Wire and cable management decisions may seem small, but they have short-term and long-term effects, from improving installation efficiency and reducing site preparation costs to reducing O&M burdens and improving the project’s levelized energy cost (LCOE). We contacted residential-to-utility-scale solar wire and cable management system suppliers to see what’s new in their product lineup, what it is made of, how it is installed, and what makes it unique different.
[Button link=”http://bit.ly/3cuKxF2″ bg_c​​olor=”#ffbc36″] If you can measure it, you can improve it. Click here to learn how to use Mana Monitoring to create new things from your O&M operations Revenue stream platform. [/button]
Material: Heyco Helios UVX Clip is made of our UVX nylon material, which is very suitable for extreme conditions. The temperature range of Heyco Helios UVX Clip is -4°F (-20°C) to 185°F (85°C). Heyco Helios UVX Clips are part of Heyco’s 20-year solar warranty.
Installation: Heyco Helios UVX Clip can accommodate up to two cables with a diameter between 0.23 inches (5.8 mm) and 0.32 inches (8.0 mm), and install them into 0.260 inches (6.6 mm) mounting holes. The fin configuration of the mounting platform allows easy insertion but high extraction force, while the design of the installer loading cable allows easy loading of the cable but promising retention force. Heyco Helios UVX Clip is the perfect solution for hard-to-reach areas. *Spoiler warning* Heyco will soon also introduce adhesive options using VHB tape, suitable for applications without mounting holes, making them easier to install.
Main features: Although Heyco Helios UVX Clip is not made of stainless steel, it still provides a 20-year warranty at a favorable price.
Where to order? Distributors include: Titan Wire & Cable, Anixter, WESCO Renewables, CED Greentech, Rexel, Heilind Electronics, Border States, HW Eckhardt, Irwin Industrial, etc.
Material: Our proprietary solar electronic clip has been redesigned and is 30% stronger than our previous version. Solar E-Clips have been used worldwide with tens of megawatts of power. The exclusive hybrid material is rated at 230 degrees Fahrenheit and provides excellent performance at the highest and lowest temperatures.
Installation: The panel thickness of this component ranges from 1-3 mm, which is suitable for almost any solar module and various shelves on the market. As with all Heilman Taitong electronic clips (metal or plastic), the insertion force is lower than the withdrawal force. Believe it or not, this is not the standard for other wire management components on the market.
Main features: The enhanced solar E-Clip is highly regarded by installers because of its adaptability. The part fits a variety of edges and can easily accommodate up to six wires.
Material: Compared with traditional clip-on clamps, the series fuse PV-K/ILF with crimp connection can ensure a long-lasting and stable connection, with minimal energy loss and low heat generation, a sturdy housing and an IP68 safety rating. The cable cross-section is 10 AWG/6 mm² and is certified by cTÜVus. PV-K/ILF is suitable for applications up to 30A. Customized current strength and cable length can be provided upon request.
Installation: Installation is quick and convenient; it only takes a few seconds to click on the MC4 connector at both ends of the online fuse PV-K/ILF, and it is ready to use. When installing more than two strings in parallel, install one for each string to protect the module and inverter from costly overcurrent damage.
Main features: Staubli’s direct plug-in fuse PV-K/ILF has passed UL certification and is 100% made in the United States. The MC4 connector comes standard with in-line fuse PV-K/ILF, and the installer can easily find the matching MC4 connector to avoid plugging connectors of different brands together. The operation and maintenance team can have a Staubli series fuse on site for quick and easy replacement.
Material: Made of Lexan 940, the product has a service life of more than 40 years and can be used continuously. It is designed to withstand hurricane winds and extreme hot and cold weather temperatures and conditions. Solar Snake Max XL supports up to 36 750kcmil cables. made in America.
Installation: There is no need to dig trenches, overcome any obstacles or any conditions in the existing ground area to speed up installation. Solar Snake Max XL uses a transportation tool to accomplish this task. The transportation tool can manage cables from 300 to 750kcmil and comes with an easy-to-assemble click support system that is connected to piles of any style or size. Or the suspension wire or aluminum rail support of the pole. No special tools or on-site manufacturing are required.
Main features: Designed to take advantage of NEC 310.15 free air platform, without binding conductors, so there is no need to reduce the rated power of the cable, so as to maximize the collection of energy generated. After installing the Solar Snake Max XL, you can negotiate a better O&M contract because all cables are on the ground, problems or problems can be found, can be better identified and easily repaired.
Material: CAB torsion tube hanger is made of grade 3 galvanized high-strength spring steel, which has the greatest strength and corrosion resistance. CAB’s 80 mil (2 mm) thick PVC coating is applied to 100% of the surface to achieve flame retardancy, chemical resistance, and UV stability. They are also high dielectric grades with a dielectric breakdown strength of 400 volts/mil (.025 mm). CAB torque tube hangers have different working load limits from hanger to hanger, but most limits are 20-25 lbs (9-11.3 kg).
