This technology has been in use for a dozen years in European equipment and has been used in many inverters that we install. It creates a gas-tight connection and is fully vetted through many manufacturers. I don’t think we need to be concerned about its ability to create a reliable connection when properly used – just as screw terminals and compression connections require proper preparation and installation, so do these.
The metallurgy used in the springs is not that of a simple malleable material, but is specifically formulated to retain its tension throughout its lifetime. Of course heat will affect any connection, however it is not more of a concern with this type of connector than any other one in my opinion and experience. And they are not really like those terminals in the back of a duplex outlet, except in functionality… We can’t fight progress and technology continues to move ahead. These terminals have been reliable and less expensive, as well as less prone to user error that most other options available currently. IEC testing and millions of deployed parts show a history of reliability. -Glenn From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of William Miller Sent: Friday, May 07, 2021 8:48 PM To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Wago Connectors (221 series) 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-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org <mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@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.f...@greendustrialtraining.com> anbo...@gmail.com <mailto:anbo...@gmail.com> 970-672-4342 On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 3:43 PM Jason Szumlanski <ja...@floridasolardesigngroup.com <mailto:ja...@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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