[RE-wrenches] Wago Connectors (221 series)

Sat May 8 14:31:24 EDT 2021

This whole high voltage connection discussion got me searching, and I 
found Phoenix Contact makes a DIN rail mount terminal block that is 1000 
v rated.  That would seem to make way more sense than using MC 4 
connects in a J box, and would provide the access for voltage readings 
and torque check that William mentioned.  Has anybody tried them?

https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us?1dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a/usen/web/main/products/subcategory_pages/Modular_terminal_blocks_for_photovoltaics_P-15-09/eb8c193d-6a2d-4349-8f89-2d523fd5b04f

Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760

On 5/7/21 8:47 PM, William Miller wrote:
>
> Friends:
>
> Call me old fashioned, but I cannot get any confidence on the Wago 
> connector.  It seems somewhat akin to the back-wire mechanism on a 15A 
> receptacle.  This connection relies on a spring that is subject to 
> reduction in force when it gets hot.  We have seen many of the 
> back-wire receptacles heat up and get more resistive as heat 
> increases, creating more heat, etc.
>
> We have learned when connecting battery cables to inverters or 
> batteries that the best connection does not have any washer or any 
> intermediate object between one conductor and the other.
>
> I know wire nuts are not ideal (pun intended) but I like my conductors 
> to be in direct contact, or under a screw terminal where I can 
> determine and reconfirm the pressure placed on the conductor.  It is 
> also necessary to have control over the pressure applied to the 
> connection, which is why there are listed torque specs.
>
> Yesterday I was measuring the line voltage on an SB Series 22 
> inverter.  This unit uses the Wago terminal.  There was no way I could 
> get a meter probe into the Wago to measure line voltage.  I had to 
> take the cover off the electronics sections and measure voltage at the 
> circuit board.  I much prefer a screw terminal I can adjust the torque 
> and get a meter probe onto it.
>
> William Miller
>
> Miller Solar
>
> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
>
> 805-438-5600
>
> www.millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
>
> CA Lic. 773985
>
> *From:*RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>] *On Behalf Of *Dan 
> Fink
> *Sent:* Friday, May 7, 2021 4:01 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Wago Connectors (221 series)
>
> Jason; From the Wago 221 data sheet, it's listed to UL 486C, 600V, 
> 30A, Use Group C (industrial) . I have a copy of UL486C, and voltage 
> is just specified for dielectric testing. That standard specifies 
> tests with AC, because it is easier (and cheaper) to generate and ramp 
> up compared to DC, and DC test platforms are relatively rare.
>
> So my interpretation of UL486C is that because of AC voltage peaks 
> compared to RMS (Vpeak = Vrms x 1,414), a 1000VAC rated connector 
> under UL486C would need to be tested to 1414VDC. Working that math 
> backwards, a 600VAC rating would mean the DC dielectric rating would 
> be equivalent to 424.33 VDC.
>
> How that would apply to AHJs asking you questions, I do not know!
>
> Dan Fink
>
> Owner, Buckville Energy Consulting LLC
>
> IREC Certified Instructor for PV and Small Wind Installation
>
> NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector
>
> d <mailto:dan.fink at greendustrialtraining.com>anbob88 at gmail.com 
> <mailto:anbob88 at gmail.com>
>
> 970-672-4342
>
>
> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 3:43 PM Jason Szumlanski 
> <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com 
> <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>> wrote:
>
>     In another thread these connectors were discussed recently. There
>     was a question regarding the suitability for DC circuits. I don't
>     think we came up with any answers or consensus on that. I see the
>     connectors are UL listed to the 486C standard. I can't determine
>     whether that is applicable to AC and DC circuits. Does anyone know?
>
>     I have only used these on AC circuits and they have been very
>     effective. Now I'm curious whether they can be used on DC circuits
>     up to 600 volts.
>
>     While on the subject, I noticed they are UL 467 listed for
>     grounding and bonding. That's helpful where you have EGC splices
>     for conductors up to #10 AWG inside junction boxes.
>
>     Jason Szumlanski
>
>     Florida Solar Design Group
>
>
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