Wire for PV plugs: 7 strand or 37 strand? [RE-wrenches]

[William Miller]

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Mick:

Rather than building leads, might I suggest building transition 
boxes.  These are illustrated on our web site:
http://mpandc.com/practices/Technical_Procedures/PV_wiring/PV_wiring.html

One of the benefits is that you avoid extra splices in your runs.  Think 
about it:  If you build an extension lead, you have the connection where 
you plug the factory lead into the extension and where you splice the 
extension into the building wire run to the inverter.  The multi-contact 
pins and sockets crimp nicely onto #10 THHN inside the transition box.

The transition box we developed also has a stainless steel bolt and sealed 
washer to transition the ground from inside conduit to your racks without 
leaks.

The alternative is either gland nuts (one wire per gland, or leaks are 
guaranteed) or romex clamps, neither of which seems suitable.

William Miller



At 10:07 AM 5/15/2008, you wrote:

>Hi, Wrenchies~
>
>I'm nearly ready to start building my own plug leads to match the new
>style PV modules. Multi-Contact sells a 37 strand #10 wire...and I think
>the strands are tinned.
>
>Common #10 sunlight resistant wire has only 7 strands...fatter ones...
>untinned. I would like to use up my remaining stock of 7 strand, but
>only if it will work OK with the plugs. Please advise, Wrenches.
>
>I asked Ken Jeby (sales rep for Lou Marks & Sons) about this. He said
>that 7 strand works A-OK, is widely used for this, and is all that he
>can readily supply. He also said that 37 strand would be more difficult
>to work with...
>
>I could switch over to 37 strand just to be on the safe side, but the
>Multi-Contact material is a bit more expensive, 1000 feet per spool, and
>not available in white.
>
>Perhaps I should dust off my contact information for Anixter Wire.
>Perhaps one of you could suggest a source for the fine strand material.
>Or perhaps I should just stick with 7 strand and not worry about it.
>
>Thanks as always,
>
>Mick Abraham, Proprietor
>www.abrahamsolar.com


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