[RE-wrenches] Combiner breakers tripping

[David Coale]

It could be that the breakers are tripping due to the cloud-edge effect.
This happens when you have a sunny day with a few puffy clouds drifting
by.  As the clouds start to shade the array, there is a focusing effect
around the cloud that will increase the sunlight on the array.  If the
breakers are close to the max output of the array, then they can trip
during these sunny/cloudy days.  Increasing the breakers to the next size
up, if the wiring will handle it, will fix the problem.  I have seen this
in a few installations.  Changing the breakers from 10 amps to 15 amps
fixed the problem.

David


On Thu, Apr 30, 2026 at 9:31 PM All Solar via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Wrenches,
> I've got a c client with an Outback PV combiner with DIN mount CBs. He's
> let me know a few times that 9 of 10 , or at least 50%
> of the breakers are tripping for no apparent reason. He resets, and all is
> fine for a few months.
>
> I suspect something is wrong with the array vs. the breakers needing
> replaced.
>
> What should I be looking for and checking?
>
> The client has made sure the breaker screws are tight.
>
>    - Off grid
>    - Pole mounted array
>    - Solarex 110 w Modules
>
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Jeremy Rodriguez
> All Solar
>
>
>
>
>
>
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