Combiner Boxes Explained with Wiring Diagrams

Thenew1/8”thickcopp erbusbarisratedfor83ampsandisreversibleforusewithfusesorbreakers.In
thepast,customerswouldusetheMNPV6fusebusbar($13.00list)andcutitdownforuseinthe
MNPV3.NoticehowthenewMNPV3busbarissetupfor
threebreakersorthreefuses.Eachbreakeris
½”widewhereasthefuseholdersarealmost¾”wide,thusseparatefingerarrangementforeach
application.Thefactthatweareputtingthreefuseholderfingersonthenewbusbarpresentsanother
problem.TheMNPV3Deadfronthasthree½”knockouts.
Threecircuitbreakerknockoutsisthesame
widthastwofuseholders.Takeacloselookatthebackofthedeadfrontabove.Therehavealways
beennotchesthatwouldallowuptotwomorebreakers.Nowthenumbersdon’texactlyworkout
perfectlyforthreefuseholders,buttheydo
fit(3/4”x3=2¼”vs.½”x5=2½”).Therewillbea1/8”
gaponeitherside.Thenewadapterhelpscoverthisgapsomewhatthough.AlltheMNPV3combiners
nowcomewithadinrailthatwillacceptupto5breakers,so
threefuseholdersisnotaproblem.Wedo
notsupplyabusbarformorethanthreebreakers,buttheMNPV6breakerbusbarisavailablefor
$15.00.AtthispointyoumayjustwanttoconsidertheMNPV6asithassufficientroomformorethan
threebreakers.PVminusand
groundbusbarsinsidetheMNPV6accommodateupto14wireswhilethe
MNPV3accommodate6.
Bytheway,don’teveropenatouchsafefuseholderunderload!!!Thefollowingpicturesaretheresult
ofa250voltarraythathadonly5ampsflowingthroughitwhenthefuse
holderwasopened.Thisfuse
holderisULlistedto1000VDCand30amps.Itdoessay“Donotopenunderload”.It’sagoodthingwe
buildourcombinersoutofmetal.Thearcandfirelastedforabouttwofullminutesuntilitburnedout.
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Theupcoming250VDCMidNiteClassiccontrollerpresentssomeproblems.Therewillbeconsumers
installingthishighvolta gecontroller.Wehighlyrecommendprofessionalinstallation.Thepictures
aboveshowaveryrealissue.MidNitehasaddressedthispotentialproblembycreatinghighvoltage
circuitbreakersandnewcombinerstohousethenew
breakers.Thehigh
voltagebreakersareULlistedat250VDC.MidNitehasemployedETLto
conductteststobringthelistingupto300VDC.