[Al Skierkiewicz]

A reverse diode across the input to the PDP would be huge and the short reverse voltage is likely to still produce damage in downstream electronics. Such a diode would need to withstand 600+amps and might allow a volt or more in reverse. The main breaker may still take a second or two to trip at that current. Considering the normal human reaction to the trip, this must survive at least two events before team members will go looking for the actual problem. Inspecting I have been lucky to find two batteries in team's pits that had been wired backwards but never used and one that was being wired backwards while I was in the pit.