The SOL30X PV fireman’s emergency switches

The SOL30X PV fireman’s switches
Photo by Eaton Industries GmbH

Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation offers complete, ready to install and connect PV fireman’s emergency switches, consisting of several factory-wired switch disconnectors, for photovoltaic installations. For a small investment, fireman’s switches which can be triggered remotely considerably increase safety when fighting fires in buildings with PV installations. Eaton also offers a standards-compliant solution which conforms to the new application guide VDE-AR-E 2100-712, valid from May 1, 2013. The guide specifies the measures required to maintain electrical safety in the event of fire-fighting. The technical installation requirements specify equipment for disconnecting at the end of a string / generator or at a building entry point as the top priority. The application guide explicitly forbids the permanent shorting of a string or PV generator.

As a competent partner for switching and protection technology in photovoltaic systems, Eaton is now adding to its established SOL30-SAFETY PV fireman’s switch with turnkey solutions in the form of ready to install and connect device combinations.

In the event of a fire, PV fireman’s switches de-energize the cable between the solar modules and the power inverter. This fully removes any danger to the firefighters resulting from live direct current lines.

With an integrated undervoltage trip release, the switch can also be actuated remotely using a “PV emergency off button”. If the fire services cut the entire building off from the supply network in the event of fire, this automatically triggers the PV fireman’s switches and thus cuts the voltage to the PV lines.

The SOL30X PV fireman’s switch features 2, 3, 4 or 6 fireman’s switches (30 A DC switch disconnectors with a 230 V, 50 Hz undervoltage release) in a common enclosure. The rated voltage is 1,000 V DC. With this, Eaton is responding to a frequently expressed customer demand, resulting from the fact that most PV installations in practice consist of several strings and voltages of up to 1,000 V DC.

In contrast to generator terminal boxes, the individual strings are not connected in parallel but fed separately to the power inverter. This is particularly relevant to installations with strings which feature different characteristics or are exposed to varying shading conditions.

The undervoltage release bridges momentary power supply interruptions for up to 600 ms, so that over 93% of all brief power failures and voltage drops will not cause a trip, preventing yield losses caused by unintentional release. All fireman’s switches feature auxiliary contacts with one N/O and one N/C contact. The N/C contacts in the combinations are factory-wired and connected to the modular terminals. This allows the switch position of the PV fireman’s switches to be queried and, for example, displayed with an external indicator lamp or sent as an alarm message by text.

The fireman’s switches are available with MC4 solar connectors or metric screw connections. The enclosures feature IP65 protection and are designed for a temperature range of -25°C to +60°C. All generator terminal boxes with PV fireman’s switch are provided with a pressure compensation element in order to prevent the formation of condensation.

Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader with expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; backup power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services. Eaton is positioned through its global solutions to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges.

Eaton is a diversified power management company providing energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power. A global technology leader, Eaton acquired Cooper Industries plc in November 2012. The 2012 revenue of the combined companies was $21.8 billion on a pro forma basis. Eaton has approximately 103,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries.

For more information, visit: www.eaton.eu

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