I totally agree; where else does the NEC allow loose single conductor
cables to run unprotected? outdoors? All because the module manus and
industry in general has made no effort, zero, to accommodate any type of
electrical industry standard K/Os for conduit, or TEK 90 (great stuff
BTW). If we hadn't gone this wacky direction, starting about 15 years
ago, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation, because there
would be much less reason for MLSD.
I could see whips of TEK 90 that plugged into polarized 2 pole quick
connects mounted integrally to a J box on the back of each module.
Teck 90 Armoured Power & Control Cable 600V CSA FT4 HL ...Llt M10
Bayonet Lock Molding Waterproof Cable 2 Pole ...
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760
On 1/29/21 8:10 PM, Hilton Dier wrote:
There’s a buried-in-plain-sight issue here that has bugged me for years.
In the bad old days we had to hard wire into J-boxes on the backs of modules. A
pain, but it meant that, if necessary, we could install conduit from the module
to the combiner box. Now we have convenient pigtails.
However, we are stuck with #10 PV wire hanging under the module from the box
to the nearest attachment point. There are all sorts of trays and wire
management systems, but there’s always that one loop of wire hanging in the
open.
I know that the module industry has near zero margins as a commodity market.
Perhaps one manufacturer could differentiate themselves by making a module with
either 1) armored pigtails, or 2) provision for some kind of conduit starting
at the J box.
I’m thinking of all the various back covers installers have to improvise on
ground mounts. I’m thinking of squirrels and ice dams.
Why can’t there be a module with the equivalent of Teck 90 cable on it?
Maybe I’m just being naive.
Hilton
Hilton Dier III
Renewable Energy Design
Missisquoi River Hydro LLC
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