[RE-wrenches] Combiner breakers tripping

[Jerry Shafer]

The breaker is in place to prevent back feeding in the event of a short
between the breaker and the modules, look at the max fuse rating on the
modules as a reference but don't exceed that value. Most are 20 amps now up
from 15 some years back. Look at each breaker closely and check each
breaker during the middle of the day and check for heat damage, also make
sure they are DC rated, I have seen this even on large arrays and the
combiner gets damaged as a result.
Fun times


On Fri, May 1, 2026, 3:05 PM All Solar via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> 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
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>>
>>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>>>
>>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>>
>>> Change listserver email address & settings:
>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>>
>>> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try
>>> the other:
>>> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>>
>>> List rules & etiquette:
>>> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>>
>>> Check out or update participant bios:
>>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> Change listserver email address & settings:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other:https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List rules & etiquette:http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>
>> Check out or update participant bios:http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> Change listserver email address & settings:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the
>> other:
>> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List rules & etiquette:
>> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>
>> Check out or update participant bios:
>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the
> other:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out or update participant bios:
> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20260501/c2116fbc/attachment.htm>