[RE-wrenches] Outback Breaker Problem and looking towards 2012

[boB at midnitesolar.com]

On 12/27/2011 8:14 PM, Ray Walters wrote:
> Hi Jeff & REwrenches;
>
> I haven't talked to a single PV installer that is happy with that 
> breaker post.  I'm sure plenty more have broken off those breaker 
> studs, thinking that they should behave like a normal breaker.  Most 
> have just shut up and thought they were to blame.
> Neither Outback nor Carling have any maximum wire size limit for that 
> breaker, so apparently you can land a 250 MCM cable without a 
> problem.;-)   Neither torque nor appropriate wire size and lugs are 
> listed on the breaker like most other UL listed breakers.
> Midnite Solar once again is the only outfit honest enough to admit 
> there could be an issue, and come up with a solution.
> First, they provide a light weight lug with their breakers, and 2nd, 
> their 90 and 100 amp breakers have a sturdier post type. This post is 
> available from Carling for the smaller breakers, if you special order it.



We have just requested that Carling start providing real studs on all of 
our C series breakers (MNEDCXX).

boB



> This isn't rocket science: the cross section of the metal tab is the 
> equivalent of a #8 wire, so both electrically and mechanically, that's 
> the appropriate max wire size for that breaker.
> Considering we've been breaking these tabs off for almost 10 years,  
> it seems its about time that they fixed the problem.
> They just shouldn't sell that breaker with that weak post type for any 
> applications over 50 amps.
> Note: post is not twisted, but bent from landing #4 wire.  This 
> resulted in a week delay, and another unpaid 2 hour round trip to fix. 
> (Outback or Carling care to cover my costs?)
>
> My 2012 resolution: Quit losing money fixing other companies' problems
>
> Ray Walters
> NABCEP Certified Installer
> BS Mechanical Engineering
> First Install: 1986
>
>
> On 12/27/2011 5:26 PM, Jeff Yago wrote:
>> Not only have I snapped off my share of rear studs on these DC breakers, but
>> have you noticed how the large 175 and 200 amp breakers have this large
>> "batt" handle molded onto this very flimsy strip of a plastic lever arm
>> going inside the breaker?   I have a whole box of these that were broken off
>> in shipment or during installation.
>>
>> I keep getting the feeling that all solar manufacturers have given up the
>> smaller off-grid and battery backup solar market and are only concentrating
>> on the large module and grid-tie commercial market.
>>
>> Just saying.....................
>>
>> Jeff Yago
>> DTI Solar
>>
>>
>>

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