[RE-wrenches] Module snail trails

Thomas Hall thomashall at SolarSpecialtyGroup.com
Thu Oct 24 09:54:41 PDT 2024 


Hello Jon.
Another thought……Was the site using  the SMA combiner boxes with the 3 SMA Tripower 15000TL-US -10?
We have had ground faults occur there internally. If it has a green test button inside the combiner box unit (polarity tester) …. replace the combiner with a different manufactures equipment.
I believe the model is called SMA 1000-US-11 String Combiner w/ Disconnect.

Thomas Hall
Solar Specialty Group INC C-33998
dba Specialty Group Electric
808-854-9539<tel:808-854-9539>
thomashall at solarspecialtygroup.com<mailto:thomashall at solarspecialtygroup.com>
www.solarspecialtygroup.com<http://www.solarspecialtygroup.com>
Certified Thermographer
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional ® 031310-92




From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on behalf of Jon Dixon via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 12:04 PM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Cc: Jon Dixon <jon at dixonpowersystems.com>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Module snail trails
Thanks Bryan,

I do not know the PV connector types for the modules or extension cables
we have not started working on it. I need to put a plan together for the
customer first.
Good to know about the Amphenol H4 issues.

Thank You

Jonathan Dixon
Dixon Power Systems
3250 N 20th St  Ste 1
Lincoln, NE 68521
402-467-3240
jon at dixonpowersystems.com

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:44:51 +0000
> From: Bryan Norkunas <bryan at pv-cables.com>
> To: "re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org"
>        <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>, "jon at dixonpowersystems.com"
>        <jon at dixonpowersystems.com>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Module snail trails
> Message-ID:
>        <DM6PR06MB509799A96435CE8318649E11E24D2 at DM6PR06MB5097.namprd06.prod.outlook.com>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
>
> Jon,
>
> Do you recall which PV connectors were on the modules and what they used for extension cables?
>
> Around that time, Amphenol H4 connectors had issues due to the plastic housings failing and allowing water into the connections.
>
>
>
> Bryan Norkunas
>
> PV-Cables Inc.
>
> 989 Milton Ave Ste 1D
>
> Ferndale CA 95536
>
> (707) 923-3000 office
>
> www.pv-cables.com<http://www.pv-cables.com/>
>
>   [cid:aa320544-f89d-44fc-a3e9-bb468c2d9953]
>
>
>
> [cid:867e1cba-ab13-4a98-9ecf-200189c32b6d]     Please print only if necessary.
>
>
>
> NOTE: This email message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by replying to this email, and destroy all copies of the original message.
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on behalf of Jon Dixon via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 9:07 AM
> To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Cc: Jon Dixon <jon at dixonpowersystems.com>
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Module snail trails
>
> Hello All,
>
> I have a local utility with a 50Kw array installed in 2015 consisting of 200 ReneSola 250w modules and 3 SMA Tripower 15000TL-US -10. They are having Arc fault code on two of the inverters. This has been going on for a few years now. It happens a couple times a year generally after a large rain. They just reset the code and it comes back to life.
>
> They gave me a walk through and we noticed that a number of modules have snail trails. I have attached a closeup picture I took and IR views of affected module and non affected. It was a 90 deg day when the utility took the IR pictures.
>
> Causes for snail trails that I found:
>
>    *   The difference in chemical properties of EVA foils and the silver contacts
>    *   The degradation extent of the EVA material
>    *   Water vapor permeability of the solar panel?s backsheet material
>
> I did find that if you have snail trails you will have micro fractures. I did see some info that micro fractures could cause arc faults.
>
> Finally my question is can snail trails cause arc faults also?
>
>
> Thanks Jon
>
> --
> Jonathan Dixon
> Dixon Power Systems
> 3250 N 20th St  Ste 1
> Lincoln, NE 68521
> 402-467-3240
> jon at dixonpowersystems.com<mailto:jon at dixonpowersystems.com>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2024 17:09:53 +0000
> From: Bryan Norkunas <bryan at pv-cables.com>
> To: "re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org"
>        <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>, "jon at dixonpowersystems.com"
>        <jon at dixonpowersystems.com>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Module snail trails
> Message-ID:
>        <DM6PR06MB50977334C1AA938F24F80930E24D2 at DM6PR06MB5097.namprd06.prod.outlook.com>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
>
> Looking at the pictures again, I wonder if there might be a pinhole in the back lamination that is allowing water into the module.
>
>
>
>
> Bryan Norkunas
>
> PV-Cables Inc.
>
> 989 Milton Ave Ste 1D
>
> Ferndale CA 95536
>
> (707) 923-3000 office
>
> www.pv-cables.com<http://www.pv-cables.com/>
>
>   [cid:8b840384-c5f3-42a6-b643-c70a0c8359f7]
>
>
>
> [cid:359044c7-87e0-453e-8b12-d03863f07a98]     Please print only if necessary.
>
>
>
> NOTE: This email message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by replying to this email, and destroy all copies of the original message.
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on behalf of Jon Dixon via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 9:07 AM
> To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Cc: Jon Dixon <jon at dixonpowersystems.com>
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Module snail trails
>
> Hello All,
>
> I have a local utility with a 50Kw array installed in 2015 consisting of 200 ReneSola 250w modules and 3 SMA Tripower 15000TL-US -10. They are having Arc fault code on two of the inverters. This has been going on for a few years now. It happens a couple times a year generally after a large rain. They just reset the code and it comes back to life.
>
> They gave me a walk through and we noticed that a number of modules have snail trails. I have attached a closeup picture I took and IR views of affected module and non affected. It was a 90 deg day when the utility took the IR pictures.
>
> Causes for snail trails that I found:
>
>    *   The difference in chemical properties of EVA foils and the silver contacts
>    *   The degradation extent of the EVA material
>    *   Water vapor permeability of the solar panel?s backsheet material
>
> I did find that if you have snail trails you will have micro fractures. I did see some info that micro fractures could cause arc faults.
>
> Finally my question is can snail trails cause arc faults also?
>
>
> Thanks Jon
>
> --
> Jonathan Dixon
> Dixon Power Systems
> 3250 N 20th St  Ste 1
> Lincoln, NE 68521
> 402-467-3240
> jon at dixonpowersystems.com<mailto:jon at dixonpowersystems.com>
> -------------- next part --------------
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