[RE-wrenches] Enphase installation details

[William Miller]

Mark:

I like the fact that they provide a perceivable detent when the connector 
lock is completely tight.  I am not qualified to judge whether they will 
last the 25 years the modules are rated for.  The beginning of the chain 
sees low amperage while the end sees the total amperage.  The pins seem 
rather slender for up to 15 amps...

We fully plan on replacing the typical inverter with new, better technology 
within the 25 year system life expectancy, but this will be more difficult 
with Enphase.

William



At 07:55 AM 11/13/2009, you wrote:
>William,
>
>What do you think about the reliability of the Tyco AC connectors used in 
>the Enphase system?
>
>Mark Frye
>Berkeley Solar Electric Systems
>303 Redbud Way
>Nevada City,  CA 95959
>(530) 401-8024
><http://www.berkeleysolar.com/>www.berkeleysolar.com
>
>
>
>----------
>From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
>[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller
>Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 12:04 AM
>To: RE-wrenches
>Subject: [RE-wrenches] Enphase installation details
>
>Colleagues:
>
>We are in the middle of our first Enphase installation.  I have been 
>working closely with the crew on this project and dedicated extra time 
>because we knew we needed to develop some new procedures to accommodate 
>the new technology.
>
>My most surprising realization is that with the Enphase inverters, the 
>roof-top wiring now has two levels of unprotected wiring, DC and AC.    I 
>have been working on an analogy for the recent evolution of PV wiring 
>standards and the best I can come up with is that the new norm is akin to 
>wiring a rooftop air conditioning unit with SO and USE.  Flexible cords 
>are more suited to portable, consumer connectable appliances in non-harsh 
>environments.
>
>We wrestled with two issues:  How to secure the AC wiring with a minimum 
>10 year longevity -- and how to secure the DC wiring with the same life 
>expectancy.  In a previous career I worked in the telecommunications 
>industry.  In a telcom facility we had access to many layers of wire 
>routing hardware and systems.  The PV industry has, in my 
>opinion,  largely ignored wire management.  Ironically, telecom wiring is 
>low voltage in an industrial setting and we can secure it systematically, 
>whereas PV wiring is high voltage, often in a residential setting, 
>outdoors, in high temperature and wet conditions and yet we are relegated 
>to the ubiquitous and fragile cable tie as our prime methodology.  It is 
>our corporate position that the plastic cable tie can not be counted on 
>for longer that two years in an under-PV environment and, since we wire 
>for a minimum 10 year life expectancy, the plastic cable tie is not suitable.
>
>Over the course of two days we developed robust and efficient techniques 
>for securing the AC and DC wiring.  I'd love to share our procedures with 
>this group, but due to extreme competition in our area, I must of 
>necessity keep any procedures that give us a competitive advantage 
>confidential.  This is unfortunate as my inclination is to teach, but 
>it  is a reality in this business climate.
>
>I hope the industry can eventually recognize some of these short 
>comings.  The solar water industry died an early death because of economic 
>pressures and shoddy workmanship.  It is possible that the solar electric 
>industry of today can suffer some of the same if we can't preform to 
>higher standards.
>
>William Miller
>
>
>Please note new e-mail address and domain:
>
>William Miller
>Miller Solar
>Voice :805-438-5600     Fax: 805-438-4607
>email: william at millersolar.com
>http://millersolar.com
>License No. C-10-773985
>_______________________________________________
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