August,
Thank you for this suggestion. I went to the site, and under "Two Sizes
for All Conductor Types" on that page it appears that there's a model
that'll work with 2-10AWG conductors:
"With the 6 mm2 (10 AWG) variant, you can connect all conductor
types – with cross sections from 0.5 to 6 mm2 (2−10 AWG)".
This would contradict what you wrote below, so I'm just checking whether
I missed something.
Thanks, Allan
On 4/27/2021 12:55 PM, August Goers wrote:
Hi Jason - I noticed that Tesla is using the Wago connectors in their
Powerwalls. They only go up to #10, but they certainly appear to have
some advantages such as easy QC inspection, compactness, and price. We
are in the process of trying a batch of these out, but I hadn't
considered using them in exterior J-boxes.
https://www.wago.com/global/electrical-interconnections/discover-installation-terminal-blocks-and-connectors/221
<https://www.wago.com/global/electrical-interconnections/discover-installation-terminal-blocks-and-connectors/221>
August
On Tue, Apr 27, 2021 at 10:42 AM Jason Szumlanski
<[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
I'd be interested to hear thoughts on Wago 221-6XX series
connectors, specifically for THWN to Enphase IQ/DG/TC conductor
transitions or just THWN splices.
On Mon, Apr 26, 2021, 8:40 PM Blake Gleason
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>>
wrote:
Corey,
Thank you! Agreed, the message from Staubli's Eng dept is
much less confusing (with the exception of the statement about
THHN tending to be solid vs stranded).
All -
What are you folks using to transition from PV Wire to
THHN/THWN-2 inside a junction box? We used to use split
bolts, which make an awesome electrical connection, but are
time-consuming and not easily serviceable. Wire nuts (the
right ones) are Listed, but never felt reliable for that
purpose. Same for WAGO levers. I hear about people using
Buchanan splice caps, but I wonder about trading one set of
crimping problems for another. And of course, the only
problem with using THHN in an MC4 is that the compression
gland may not be as watertight as it is with PVWire, and the
Buchanans certainly are not watertight. Terminal blocks
generally aren't listed, definitely aren't watertight, and
raise inspectors' eyebrows. Why is this so hard for me??
Best,
Blake
Thanks
On Mon, Apr 26, 2021 at 5:19 PM Corey Shalanski
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Blake,
In addition to Bryan's notes, here is some unconfusing
information directly from Stäubli's engineering dept:
The answer is categorically no: *you cannot use
THHN wires with MC4 connectors.* There are
several reasons for this:
1. _Certification_: our MC4 connectors are
certified to UL6703, which only covers UL4703 PV
wire or USE2 cable. Any other wire type is not
covered by our certification
2. _Internal validation_: we have no internal
testing or validation of how MC4 or Evo2
connectors perform with THHN cables. We therefore
cannot warranty / accept the use of THHN cables
with our PV connectors. The allowable cables and
applications for our PV connectors is clearly
stated in the assembly instructions.
3. _Construction_: THHN cables use very rigid PVC
insulators, which behave very differently than
XPLE or TPE insulators that are the most widely
used on PV wires. PVC has a very low elastic
range and easily deforms permanently under
load/thermal cycling. It is not a well-suited
cable for higher temperature or high temperature
fluctuating applications where compression-type
cable seals (i.e. cable glands) are used. Also,
THHN cables tend to be single-conductor solid core
cables, which are absolutely not allowed with
crimp terminations like the MC4 (or any other PV
connector on the market for that matter). They
also are not allowed by UL6703.
These comments were forwarded to me by Jeff Wang, who
works for Stäubli North America.
--
Corey Shalanski
Jah Light Solar
Portland, Jamaica
On Mon, Apr 26, 2021 at 9:23 AM
<[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Bryan,
Thank you for the link. I am confused by the "PVC"
section you referenced. Here's the complete text:
For safety reasons Stäubli prohibits the use of
PVC cables. Cables made from PVC can be connected
to MC4-Evo 2 since the insulation material of the
connector (Polyamide) is suitable to be connected
to PVC. PVC cables usually have an upper limiting
temperature of 70 °C, in fixed installations
sometimes 80 °C.
THHN/THWN-2 is made with PVC insulation, so I assume
that it falls under the category of a "PVC cable."
So, the first sentence seems to say that it's not
allowed by Staubli. But then the second sentence
seems to say that is IS allowed. And then the third
sentence doesn't seem to be contemplating the most
common PVC wire type of all (in the US), which is
THHN/THWN-2, which has a 90 degree rating?!
Can you help un-confuse me?
Thank you!
Blake
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--
*Allan Sindelar*
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
*505 780-2738 cell*
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