[RE-wrenches] Combiner breakers tripping

[All Solar]

These are not MN breakers.
After seeing that the module max series fuse rating is 20A, which is a
stocking item for us, along with the fact that it’s a 3 hr drive, I’ll
likely just replace the breakers.

Thanks for the collaboration snd feedback!

Jeremy Rodriguez
All Solar Inc.
Penrose CO
719-276-4954
Established 1998


On Fri, May 1, 2026 at 3:10 PM Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> I've also seen some Outback 15A breakers in combiner boxes just trip when
> they shouldn't.  Replaced with Midnite and quit having problems.  As others
> mentioned, going to larger breakers is usually fine.  I usually match the
> fuse rating for the module itself.  Many are 20A, which gets away from any
> edge of cloud stuff too.
>
> Ray Walters
> Remote Solar
> On 5/1/2026 1:55 PM, David Coale via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> 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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