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Hello Wrenches. I'm posting this on Bryan Norkunas' behalf, and working
on getting him signed up as a manufacturer's representative.<br><br>
Hi Jay, <br>
<br>
The testing which was done was a third party test I think through Interek
I believe, and not through UL. <br>
The testing of the H4 (not the UTX) and the MC4 compatibility was in fact
tested on 14AWG connectors only. There might be new testing out
there that I haven't seen, not sure.<br>
After that testing was done, Amphenol redesigned their connectors
slightly, to achieve UL certification for a higher voltage rating.
When this happened, we started seeing more MC4 to H4 failures.<br>
<br>
Amphenol has since taken the H4 out of production and we are no longer
able to source these direct. There is still a lot of stock out
there, but it has to be sourced through their distribution partners.<br>
The H4 connectors have been replaced with their UTX line, available in
both machine terminals and stamped.<br>
<br>
In regards to Walmart/Tesla our experience has been the compatibility
issue does not rise from the manufacturer of the panels. The issue rises
with the connector manufacturer. If there is a catastrophic failure in
the connection points the module manufacturers will ultimately bring the
connector manufactures to the table, which in turn will come back to the
contractors builders risk. <br>
<br>
Additionally, per "UL 6703 Standard for Connectors for Use in
Photovoltaic Systems" Section 1.5 states the following:<br>
<br>
<b>This standard covers PV connectors whose dimensions are not defined in
any national or international technical standard. Connectors are
identified and tested with compatible mating part (or parts if multiple
exist) and are to be of the <u>same brand</u>, unless multiple product
manufacturers are submitting under the same evaluation for the purpose of
proving intermatability.<br>
</b> <br>
<b>Bryan Norkunas<br>
</b><a href="mailto:bryan@pv-cables.com">bryan@pv-cables.com</a><br><br>
<br>
Jay wrote at 06:27 PM 8/25/2019:<br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> I've seen some paperwork
on something similar. It was tested with #14 wire, which of course no one
uses which makes it void. <br><br>
Also who is now legally responsible if there is an issue? <br><br>
I heard of a big US distributor who had a similar report done. 14 gauge
wire. After the fire, and all the lawyers the report/ certificate was
worthless, which put the legal responsibility back on the distributor.
<br><br>
What I don't understand is that connectors are about the cheapest part of
the install. Just use like for like and eliminate most issues and also
any liability. ( see latest Walmart/ Tesla fiasco, grab some popcorn
gonna be good)<br><br>
I've rarely seen like for like failures but many dissimilar ones.
<br><br>
PV Cables has them all, even the really weird ones. <br><br>
Info I've seen from MC says that different OEMS use different coatings
which don't always agree and can cause accelerated corrosion. Actual
sizes of the plastic and metal and tolerances can be off creating issues.
<br><br>
Just not worth it in my view. <br>
My 2cents<br><br>
Jay</blockquote></body>
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