Advanced Contact Technology

Critical Selection Criteria for Photovoltaic Connection System Mr. Alex Tan, CEO at Multi-Contact (South East Asia) Pte Ltd, Singapore

More than 49 years of success

The begin of a very successful story. Anextensive connector program emerged for alldifferent industry sectors.

Multilam technology inventor Mr. Rudolf Neideckerestablished the company Multi-Contact

Rud

olf

Nei

deck

er

FounderThe current transfer technology gets new dimensions

1962

Success based on ourMultilamTechnology

Many of todays patents are evidenceof innovative engineering knowledgeand the ability to translate this into market-oriented products

MC goes Group

The Stubli Group with activities in TextileMachinery, Robotics and Connectors forall fluids with headquarters in Pfffikon SZ(Switzerland) takes over the majority ofthe Multi-Contact Group.

Both companies and product lines willretain their identity, organization and salesnetwork.

Connectors

Robotic

Textile

2002

PV Connection Systems Solarline

PV SystemMC Connectors MC Junction Boxes

MC Panel ReceptaclesMC Cable

PV Connectors

Generation 1 Latching Connector MC3 UL & TV Recognized Component Factory and Field Installable connector

Generation 2 Locking Connector MC4

Largest Selling Locking Connector UL & TV Recognized Component Factory and Field Installable connector

MC4 Locking & Strain Relief

Locking system

Strain relief

MC-Multilam High contact force Excellent long time behaviour

Copper Crimps Very good electrical conductivity Ideal crimp behaviour

MC4 Contact Parts

PV Junction Boxes

Global Customers

Multi-Contact supplies more than 50 million PV connectors globally

Multi-Contact PV connectors continue to be the connector of choice forall solar companies, globally.

Our total PV solution brings the quality and longevity necessary forPV applications while also providing the value necessary to compete inthe PV market.

Standards

Relevant Standards for PV Connectors:

IEC61215: General PV climate tests No connector specific tests

IEC61730: Requirements of insulation material for connectorsNo connector specific tests for electrical & long term behaviour

UL1703: General PV module tests No connector specific tests

IEC61984: General standard for connectorsNo specific long term tests

No valid standard for PV Connectors with specific long term tests.

Selection Criteria

Important points which have to be considered when choosing PVconnectors for inverters and modules: Safety, long term behaviour & compatibility A certification just for IEC61215 or just for TV safety class II does not

mean that the connector is safe and long time reliable. For this acombination of several tests is needed.

There are some very important features specially for PV connectors whichare not tested in the above mentioned tests, e.g. resistance of the contacts.The problems are as follows: Higher temperatures speed up the aging effect.

With fast aging, the contact resistance again increases.

At the end some of the contacts fail and cause interruption, arcing fire...

Competitors & Counterfeit

Copied MC connector after 1,000 hours damp heat test at 85C.

Source: TV Rheinland

PV Junction boxes

Peel off PV junction box Broken PV junction box (after impact test)

Broken PV junction boxes (After damp-heat test)Source: TV Rheinland

Competitors & Counterfeit

Junction box which is not waterproof

Junction box with bad electrical contacts

Source: TV Rheinland

Competitors & Counterfeit

Project References

Santa Barbara, California - 12.6 kWCudrefin, Switzerland -9.7 kW Arnstein, Germany 12 MW

Arnstein, Germany 12 MW Osaka, Japan 5 kW Geneva, Switzerland 100 kW

Summary MC has established itself as the

Connector of Choice in the PVindustry.

MC continues to enhance the PV industrywith new products and developments.

MC has the capacity to support the globalPV industrys needs and futurerequirements.

MCs customer service and engineeringdepartment are dedicated to support thecustomers promptly.

MCs high quality and robust designs allowour customers to enjoy reliable PVinstallations with longer lifespan.

for you attentionThank youPlease visit our distributor DKSH at booth 43 for details:

Slide Number 1More than 49 years of successSuccess based on ourMC goes GroupPV Connection Systems SolarlinePV ConnectorsMC4 Locking & Strain ReliefMC4 Contact PartsPV Junction BoxesGlobal CustomersStandardsSelection CriteriaCompetitors & CounterfeitCompetitors & CounterfeitCompetitors & CounterfeitProject ReferencesSummarySlide Number 18