Solar PV Fuses & Surge Protection
Utility and large commercial solar projects require specially designed DC fuses for overcurrent protection in many applications. These fuses are installed in combiner and recombiner boxes that protect the panel strings. DIN-rail mounted surge devices are often installed to add over-voltage protection.
Mersen HelioProtection fuses are engineered and designed specifically for the protection of photovoltaic systems. Its enhanced fuse construction makes it ideal for constant temperature and current cycling withstand adding to system longevity.
Mersen STPT2 PV is a series of surge devices that provide advanced overvoltage protection to photovoltaic systems. They are designed with Mersen’s optimized dynamic thermal disconnection system, which does not require additional overcurrent protection.
Photovoltaic Wire for your Solar Cable Needs
Photovoltaic / USE-2 / RHH / RHW-2
Features:
- Sizes 14 AWG – 1000 KCMIL
- Copper Building Wire
- Permitted for 600- and 1000/2000-volt applications
- Sunlight-resistant in all sizes and colors
- Suitable for wet, damp, and dry locations
- Permitted for direct burial.
- RoHS compliant
- UL Listed E-326525
Photovoltaic / USE-2 / RHH / RHW-2
Features:
- Sizes 8 AWG – 1000 KCMIL
- Permitted for 1000- and 2000-volt applications
- Sunlight-resistant in all sizes and colors
- Suitable for wet, damp, and dry locations
- Permitted for direct burial
- RoHS compliant
- UL Listed E-326525
Protection Solutions for Solar Arrays
Grounded PV Arrays – Solve the Blind Spot Issue:
Using a fuse on grounded solar arrays for ground-fault protection can create the “blind spot” issue – a ground fault on the already grounded conductor of a PV array may not drive sufficient current to trip the fuse. Additional faults can go undetected and may cause unexpected behavior, leading to a high risk of fire.
Bender’s ground-fault relays detect low-level AC and DC ground faults on grounded arrays by using a differential measurement method, mitigating the blind spot issue. Advanced technology alerts technicians to conditions that may lead to damage to equipment or fire.
Ungrounded PV Arrays – Trend Ground Faults as they Develop:
NEC 690.41 (2017 edition), NEC 690.35 (2014 edition), and CSA C22.1 (CE Code) 64-068 require ground fault protection on ungrounded solar arrays. By measuring the system’s insulation resistance to ground, Bender’s advanced ground-fault detectors provide accurate readings of immediate ground faults, as well as faults caused by slow deterioration over time.
Bender offers a wide range of ground-fault detectors for virtually all size arrays, from small-scale deployments to large-scale, utility grade solar grids.
