Enphase connector protective caps

99999Macaw99999
99999Macaw99999 Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭✭
in PV Installers Forum - NEC, Wiring, Installation #1
I read that the enphase AC connectors must be capped with enphase caps when not connected to the 240V bus for extended time.  How long is extended?  Can I leave the AC connectors unconnected for a week?  Two weeks?  Should I go buy a couple sets of protective caps if the system will be un-connected for three weeks?
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Unconnected on a roof, or in a living room.   Roof, install the caps immediately. The contacts are not rated for moisture, when connected they are sealed.
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  • 99999Macaw99999
    99999Macaw99999 Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭✭
    #3
    OK Mike95490 from your comment I conclude that the contacts will oxidize and corrode if exposed to humidity as if they are made from carbon steel and then the 240V ac will suffer voltage drop and heating from poor conductivity.  Hard for me to believe but thank you for the input.  I'll go ahead and order a bunch of these things because I might be getting more roof replacement solar panel remove-and-replace jobs this summer.  From reading the company literature I thought it had something to do with the elastomeric seals losing their elasticity.  From my life experience it is very non-standard and not normal for a 240VAC connector to be as critical as a rocket engine ignitor cable three seconds before launch.  haha  Maybe they are worried about moisture weeping into the cable and it has nothing to do with the contacts.
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  • jaggedben
    jaggedben Solar Expert Posts: 230 ✭✭
    #4
    A poor connection to an inverter has the potential consequence of causing the inverter to drop out of producing power for 5 minute intervals after every little arc, because the inverter is sensitive enough to read those fraction-of-a-second interruptions as an unstable grid connection.  Corroded contacts on the cable will lead to arcing which will in turn corrode the contacts on the inverter, and Enphase doesn't want to replace either for you (especially the inverter) so if you don't cover them up then your not covered under their warranty.  Which I think is reasonable enough.  Specialty parts you don't find at your average electrical supplier, and might be discontinued at some point in the future, so it would be wise to take somewhat better care of them than you might other stuff. 

    Same thing goes for the DC connections to the inverter, although in the case of newer IQ models at least there is a replacement part for those.
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