For Solar PV, Eaton has Convenient Switching and Protection
Date: 4 March 2011
Eaton’s new integrated PV Switch & Surge Unit has been designed to make the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems faster and easier and more cost effective. These innovative units were developed in conjunction with Solarcentury, the UK’s most experienced solar company. For the first time, the unit provides DC and AC isolators with surge suppression components in a single, easy-to-fit assembly.
To ensure safe operation and allow for convenient maintenance, all solar PV installations must include a DC isolator that can switch the power coming from the PV array. Additionally, an AC isolator that can disconnect the PV inverter from the mains supply must be incorporated. The provision of surge suppression components for both the AC and DC circuits is also highly recommended to protect the installation against damage from voltage transients.
The new PV Switch & Surge Units provide all of these functions in a single unit, which is supplied pre-wired, labelled and tested, ready for immediate installation.
This arrangement offers big time savings when compared with the traditional approach of using individual isolation and surge protection devices. In addition, the cost of the new units can be lower than that of the individual devices purchased separately. A further benefit is that, in case of problems or queries, the user has a single point of contact for advice and support.
Housed in compact moulded enclosures measuring just 274 x 259 x 138mm, Eaton’s PV Switch & Surge Units have an IP65 ingress protection rating making them equally suitable for indoor and outdoor use. They incorporate a DC isolator rated 30A at 600V and an AC isolator rated 63A at 240V, and so easily meet the requirements of domestic scale PV systems in the up-to 4kWp Feed in Tariff segment. As an aid to speedy installation, the units use standard solar panel connectors for the DC circuits and convenient screw terminals for the AC circuits.
AC surge suppressors are included as standard, while DC surge suppressors are offered as a factory-installed option. Both sets of surge suppressors feature user-replaceable cartridges, and both incorporate visual status indicators to show whether they are functional, or whether they have experienced and protected against a voltage surge and therefore need to be replaced. As the units have a clear lid, the status indicators and the positions of the isolators are always readily visible.
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Editor’s Notes
About Solarcentury
Solarcentury is one of Europe's fastest growing and most innovative solar photovoltaics (PV) companies. It is the UK's most experienced PV company. The private organisation was founded by Executive Chairman Jeremy Leggett in 1998. Solarcentury, now over 100 staff, continues to grow rapidly with staff levels expected to rise by another 30% in 2010/11 to meet increasing demand for products and services in the UK and throughout the EU. The company is led by CEO Derry Newman, ex Managing Director Sony UK, and based in London, with staff in the UK, France, Italy and Spain.
Since 1998, we have managed the installation of well over 1000 solar PV turnkey projects. Solarcentury has helped thousands of homes go solar through its supply of systems to housebuilders and through its network of regional associate installers. It is the founding company of the schools initiative Solar4Schools. Solarcentury's turnover was £34.5m from 2009 to 2010. In 2009, the company was named in the world's top 100 most promising private clean technology companies as a 'Global Cleantech 100 company' by Guardian News and Media and Cleantech Group. www.solarcentury.com. In 2010, Solarcentury was named the UK's Fastest Growing Private Energy Company by UK's Sunday Times Tech Track 100.
About Eaton
Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader in power distribution, power quality, control and automation, and monitoring products and services. Eaton’s global electrical product series, including Cutler-Hammer®, Moeller®, Powerware®, Holec®, MEM®, and Santak® provide customer-driven PowerChain™ solutions to serve the power system needs of the data center, industrial, institutional, public sector, utility, commercial, residential, IT, mission critical, alternative energy and and OEM markets worldwide.
Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2010 sales of $13.7 billion. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety.
Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.
Reader enquiries: Eaton Information Response Service, Grimshaw Lane, Middleton, Manchester M24 1GQ, Tel: +44 (0) 161 655 8900, Email: literature-info@eaton.com
Further press information: Please contact Melanie Hulbert, Technical Publicity, Tel: +44 (0)1582 390980, Email: mhulbert@technical-group.com
Colour separations: Please contact Christina Blake. Email: cblake@technical-group.com
To ensure safe operation and allow for convenient maintenance, all solar PV installations must include a DC isolator that can switch the power coming from the PV array. Additionally, an AC isolator that can disconnect the PV inverter from the mains supply must be incorporated. The provision of surge suppression components for both the AC and DC circuits is also highly recommended to protect the installation against damage from voltage transients.
The new PV Switch & Surge Units provide all of these functions in a single unit, which is supplied pre-wired, labelled and tested, ready for immediate installation.
This arrangement offers big time savings when compared with the traditional approach of using individual isolation and surge protection devices. In addition, the cost of the new units can be lower than that of the individual devices purchased separately. A further benefit is that, in case of problems or queries, the user has a single point of contact for advice and support.
Housed in compact moulded enclosures measuring just 274 x 259 x 138mm, Eaton’s PV Switch & Surge Units have an IP65 ingress protection rating making them equally suitable for indoor and outdoor use. They incorporate a DC isolator rated 30A at 600V and an AC isolator rated 63A at 240V, and so easily meet the requirements of domestic scale PV systems in the up-to 4kWp Feed in Tariff segment. As an aid to speedy installation, the units use standard solar panel connectors for the DC circuits and convenient screw terminals for the AC circuits.
AC surge suppressors are included as standard, while DC surge suppressors are offered as a factory-installed option. Both sets of surge suppressors feature user-replaceable cartridges, and both incorporate visual status indicators to show whether they are functional, or whether they have experienced and protected against a voltage surge and therefore need to be replaced. As the units have a clear lid, the status indicators and the positions of the isolators are always readily visible.
###
Editor’s Notes
About Solarcentury
Solarcentury is one of Europe's fastest growing and most innovative solar photovoltaics (PV) companies. It is the UK's most experienced PV company. The private organisation was founded by Executive Chairman Jeremy Leggett in 1998. Solarcentury, now over 100 staff, continues to grow rapidly with staff levels expected to rise by another 30% in 2010/11 to meet increasing demand for products and services in the UK and throughout the EU. The company is led by CEO Derry Newman, ex Managing Director Sony UK, and based in London, with staff in the UK, France, Italy and Spain.
Since 1998, we have managed the installation of well over 1000 solar PV turnkey projects. Solarcentury has helped thousands of homes go solar through its supply of systems to housebuilders and through its network of regional associate installers. It is the founding company of the schools initiative Solar4Schools. Solarcentury's turnover was £34.5m from 2009 to 2010. In 2009, the company was named in the world's top 100 most promising private clean technology companies as a 'Global Cleantech 100 company' by Guardian News and Media and Cleantech Group. www.solarcentury.com. In 2010, Solarcentury was named the UK's Fastest Growing Private Energy Company by UK's Sunday Times Tech Track 100.
About Eaton
Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader in power distribution, power quality, control and automation, and monitoring products and services. Eaton’s global electrical product series, including Cutler-Hammer®, Moeller®, Powerware®, Holec®, MEM®, and Santak® provide customer-driven PowerChain™ solutions to serve the power system needs of the data center, industrial, institutional, public sector, utility, commercial, residential, IT, mission critical, alternative energy and and OEM markets worldwide.
Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2010 sales of $13.7 billion. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety.
Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.
Reader enquiries: Eaton Information Response Service, Grimshaw Lane, Middleton, Manchester M24 1GQ, Tel: +44 (0) 161 655 8900, Email: literature-info@eaton.com
Further press information: Please contact Melanie Hulbert, Technical Publicity, Tel: +44 (0)1582 390980, Email: mhulbert@technical-group.com
Colour separations: Please contact Christina Blake. Email: cblake@technical-group.com