Fried Combinor Box [RE-wrenches]

[Drake Chamberlin - Electrical Energy]

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At 10:10 PM 03/29/2001 -0700, you wrote:
>Drake,
>
>Does the hundred bucks include parts only, or does it
>account for man hours required to assemble it?
>
>Jerry Caldwell


HI Jerry,

That would depend on certain assumptions, and how deluxe the box needed to 
be.  The big question is "what type of fuses are needed for the series 
fuses?"  The code has an interesting statement about these fuses.  Below is 
the quote from 690-4(C) "Module Connection Arrangement:

"Supplementary overcurrent devices used for the exclusive protection of the 
photovoltaic modules are not considered as overcurrent devices for the 
purpose of this section. "

To me this means that the fuses don't need to meet the usual requirements 
for overcurrent devices in the code.  Does that mean we don't need to use 
fuses with a high Amp Interrupt Capability, and that in line fuses should 
be adequate?

But if we set up a box with FRN-R fuses and busses with standoffs, a 
combiner box adequate for 16 Siemens SP 75 modules could be made for about 
$105.00 which would include the cost of an apprentice working for one hour 
to set it up.

4  15 amp FRN-R fuses           9.84
2  double fuse holders                    17.36
1  12 X 12 WP enclosure            24.05
2  standoff kits                                   27.64
2  12 hole bus bars                     9.94
1   hour apprentice time                   16.00

Total                                      104.83

This includes fuses, which the Trace box doesn't.  If we used cheaper 
fuses, such as in line fuses and holders, that would reduce the cost.  We 
could reduce the size of the enclosure this way, also.

We wouldn't necessarily need the bus bars and standoffs either.  We could 
use wire nuts.  I know this is controversial, as some have claimed that 
wire nuts don't work with DC.  I have yet to see a problem.  If wire nuts 
are to be avoided, we could use split bolts.

I don't have the prices available, but if a box were made up of a 6 X 6 
enclosure, with in line fuses,  split bolts and some tape, it would 
certainly be adequate technically.  The output would go to the array 
disconnect.

But, I think a fairly deluxe combiner box, materials and labor could be 
made for a little over a hundred that would be very adequate for 16 SP 75 
modules.  If you deduct the cost of the fuses, it would come out just under 
a hundred.

Drake


>--- Drake Chamberlin - Electrical Energy
><solar at eagle-access.net> wrote:
> > For easily under a hundred bucks I can build an
> > effective combiner box
> > where the wires won't come loose.  The Trace TCB10
> > goes for $229.00
> > according to the Trace Web site.
> >
>
>
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