We then take the total amperage and multiply it by a safety factor of 25 5a x 1 25 giving us the fuse rating of 6 25a or 10a if we round up.
Solar panel series fuse rating.
If a fault occurs in one string would there be a need for each string in the system to be fused in order to protect the circuit.
Maybe you opened up a solar panel s spec sheet and quickly spiraled into confusion because of words like wattage efficiency power tolerance and temperature coefficient what do all these mean.
I will have a set of three 100 watt panels in series with a circuit breaker.
This will cause the wires leading to that panel to far exceed 30 amps causing that wire pair to potentially catch fire.
In the case of panels in parallel a 30 amp fuse is required for each panel.
Look also for the maximum power voltage vmp which is in volts.
So you could safely wire 12 8 amps of modules together in parallel.
It has an isc rating of 8 87 amps and a fuse rating of 15 amps.
Fusing solar panel arrays wired in parallel now in the case of 3 panels in series and 4 strings in parallel if one string shorts the max amperage to short is 39 12 which exceeds the 30 amp max current rating of the 10 awg wire.
This means each seriesneeds a fuse breaker placed in the combiner box as shown here.
If a module s series fuse rating is 20 amps then you divide that by the combined safety factor of 1 56.
8 87a x 2 strings x 1 25 22 18a 15a fail.
If each module s short circuit current is 4 2 amps then you could parallel 3 modules.
What you need to know helping you understand what solar panel ratings are and why they are important to you.
For example if you have four 100w panels connected in series each producing 20 volts and 5 amps the total output would be 80 volts and 5 amps.
If your panels are smaller than 50 watts and use only 12 gauge wires and 20 amp fuses are required.
Optimum amps is 5 7 optimum volts is 21 6 and shot circuit amps is 6 3 and optimum volts are 17 9.
Kauaisolarman s hit 190 pvs have an isc rating of 3 75 a and a stated maximum series fuse rating of 15 a.
Mnepv breakers are available in a 6 a rating and that size breaker should not be subject to nuisance tripping.