Wiring Midnite Solar Combiner

lzhome
lzhome Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭✭
Could someone please explain the wiring on Break #3 and Breaker #4 counting from the left?
#3 has the common positive output into bottom of breaker and looks like feed to controller out the top? Is this a overall breaker for entire PV strings with a larger amp breaker? Necessary?
#4 has ground in at bottom of breaker and what looks like a jumper on the side linking bottom to top? totally lost on this one.


Photo from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Midnite-Solar-Photovoltaic-Combiner-6-Position/dp/B0041OJ2J6/ref=pd_sbs_86_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0041OJ2J6&pd_rd_r=WMR509XRQ823V973039H&pd_rd_w=qIvxI&pd_rd_wg=pxzgg&psc=1&refRID=WMR509XRQ823V973039H
TriStar MPPT, 8 x 100w PV, MNPV6 Combiner, 4 x 12v 155ah VMAXTanks AGMs and GoPower 2000w PSW Inverter.

Comments

  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think you're right on breaker 3. Yes, I think you need a breaker protecting the wire carrying the combined current to the controller. I'd prefer it close to the controller myself to make for a more convenient shut-off, but different strokes.

    I'm unsure about #4. It looks to me like it ties DC negative to ground through a 1/2a breaker, with polarity oriented for fault current coming from ground, which is a new one for me. Put current across it to open the breaker, and now DC- is at floating potential to ground? Maybe someone else can explain that one.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • lzhome
    lzhome Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭✭
    And I just noticed #3 and #4 are not on the bus bar...
    TriStar MPPT, 8 x 100w PV, MNPV6 Combiner, 4 x 12v 155ah VMAXTanks AGMs and GoPower 2000w PSW Inverter.
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The + side of #3 appears to be connected to the buss with the red wire to the square screw-in nut. Can't see what, if anything, is connected to the other (-) side of #3. Presumably, it would go to the charge controller.

    Connecting #4 to the buss strikes me as a bad thing.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 2017 #5
    Looks like from left to right, breakers 1& 2 are PV strings, breaker 3 is a main shut down which is redundant because 1 & 2 would protect the conductors down stream and would trip before breaker 3,  effectively shut down everything if turned off or tripped.. Breaker 4 looks to be a means to isolate negative to ground bonding, for testing purposes perhaps  ??
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    The two breakers on the right are normal PV string breakers. Too much current on the PV string, and the breaker opens (15 amps or so?). Connects to a single positive bus.

    The two breakers on the right make up a "ground fault detection/shutdown system". The breaker on the left is the main PV shutdown breaker, and it is tied to the 0.5 amp breaker trip lever. And the right breaker is connected between the PV return line and safety ground. If there is >~0.5 amp current flow between the neutral bus and ground bus, the 0.5 amp breaker trips which then shuts down the PV main breaker.

    This ground fault breaker pair was an attempt to reduce the chances of arc fault between a short of the PV lines and earth ground.

    I do not like this system and believe it is both unsafe and not code compliant--It was just a quick and dirty method to try and prevent some arc fault fires using existing UL Listed components.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • lzhome
    lzhome Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭✭
    Thanks for the responses. I will have 4 PV strings so I'll use 1 fuse for each string (15 amp). Now will I need to place a fuse closer to the CC for the PV combined positive feed or will these individual string fuses be sufficient?
    TriStar MPPT, 8 x 100w PV, MNPV6 Combiner, 4 x 12v 155ah VMAXTanks AGMs and GoPower 2000w PSW Inverter.
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    @BB. Are you seeing a link bar between the two breakers on the right, the extreme right connected physically to the main shut down, from the image I can't see a tie bar, resolution permitting. 
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @mcgivor - I missed the tie as well, but now that Bill mentioned it I think I can (barely) see a brass tie bar between the breaker handles. Sort of makes sense to me now, in a nonsense sort of way.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Personally, I would use the box as intended, with 4 breakers, one per string, to a common bussbar. It looks like the buss original was cut, so may need a replacement. A fault should open string breakers, but I would put a breaker near the controller for the combiner to controller circuit anyway. If nothing else, that lets me be certain the pv circuit isn't (and can't be made) live while I work on controller etc.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    I cannot see the breaker tie rod--But it is the only way that this configuration would "work".

    If the tie between the two breakers on the right is missing--Then it is not doing its job (owner can confirm if the two breakers on the right are tied together or not).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    that picture is taken right from MidNite Solar's instruction manual  ... http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/DC-GFP.pdf
    the install is apparently NEC 2008 approved
    This Link  lists TORQUE Specs for CB screws  ... http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/torque_values.pdf


     
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