fusing panels

baja1
baja1 Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
im going to parallel a 110 watt panel on each of two strings of 4 75watt panels that are in series then paralleled at the combiner.
"with more than two parallel connections each panel must have its own fuse"
what am I protecting here the panels themselves or the wires going to the panels? should the fuses be at the panel or down at the cc?
also how do I size the fuse?
thanks guys
· Share on Twitter

Comments

  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: fusing panels

    You're protecting the panel from being back-fed too much current from the other panels should something go wrong. So if you have a panel with an Isc of 6 Amps you do not want more than that flowing through that particular part of circuitry, which includes that panel.

    You may have a problem paralleling one 110 Watt panel with a string of four 75 Watt panels: the string may have higher Voltage, no? When the Vmp isn't close on parallel arrangements you lose power.

    Mixing different panels is problematic at best. The only sure-fire way to do it is with separate charge controllers. That's expensive, of course. :cry:
    · Share on Twitter

Categories