A female connector and a male connector are provided with your solar inverter. They allow a simple connection between your grid and essential loads and your solar inverter. Using male and female connectors makes it difficult to reverse connection between the electrical network and the backup output while also allowing for an easy bypass of the inverter if necessary.

The grid connector is a circular connector that has an IP68 environmental protection rating. It can withstand a current of 25A for a cable section of 4mm².

The plastic shell encloses the pins of the connector which protects against direct contact with the conducting elements when handling the connector.

The grid connector has a latch that keeps it firmly in place once plugged into the socket of your solar inverter.

MC4 connectors are single-contact electrical connectors commonly used to connect the elements in a solar installation. The acronym MC4 stands for Multi-Contact 4mm diameter connector.

The MC4 connectors serve to effortlessly and safely connect the solar panels to your solar inverter. They allow for a fast assembly, by simply matching the male and female connectors, and keep it secure since they require a tool to separate them.  MC4 connectors are waterproof and UV resistant. They are used by the majority of solar panels and solar inverters manufacturers.

Description

The MC4 connectors supplied with your IMEON solar inverter are the original MC4 connectors and comply with TÜV, GOST-R, UL, CSA and CQC certifications.

The MC4 connector set consists of male and female components. One should note that due to construction of the plastic housing of the connectors, identification of male and female components is not necessarily straightforward.  For example, the male plug actually sits within a cylindrical shell which suggests a female type.

For optimum sealing, MC4 connectors require the use of a cable with a diameter corresponding to manufacturer recommendation. It is necessary to use a cable intended for solar installations which must have a dual insulation layer and specific treatment to resist UV rays. The MC4 connector is assembled using a dedicated crimping tool.

Use and security

MC4 connectors are rated for use under voltage up to 1500V which provides greater flexibility regarding the distance between your panels and your solar inverter. The current rating depends on the cable diameter and varies between 17 and 50A.

The MC4 connector uses the “MC Multilam Technology”, which relies on application of multiple spring loaded contact points used to decrease the resistance between the coupled elements which reduces the fire hazard.

Certification and insurance organizations strongly advise against combining MC4 connectors from different manufacturers.

MC4 connectors are supplied with your solar inverter to assure a lasting, secure and stable connection.

The type SA120 battery connector is said hermaphrodite; there is no plug / socket as such which allows one to plug the connectors without worrying about how one connects with its counterpart.

The battery connectors SA120 are keyed to ensure a proper connection even in case of a reduced visibility. Their distinctive shape prevent from connecting your solar batteries to the battery plug without risk of making another link to another power source.

It allows one to use cables in the range of 5.3mm² to 42.4mm² which allows connecting high capacity solar batteries to improve your self-consumption.

The SA120 battery connector is secure. It’s made with dielectric compounds showing a 2200V AC resistance which guarantees a safe handling against possible electric shock. The spring that is used inside keeps the connection firm between the two contacts. It prevents the connection from slipping once the battery is connected.

The internal design of the battery connector allows you to stay away in a safe manner from arcs that may form while the separation of the solar battery park from your inverter actually takes place.

The connector can stand a disconnection while a 60A charge is occurring between the inverter and the inverter solar batteries. The use of a battery breaker is recommended to avoid premature aging.

The SA120 battery connector is made of fire-resistant plastic. This plastic is rated UL-94 at V-0, which means that the fire will cease within less than 10 seconds.

The single-phase Smart Meter connected to the IMEON solar inverters and installed at the building’s electricity entry point, measures the total electricity consumption of the building. This electricity consumption information is then transmitted to the photovoltaic inverter which, in return, will control in real time the renewable energy injected to the local electrical network (building electrical network downstream of the single-phase Smart Meter). The inverter will aim to keep the power measured by the single-phase Smart Meter at 0W at all times, which means that the power consumed from the public electricity network should be offset as much as possible. The self-production rate will therefore approach 100 %.
In case of public electricity grid loss, the essential loads (such as lighting, refrigerator, freezer, shutters) which are coupled to the “AC Output” will remain powered. All other loads in the building will remain without supply and will be powered by the hybrid inverter when the grid becomes available, thanks to the single-phase Smart Meter.
The loads connected to the secured AC Output as well as those connected downstream of the single-phase Smart Meter will be powered primarily by the power generated by the solar array, then – in case of an insufficient solar production – by the battery, then – in case the battery is discharged or charging – by the public network.
The single-phase Smart Meter for solar inverters can significantly increase self-production and get the house further autonomous. It also reduces the possibility of an inverter failure caused by incorrect estimation of loads connected onto the secured “AC Output”.