<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr">I just replaced 34 pairs of connectors on SW modules that were installed in 2014 or so. Makes me a bit concerned for the many other installs out there. These were on a SunnyBoy that did it’s job and triggered and arc fault alert.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">The connector manufacturer seems to have tried to designed a melt-away logo but I think we can figure it out.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><img alt="image0.jpeg" src="cid:BC0CA011-9D61-438A-AF17-457DFD6A2FA0-L0-001"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">I see some O&M work in our future.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Best,</div><div dir="ltr">Garrison Riegel</div><div dir="ltr">Celestar Solar </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><blockquote type="cite">On Nov 9, 2023, at 6:33 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
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<p>I'm trying to find a pic to post, but they were MC4 connectors,
not the UTX.</p>
<p>Ray<br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 11/9/2023 4:57 PM, Brian Mehalic
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite" cite="mid:ADFAAC3A-808E-46FB-94FC-5DFD7B2EA7E1@solarenergy.org">
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Are they the Amohenol UTX connectors? SW had a recall on them,
sounds like about the right timeframe.
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SolarWorld recalls PV modules with
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<div dir="ltr">Brian</div>
<div dir="ltr"><br>
<blockquote type="cite">On Nov 9, 2023, at 4:47 PM, Ray
Walters via RE-wrenches
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org"><re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org></a> wrote:<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
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<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
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<p>12 Ga wire is not going to catch on fire, but the MC
connectors might. I just went back on a 7 yr old
Solarworld install, and had a bad series MC connector
(module to module). It got quite crispy, deforming and
bubbling the plastic on both sides of the connection. It
was still passing current; I didn't get a chance to
measure the volt drop. It was completely plugged in, so
not an installation issue. </p>
<p>This was not one of our connectors made up in the field,
these were Solarworld factory connectors on both sides,
same model modules. That also means no mismatch of "MC4"
connector type. </p>
<p>10+ amps continuous, moist environment, 30F+ hotter than
ambient temp, all are tough on connectors. I predict more
connector failures as module current ratings increase.</p>
<p>Ray Walters<br>
Remote Solar<br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 11/9/2023 3:02 PM, Glenn
Burt via RE-wrenches wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite" cite="mid:069b01da1358$73aa2070$5afe6150$@glbcc.com">
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<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">Good luck trying to convince your
customer that their house caught on fire because of a
manufacturers flaw, and you have no responsibility for
it…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It may be an out to shift the
blame, but it only makes everybody get some on them…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> RE-wrenches <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" moz-do-not-send="true"><re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org></a>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>William Miller via
RE-wrenches<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, November 08, 2023 12:14 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> RE-wrenches <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" moz-do-not-send="true"><re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org></a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> William Miller <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:william@millersolar.com" moz-do-not-send="true"><william@millersolar.com></a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Cable sizing for
high current modules? NEC interpretation/guidance?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">George:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Appliance
manufacturers have their own requirements that are
not the same as the NEC requirements. As long as
you are not modifying the manufactured assembly you
are not responsible for compliance of that
appliance. By appliance, I mean the solar module,
microinverter, etc.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">William
Miller</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Miller
Solar</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">17395
Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">805-438-5600</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><a href="http://www.millersolar.com/" moz-do-not-send="true">www.millersolar.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">CA
Lic. 773985</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">
RE-wrenches [mailto:<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>George McClellan via
RE-wrenches<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, November 8, 2023 9:06 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br>
<b>Cc:</b> George McClellan<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] Cable sizing for
high current modules? NEC
interpretation/guidance?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Team;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With the move to larger cells, some
modules have an Isc that is pushing the limits of 12
AWG wire. If I apply the rule of 156% (or 125% solar
derate*125% continuous load derate) to an 18 Amp Isc
module this will exceed the 25A that a 12 AWG wire can
carry. I understand that the homeruns will need to be
a larger AWG (10 ga), but do the solar module cables
(from junction box to MC4) also need to be larger?
Any guidance or reference material would be greatly
appreciated.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thx,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">George McClellan | Senior
Technical Sales Manager | REC Americas LLC <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:4.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:8.0pt">330 James Way Ste
150<span lang="UK"> | </span>Pismo Beach, CA 93449<span lang="UK"> | </span>USA<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Cell phone +1 805 704 3226 | Fax
+1 805 357 6104 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:navy"><a href="http://www.recgroup.com/" title="http://www.recgroup.com/" moz-do-not-send="true">www.recgroup.com</a> </span><span style="color:black">| <a href="mailto:shannon.kent@recgroup.com" moz-do-not-send="true">george.mcclellan@recgroup.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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