significant Time Savings: Early adopters reported significantly reducing the time to locate hard ground faults. These results will significantly reduce the time it takes to get solar sites back online, while freeing up technicians to tackle other tasks.
• User-Friendly Design: Intuitive interface makes it easy to operate for solar technicians with varying levels of experience.

Fluke will be showcasing the Fluke GFL-1500 at Solar and Storage KSA Live, October 12–14 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Please visit booth H1-M40 to receive a demo of Fluke solar products.

For more information and to purchase the GFL-1500, visit Fluke GFL-1500 Solar Ground Fault Locator | Fluke.

About Fluke
As the world leader in test and measurement equipment, software, and service, Fluke is committed to advancing sustainability at a global level. Growth in renewable energy industries requires precision measurement, quality control, and reporting capabilities for installation, maintenance, and service. Every day, Fluke customers stake their reputations on Fluke tools—it’s why they depend on Fluke’s reliability, accuracy, and commitment to help them extend their skills and professionalism.

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*Electrical Safety Foundation International: Workplace Electrical Fatalities: 2011 – 2023
** International Energy Agency: Solar Generation Grew by 30% in 2024

FLUKE is a registered trademark of Fluke Corporation. For more information, visit the Fluke website.

Attachments

• New Fluke GFL-1500 Quickly Locates Ground Faults to Boost Solar System Uptime
• New Fluke GFL-1500 Quickly Locates Ground Faults to Boost Solar System Uptime

Dave Smith
Fluke Corporation
dave.smith@fluke.com

FAQ

What is the Fluke GFL-1500 and what does it do?

The Fluke GFL-1500 is a ground fault locator that helps solar technicians quickly identify and locate ground faults in solar systems using non-contact tracing technology, reducing the need for multiple disconnections and manual testing.

How does the Fluke GFL-1500 improve solar system maintenance?

It provides faster fault detection, reduces system downtime, enhances technician safety, and offers complete workflow coverage for 1500V PV systems from inverter to module.

What safety benefits does the FTV GFL-1500 provide?

The device reduces risk by minimizing interaction with energized systems and eliminates the need for multiple disconnections, addressing a significant safety concern as ground faults caused 4.0% of workplace electrical fatalities from 2011-2023.

Where can solar technicians see the Fluke GFL-1500 demonstration?

The GFL-1500 will be showcased at Solar and Storage KSA Live in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 12-14 at booth H1-M40.

What market need is Fluke addressing with the GFL-1500?

The GFL-1500 addresses maintenance needs in the rapidly growing solar industry, which saw 30% global growth last year, by providing faster and safer ground fault detection capabilities.