Soladeck cabling

[DaveDE2]

I've got PV wires and a ground wire running from roof top panels into a Soladeck box. I'm trying to figure out how to get these wires into the box with a water tight seal. Can I just use a Heyco type strain relief and run the wires from the panels directly into it, or do I need to put the wires in conduit? The PV wires are routed above the roof top along the Ironridge rails supported with polycarb wire clips and then exit the array less than 2 feet from the Soladeck. I think they could be kept off of the roof shingles. Thanks.

Edit: I'm mainly wanting to know if PV wires need to be run in conduit to meet code.

[inetdog]

I've got PV wires and a ground wire running from roof top panels into a Soladeck box. I'm trying to figure out how to get these wires into the box with a water tight seal. Can I just use a Heyco type strain relief and run the wires from the panels directly into it, or do I need to put the wires in conduit? The PV wires are routed above the roof top along the Ironridge rails supported with polycarb wire clips and then exit the array less than 2 feet from the Soladeck. I think they could be kept off of the roof shingles. Thanks.

Edit: I'm mainly wanting to know if PV wires need to be run in conduit to meet code.

As long as it is protected from mechanical damage you may run PV wire exposed. The thick insulation is nominal sunlight and weather resistant, but any color except black is likely to be off-white within a year or two if exposed to direct sunlight.
There is no reason not put it into conduit or sleeve it with EMT or PVC if you want to.
As far as getting it into the box goes, any of several types of compression seal that has a plug with holes for individual wires will work, or a gel packed seal. I do not know of any pure strain reliefs that provide a watertight seal, so entering the box from below might be a good idea.
Remember that "raintight" standard enclosures are not water tight either, they just will not drip water onto conductors when mounted as designed and will drain the water that enters out hole in the bottom.
A "Bell" box, on the other hand, is considered to be watertight if connected properly.

[DaveDE2]

Thanks. I think I'll run a short piece of flexible conduit from under the array to the Soladeck to keep uv off of the wires. I'm using USE-2 600v wire. Probably should have bought the 1000v PV wire. It has thicker insulation and probably a lot more rugged.

[inetdog]

Thanks. I think I'll run a short piece of flexible conduit from under the array to the Soladeck to keep uv off of the wires. I'm using USE-2 600v wire. Probably should have bought the 1000v PV wire. It has thicker insulation and probably a lot more rugged.

Note that under the 2014 NEC if you have an ungrounded panel circuit (transformerless inverter or Solaredge optimizer output) you are no longer allowed to use USE-2 so you must use PV wire.