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rooftop penetrations and combiner boxes

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  • rooftop penetrations and combiner boxes

    Hi all,

    I have 5 230W panels which I intent to wire in series to my Midnite classis CC. The panels have MC4 connectors. So it should go, + of one panel into - of next panel and in the end I will be left with one + and one - which I need to get through the roof and into the garage (not sure how to do this part). Do I even need a combiner box for this application?

    It's a rural area and the county only has 1 building inspector. At the time I was pulling the permits to build the garage, I talked to the building inspector to see if he knew anything about off-grid PV systems, he does not know. Is there a link or special section of the electrical code which pertains to off-grid PV? I need to do this safely for both people and the building.
    1150W, Midnite Classic 200, Cotek PSW, 8 T-605s

  • #2
    http://solarprofessional.com/article...ommon/page/0/7

    Been trying to help myself as well but I don't have the base knowledge in "pulling it all together" to be able to determine what is true and what isn't
    1150W, Midnite Classic 200, Cotek PSW, 8 T-605s

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    • #3
      Originally posted by thastinger View Post
      Hi all,

      I have 5 230W panels which I intent to wire in series to my Midnite classis CC. The panels have MC4 connectors. So it should go, + of one panel into - of next panel and in the end I will be left with one + and one - which I need to get through the roof and into the garage (not sure how to do this part). Do I even need a combiner box for this application?

      It's a rural area and the county only has 1 building inspector. At the time I was pulling the permits to build the garage, I talked to the building inspector to see if he knew anything about off-grid PV systems, he does not know. Is there a link or special section of the electrical code which pertains to off-grid PV? I need to do this safely for both people and the building.
      The DC side of the panel wiring is covered by the same code provisions whether it is going to a CC or a GTI. You do not need a combiner box for a single string, and you may not need to have overload protection between the panels and the point where the wires enter the building. But it will be a good idea to have a disconnect on the outside of the roof penetration. That could be a DC-rated circuit breaker or switch or a fused disconnect with touch-safe removal of the fuses. But do not try to open such a disconnect under load, particularly with a high voltage string of panels such as yours.
      SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.

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      • #4
        The adopted NEC code whatever one is in force.
        Article 690
        Since you are over 50 V the wiring will need to be in metallic raceway
        NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

        [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

        [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

        [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

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