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 August On Tue, Apr 27, 2021 at 10:42 AM Jason Szumlanski < ja...@floridasolardesigngroup.com> 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 <bl...@sunlightandpower.com> > 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 <coreso...@gmail.com> >> 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 <bl...@sunlightandpower.com> 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 >>>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> >>> >> >> -- >> >> Blake Gleason, PE | Employee Owner >> Director of Innovation and Technical Excellence >> O: 510-845-2997 x128 >> C: 510-867-5878 >> >> 1035 Folger Ave. >> Berkeley, CA 94710 >> www.sunlightandpower.com >> License #326203 >> >> <https://bcorporation.net/> <https://www.amicussolar.com/> >> <https://calssa.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. 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