From Keeping Current - CCEnergy's newsletter, Summer 2002 Edition

Hot solar PV equipment and gadgets

In the "greatest thing since sliced bread" category, we are very excited about a product that makes PV installations quicker and easier.

The Multi-Contact® "Plug-n-Play" connector system for photovoltaics (pictured) is designed to permit timesaving, dependable cabling of solar modules. The connectors are pre-assembled to the PV modules at the factory and are UL-listed.

During installation, the pre-wired PV modules can be connected quickly without requiring tools. This reduces the time that installers spend on the roof, and lowers installation costs dramatically. An added benefit is that the Multi-Contact connectors can be quickly disconnected if a module needs to be removed or, in case of a fire emergency, the array needs to be de-energized.

Typical PV modules have a junction box with screw terminals for connecting the wires. Installation costs are high due to the labor-intensive process to remove the weather-tight junction box cover, attach the wires to the connectors, seal the wire strain-relief, and re-seal the box cover. Improper wire attachment and sealing against the weather are the major causes of module failure in a system installation.

CCEnergy members can now rent a set of tools for attaching the Multi-Contact "Plug-n-Play" connectors to #10 USE-2 wire. The tools are only available to CCEnergy members. For more information, please call 1-877-228-8700 or write to info@ccenergy.com.

Back to Summer 2002 newsletter table of contents