Ray,
Exactly the same thing happened for me on a ground mount
system, 3500 feet elevation the the Sierras so open cooler air, fully
engaged MC4 factory connectors PV to PV connectors with SW285's, not
passing current, melted. No attempt to contact SW just made up new
connectors.
My calculation is with anything that is no doubt made up by
the bazillion with a machine (connectors, light bulbs, pencils, chicken
nuggets, etc) you're going to get some duds. In 20+ years of installing
PVs with factory made-up connectors, I've only seen this happen 2-3
times. Installing in the mountains we no doubt use ground mount much
more often than most installs in urban areas which would make a hot,
melted connector possibly more of an issue a couple inches above a comp
or wood roof. We've never seen any connectors fail beyond the
melted/deformed but still "contained" stage .
Back when SW was first transitioning from one connector to
another, I remember them saying they (I think it was UTX and MC or was
it UTX and Amphenol?) were compatible. We NEVER mixed connectors
despite their claim.
Bill
Feather River Solar Electric
4291 Nelson St. (Shipping)
5575 Genesee Rd. (USPS, UPS)
Taylorsville, CA 95983
530-284-7849, 258-1641(cell)
CA. C10 Lic # 874049
Solar Powered since 1982
Home of the Sunny Side Up
On 11/9/2023 4:31 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches wrote:
I'm trying to find a pic to post, but they were MC4 connectors, not
the UTX.
Ray
On 11/9/2023 4:57 PM, Brian Mehalic wrote:
Are they the Amohenol UTX connectors? SW had a recall on them, sounds
like about the right timeframe.
BREAKING: SolarWorld recalls PV modules with Amphenol connectors
<https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2017/03/29/solarworld-recalls-amphenol-connectors-sold-with-pv-modules/>
pv-magazine-usa.com
<https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2017/03/29/solarworld-recalls-amphenol-connectors-sold-with-pv-modules/>
<https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2017/03/29/solarworld-recalls-amphenol-connectors-sold-with-pv-modules/>
Brian
On Nov 9, 2023, at 4:47 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches
<re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
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.
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.
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.
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
On 11/9/2023 3:02 PM, Glenn Burt via RE-wrenches wrote:
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…
It may be an out to shift the blame, but it only makes everybody
get some on them…
*From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> *On
Behalf Of *William Miller via RE-wrenches
*Sent:* Wednesday, November 08, 2023 12:14 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
*Cc:* William Miller <will...@millersolar.com>
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Cable sizing for high current modules?
NEC interpretation/guidance?
George:
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.
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] *On Behalf Of
*George McClellan via RE-wrenches
*Sent:* Wednesday, November 8, 2023 9:06 AM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Cc:* George McClellan
*Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Cable sizing for high current modules? NEC
interpretation/guidance?
Team;
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.
Thx,
George McClellan | Senior Technical Sales Manager | REC Americas LLC
330 James Way Ste 150| Pismo Beach, CA 93449| USA
Cell phone +1 805 704 3226 | Fax +1 805 357 6104
www.recgroup.com <http://www.recgroup.com/> |
george.mcclel...@recgroup.com <mailto:shannon.k...@recgroup.com>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message is private and confidential and may be privileged. Any
unauthorized use, dissemination of the information or copying of
this message is prohibited. If you have received this message in
error, please notify us immediately and remove it from your system.
Thank you.
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
Pay optional member dues here:http://re-wrenches.org
List Address:RE-wrenches@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@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@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
--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
www.avast.com
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
List Address: RE-wrenches@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
