PV combiner box protection [RE-wrenches]

[Phil Undercuffler]

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on 6/23/04 1:54 PM, Ray Walters at ray at solarray.com wrote:

>Come on, you're really going to bring
> each 50 watt module in a 12 volt system in on a separate wire and breaker?
> 
> Ray

Yes, but not necessarily like you may think.  A 50 watt module = 3 amps at
12v.  That means #10 wire is good for about 50-60'.  In a system with less
than 2-300 watts of array, I'd consider running separate feeds back to a
Square D 6-12 box located at the power system (which could also serve as
array disconnect), or 1/4" ABC fuses at the array.  More array than that, or
the array run is further than 60'?  Consider adding MPPT.  And if you add
MPPT it's only a small jump to a higher voltage array.

When you consider the cost of the raintight J-box at the array, the cost of
the splitbolts and splicing tape, and the labor getting a half-dozen wires
into that splitbolt and protected, and the labor it takes to undo that
splitbolt and splicing tape the first time you want to check module output,
I just don't see that much $$$ saved by eliminating the  series fusing.

Phil

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