MC connectors, warranties and PV system life [RE-wrenches]

Mon Feb 3 15:18:15 PST 2003

The July 2002 issue of Photon International <http://www.photon-magazine.com/>
had an article comparing Multi-Contact's MC and and Tyco's Solarlok
quick-connects. Nice graphic of Tyco's security clips. Not so nice pictures of
Tyco connectors with the caption "One can remove the cable from its housing with
a strong pull."

Article starts with, "Hans Oppermann, head of the German inverter manufacturer
Sun Power Solartechnik, is certain that the widely used connector system from
Basel, Switzerland-based Multi-Contact AG is unsafe. If one unplugs the
connector from a PV system while it is in operation, an arc can form between the
contacts and, in the worst-case scenario, start a fire or result in burns."

Further into the article, "Although according to Tyco the Solarlok plug
connectors are also 'contact-protected,' the company doesn't refer to protection
type IP2X [German TUV certification]. This journalist was able to squeeze her
(of course unstandardized) little finger into the housing to touch the pin. So
one should probably keep small children away from open Tyco connectors."

The article concludes with, "Even if one ignores the fact that Multi-Contact's
new plug connectors still have yet to be certified and really put to the test,
they still take first place as the safest project in our comparison. On the
other hand, Tyco's products are more user-friendly and less expensive than those
of its competitor...The older plug connectors from Multi-Contact will continue
to be available, though they will eventually be pushed off the market by one of
the newer products. Whether its the new MC plug connector or Tyco's Solarlok
system remains to be seen.

Susanne von Aichberger, the writer, did a nice job comparing the two
quick-connects. I even liked her Wrench-like comment about her "unstandardized
little finger." I like Photon and its German parent magazine
<http://www.photon.de> Both very high quality magazines. I encourage you to get
a sample copy and to subscribe.

My opinion is customers can either have quick-connects and lower cost or safer
and longer-lasting wire and metal conduit. Email me off-list for MC's cost
comparison.

Best regards,
Joel Davidson
"You get what you pay for."

EH Roy wrote:

> Wrenches,
>
> We have been heat shrinking MC connectors in high voltage systems and in
> applications where physical pull-apart is a risk. However, MC has now
> designed a closure device, two identical plastic halves that snap together
> over a mated MC connection. Unlike heat shrink it can be removed easily. It
> doesn't add the weatherproofing that heat shrink does but if the MC
> connector is held together, there should be no need for additional
> weatherproofing. I got a sample through Kensington Electronics (800)
> 325-0534. Their part number is "PV Closure".
>
> I encourage all our installers to tie up loose wire and connections. "UV
> resistant" wire ties can be a bit of a crapshoot. I think the best solution
> for this is #12 solid copper wire with USE insulation. Not always easy to
> get, and not cheap, but probably has a longer life expectancy than most wire
> ties. Even solid Cu #12 THHN probably lasts longer than wire ties. Whatever
> you use needs to be inspected during annual inspections - these aren't
> systems you install and walk away from for twenty or thirty years (despite
> marketing hype about NO maintenance).
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> E. H. Roy
> Solar Works, Inc.
> 64 Main Street
> Montpelier, VT 05602
> 1-800-339-7804 ext. 306
> ehroy at solar-works.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Eric Smiley [mailto:Eric_Smiley at bcit.ca]
> Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 12:34 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: RE: MC connectors, warranties and PV system life [RE-wrenches]
>
> >I have an idea that perhaps will reach fruition in the years to come- a
> >twist lock style connector that will have a tab that lines up when it
> is
> >"twisted and locked" in place.
>
> I thought both NEC 690.33(c) and CEC 50-016(d)required the connectors to
> be a latching or locking type. Following this list, I understood that
> some installers were heat shrinking the MC connectors. Aside from better
> weather resistance, was this to meet the intent of 690.33(c)?
>
> I was also told by an inspector that wire marked only TC must be
> supported by a cable tray or raceway - at least in Canada. Is there an
> exception in the NEC?
>
> Eric Smiley
> Project Leader
> Photovoltaic Energy Applied Research, Technology Centre
> British Columbia Institute of Technology
> Burnaby Campus
>
> NE25 - 3700 Willingdon Avenue
> Burnaby, British Columbia
> Canada V5G 3H2
>
> phone: 604.432.8657    fax: 604.436.0286
> esmiley at bcit.ca             www.tc.bcit.ca
>
> The information contained in this E-mail is intended for the addressee
> only.  If you have received this in error please delete it.
>
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