This whole high voltage connection discussion got me searching, and I
found Phoenix Contact makes a DIN rail mount terminal block that is 1000
v rated. That would seem to make way more sense than using MC 4
connects in a J box, and would provide the access for voltage readings
and torque check that William mentioned. Has anybody tried them?
https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us?1dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a/usen/web/main/products/subcategory_pages/Modular_terminal_blocks_for_photovoltaics_P-15-09/eb8c193d-6a2d-4349-8f89-2d523fd5b04f
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760
On 5/7/21 8:47 PM, William Miller wrote:
Friends:
Call me old fashioned, but I cannot get any confidence on the Wago
connector. It seems somewhat akin to the back-wire mechanism on a 15A
receptacle. This connection relies on a spring that is subject to
reduction in force when it gets hot. We have seen many of the
back-wire receptacles heat up and get more resistive as heat
increases, creating more heat, etc.
We have learned when connecting battery cables to inverters or
batteries that the best connection does not have any washer or any
intermediate object between one conductor and the other.
I know wire nuts are not ideal (pun intended) but I like my conductors
to be in direct contact, or under a screw terminal where I can
determine and reconfirm the pressure placed on the conductor. It is
also necessary to have control over the pressure applied to the
connection, which is why there are listed torque specs.
Yesterday I was measuring the line voltage on an SB Series 22
inverter. This unit uses the Wago terminal. There was no way I could
get a meter probe into the Wago to measure line voltage. I had to
take the cover off the electronics sections and measure voltage at the
circuit board. I much prefer a screw terminal I can adjust the torque
and get a meter probe onto it.
William Miller
Miller Solar
17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
805-438-5600
www.millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/>
CA Lic. 773985
*From:*RE-wrenches [mailto:[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>] *On Behalf Of *Dan
Fink
*Sent:* Friday, May 7, 2021 4:01 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Wago Connectors (221 series)
Jason; From the Wago 221 data sheet, it's listed to UL 486C, 600V,
30A, Use Group C (industrial) . I have a copy of UL486C, and voltage
is just specified for dielectric testing. That standard specifies
tests with AC, because it is easier (and cheaper) to generate and ramp
up compared to DC, and DC test platforms are relatively rare.
So my interpretation of UL486C is that because of AC voltage peaks
compared to RMS (Vpeak = Vrms x 1,414), a 1000VAC rated connector
under UL486C would need to be tested to 1414VDC. Working that math
backwards, a 600VAC rating would mean the DC dielectric rating would
be equivalent to 424.33 VDC.
How that would apply to AHJs asking you questions, I do not know!
Dan Fink
Owner, Buckville Energy Consulting LLC
IREC Certified Instructor for PV and Small Wind Installation
NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector
d <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>
970-672-4342
On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 3:43 PM Jason Szumlanski
<[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
In another thread these connectors were discussed recently. There
was a question regarding the suitability for DC circuits. I don't
think we came up with any answers or consensus on that. I see the
connectors are UL listed to the 486C standard. I can't determine
whether that is applicable to AC and DC circuits. Does anyone know?
I have only used these on AC circuits and they have been very
effective. Now I'm curious whether they can be used on DC circuits
up to 600 volts.
While on the subject, I noticed they are UL 467 listed for
grounding and bonding. That's helpful where you have EGC splices
for conductors up to #10 AWG inside junction boxes.
Jason Szumlanski
Florida Solar Design Group
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