Reduce costs, install time with these new utility-scale Eaton solar combiner boxes (1,500 volt)

Power management company Eaton just released its new Crouse-Hinds series 1,500 volt direct current (DC) combiner boxes for large-scale solar photovoltaic applications. The combiner boxes are designed to help customers reduce system costs by reducing wiring requirements and installation time.

“As GTM research noted earlier this year, overall project costs can be reduced by three to five percent by moving to 1500 volt-DC systems,” said Tony Gulrajani, solar marketing manager at Eaton. “Our combiner box technology and other electrical balance of system solutions are supporting this trend by helping customers reduce installation time and use fewer components.”

Designed for 1,500v DC systems, the combiner boxes help facilitate longer strings, fewer connection points, reduced labor and lower installed costs. For application flexibility, the Eaton solar combiner boxes are available with or without integral DC disconnect switches, up to 24 input circuits and a 15 ampere (A) fuse size. The combiner boxes are also available with National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 4X, 4 and 3R enclosures for robust environmental protection. Additional customized options are available to meet specific application requirements.

RELATED: Eaton releases more powerful Power Xpert Solar inverters, 1,500-volt combiners 

Eaton engineered its 1500v DC combiner boxes for greater heat dissipation to help support performance in the harshest of environmental conditions. The combiner boxes are rated up to 1500v DC for continuous operation, meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1741 standards for grid connection, and are Interek (ETL) listed for reliable performance.

Eaton offers a range of Crouse-Hinds series cable fittings, enclosures, plugs and receptacles, industrial lighting fixtures, signals and alarms, and electronic components designed for the most demanding environments. These products serve customers in the industrial and manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, solar, infrastructure and other markets.

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: http://solarbuildermag.com/news/reduce-costs-install-time-with-these-new-utility-scale-eaton-solar-combiner-boxes/]