Installation: The CAB hanger can be installed quickly and easily without tools. They have a tight snap fit on most torque tubes or fixed tilt structures. Hangers can be installed, and cables can be loaded in just a few seconds. Compared with cable ties, clips or clips, this greatly reduces labor time. The typical single cable spacing is determined by the specific project requirements, but it is usually 2 feet to 3 feet. The spiral design secures large bundles of cables safely and effectively, and simplifies upgrades, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Main feature: CAB Torsion Tube Hanger is particularly effective in projects with double-sided panels, because the cables are bundled together and arranged neatly along the torsion tube. This reduces shadows, which is a common problem with typical wiring and fastener systems. In addition, CAB torque tube hangers are not only available in single bracket styles, but also in dual bracket and multi-bracket styles. Can be used for any customized configuration of torque tube or fixed tilt structure.
Material: The installation device of Heyco Edge Clips is made of nickel-plated steel-this steel clip provides high retention force while requiring low insertion force. The post-type nickel-plated steel mounting device is then inserted into an ergonomic housing made of nylon 6/6 anti-ultraviolet and thermally stable material. The cable tie is made of nylon 6/6 anti-ultraviolet material, and it is planned to provide nylon 12 cable tie in the near future. Heyco’s current products are rated for cable ties from -40°F to 185°F and edge clamps from -.04°F to 221°F.
Installation: Heyco Edge Clips are ideal for installations where there are no pre-drilled mounting holes or the temperature is too extreme for an adhesive solution. Heyco Edge Clips are pre-assembled with the inserted cable ties, so the installer only needs to push the edge clip to the exposed edge, route the cables, and then tighten the cable ties.
Main features: Heyco edge clamps are versatile-there are two different sizes to choose from (1-3 mm panel thickness or 3-6 mm panel thickness), installers can use these on the back of photovoltaic modules or in thicker materials Use them on, for example, purlins or module supports. Heyco Edge Clips are an excellent solution for managing bare cables or wiring ducts, pipes or sleeves.
Where to order? Distributors include: Titan Wire & Cable, Anixter, WESCO Renewables, CED Greentech, Rexel, Heilind Electronics, Border States, HW Eckhardt, Irwin Industrial, etc.
Material: This outdoor tie is made of polyvinylidene chloride or PVDF, which has high UV resistance, chemical resistance and heat resistance to polymers. The maximum operating temperature is 284°F. This product comes with a 25-year warranty.
Installation: It is designed to replace metal cable ties, as we all know, sometimes cut solar cables and cause catastrophic failures. Some metal cable ties require hand tools to crimp them closed, which is a time-consuming inconvenience.
Main features: The main feature of PVDF is easy to use. When you usually think of metal cable ties or coated metal products, they are rigid and usually sharp. In addition, you need a tool to close it mechanically. Using our PVDF solar cable ties, it operates like ordinary cable ties, but it can be used for a long time.
Material: These edge clips are made of a plastic shell with a steel clip and include a pre-installed cable tie. The plastic shell and cable tie are made of high-grade nylon, which is anti-ultraviolet, can be exposed to the outdoors for a long time, and can withstand a continuous operating temperature of 239° F.
Installation: Think about the edge of the solar frame-these clips are installed on the edge of the photovoltaic or other wires along which they are routed. This makes positioning easy and easy to install (no drilling, no adhesives), and then use the wires to fix the wire and cable ties . Just push the edge clamp to the edge of the frame to be reliably fixed. There are two basic sizes of edge clamps, one size is specified for panel thicknesses of 0.7 mm to 3 mm, and the other is used for larger frame thicknesses of 3 mm to 6 mm. Depending on how the trace will be positioned relative to the edge of the frame, different configurations can be used.
Main features: Panduit edge clamps provide multifunctional installation directly to the edge of the panel and frame. If the edge of the panel is available, if wires or cables need to be routed side-by-side or vertically with the edge, edge clamps can be used as a solution. Just push the base to the edge to be firmly fixed.
[Button link=”http://bit.ly/3cuKxF2″ bg_c​​olor=”#ffbc36″] If you can measure it, you can improve it. Click here to learn how to use Mana Monitoring to create new things from your O&M operations Revenue stream platform. [/button]
There are plenty of video interviews and other content on our YouTube page. Recently we launched Power Forward! – Collaborate with BayWare to discuss higher-level industry topics and best practices/trends for operating solar business today. New technologies and ideas so you don’t have to. We discussed everything from residential trackless deck connections and home solar financing to large-scale energy storage value stacking and utility-driven new home solar + storage microgrids. We also posted our annual project announcement there! Interviews with this year’s winners will begin the week of November 8. Go there and subscribe today to learn about all this extra content.
Chris: Read your article on wire management and Hellermann Tytons PVDF cable ties. Since 2017, we have had PVDF cable ties, much earlier than Heilmann’s. In fact, 8,000 were installed in the First Solar field test in Southern California. Hope to see you write an article about our SolarSafe Kynar cable tie.