samlexsolar SBC-2 Solar Panel Branch Connectors Owner’s Manual
- June 6, 2024
- samlexsolar
Table of Contents
samlexsolar SBC-2 Solar Panel Branch Connectors
GENERAL INFORMATION ON AN MC4 CONNECTOR SYSTEM
MC4 Connector Systems used to connect Samlex Solar Panels consist of male and female MC4 connectors and branch connectors. This type of connector system is easy to install and uses “snap in” safety locking tabs to lock two mating connectors, thereby avoiding unintentional disconnection. Also, the mating contacts are sealed against ingress of dust and water. Specifications are as follows:
- Contact diameter Ø 4 mm
- Maximum rated current – 30 A
- Maximum system voltage – 1000 V
- Degree of ingress protection when connected and properly locked – IP67
- Temperature range 40°C to +90°C
- TÜV Rheinland – type approved
MC4 Connectors
The MC4 Connectors and branch connectors mentioned in this manual have been
designated “Male” and “Female” based on the characteristics of the
mating contact inserts inside the terminals. In the MC4 Male Connector (1 of
Fig. 1), the internal mating contact insert (2, Fig. 1) is a male pin.
It has two slots (3 of Fig. 1) for insertion of the two “snap-in” type
of locking tabs (6 of Fig. 1) of the MC4 Female Connector (4 of Fig.
1) for firm mating connection. This connector is marked “-“. In MC4 Female
Connector (4, of Fig. 1), the internal mating contact insert (5 of Fig.
1) is a female cylindrical socket. It has two “snap-in” type of locking
tabs (6 of Fig. 1) that are inserted into the two slots (3 of Fig. 1)
inthe MC4 Male Connector (1 of Fig. 1) for firm mating connection. The
wire is crimped to the contact inserts (2 and 5 of Fig. 1) using a special
purpose crimping tool designed for MC4 connectors. After the wire has been
crimped, the contact insert is required to be seated securely inside the
housing and the strain relief/seal (7 of Fig. 1) is to be tightened fully
to provide a water-tight seal.
Note: Pairs of male/female MC4 connectors are sold separately. Samlex Model: MC4-2
Branch Connectors (Fig. 2A and 2B)(Fig. 2A and 2B)
Branch Connectors are used to connect two MC4 Connectors in parallel. Each Branch Connector has 3 branches – two on the one side & one on the other. The branches could be “male” or “female”. The construction of the branches is similar to the construction of the MC4 connectors shown in Fig. 1. In a branch connector, all the 3 branches are internally connected in parallel. A Male Branch Connector (marked “+”) is shown in Fig 2A. This consists of two MC4 Male Connectors that are connected in parallel with an MC4 Female Connector (marked “+”). This is used to connect two MC4 Female Connectors in parallel. A Female Branch Connector (marked “-“) is shown in Fig 2B. This consists of two MC4 Female Connectors that are connected in parallel with an MC4 Male Connector (marked “-“). This is used to connect two MC4 Male Connectors in parallel.
Wire Connections on Solar Panels (See Fig. 3)
Most solar panels come with approximately 3 ft of Positive (‘+’) and Negative
(‘-‘) wire. One end of each wire is connected to the junction box of the
panel. The other end of each wire is terminated with an MC4 connector (all
Samlex Solar Panel wires are configured this way). The Positive (‘+’) wire has
a Female MC4 Connector and the Negative (‘-‘) wire has a Male MC-4 Connector.
To extend the length of these wires for connection to a charge controller,
combiner box, or grid-connected inverter, the extension wire is required to be
terminated with corresponding Male and Female MC4 Connectors.
Warning!
When the surface of the solar panel/array is exposed to sunlight, a DC
voltage appears at the output terminals turning it into a live voltage source.
For example, a 24 V nominal solar panel may put out an open circuit voltage of
around 45 VDC that may produce an electrical shock. Multiple solar panels
connected in series (to increase the output voltage) will put out higher
lethal voltages To avoid any electrical shock hazard during installation, make
sure that the solar panel / an array is covered with an opaque (dark) material
to block solar irradiation.
INSTALLATION
Connecting two adjacent solar panels in parallel (Fig. 4)
two or more solar panels are connected in parallel to increase the current output at the same voltage. Fig. 4 above shows the arrangement for connecting two solar panels in parallel using the SCW-20-2 Connecting Wire Kit (sold separately) and the Branch Connectors. This arrangement is possible if the two solar panels will be mounted adjacent to each other. The output wires of the two solar panels are connected in parallel using the Male and Female Branch Connectors. The outputs of the Branch Connectors are then connected to the SCW-20-2 wires which connect to the external PV circuit.
**Connecting two solar panels in parallel when separated by a distance
(Fig. 5)
**
Fig. 5 above shows an arrangement for connecting two solar panels in parallel when they are separated by an extended distance. In this case, the following will be required:
- SCW-20-2 Connecting Wires – 2 sets (sold separately)
- One Male Branch Connector and one Female Branch Connector
- One MC4 Male Connector and one MC4 Female Connector (sold separately) Model: MC4-2
Use one pair of the connecting wires and the MC4 male/female connectors to bridge the extended distance between the panels. The Branch Connectors are then used to parallel the two solar panels. Use the second pair of connecting wires to connect to the external PV circuit.
Connect the MC4 connectors to the bare ends of each of the Connecting Wires as follows:
- Cut the two SWC-20-2 wires to the desired lengths depending upon the distance between the solar panels.
- Strip 0.25” of the insulation at the ends.
- Establish the correct polarity by tracing the wires back to the solar panel, if necessary.
- Crimp the male and female contact inserts (2 and 5 of Fig. 1) to the bare ends of the wire with the help of special-purpose crimping tool meant for the MC4 connectors.
- Install the contact inserts inside the housing of the MC4 connectors and tighten the strain relief/seal (7 of Fig. 1) fully to ensure a watertight seal.
2 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
The SBC-2 Solar Panel Branch Connectors manufactured by Samlex America Inc. (the “Warrantor“) are warranted to be free from defects in workmanship and materials under normal use and service. The warranty period is 2 years for the United States and Canada and is in effect from the date of purchase by the user (the “Purchaser“). Warranty outside of the United States and Canada is limited to 6 months. For a warranty claim, the Purchaser should contact the place of purchase to obtain a Return Authorization Number.
The defective part or unit should be returned at the Purchaser’s expense to the authorized location. A written statement describing the nature of the defect, the date of purchase, the place of purchase, and the Purchaser’s name, address, and telephone number should also be included. If upon the Warrantor’s examination, the defect proves to be the result of defective material or workmanship, the equipment will be repaired or replaced at the Warrantor’s option without charge and returned to the Purchaser at the Warrantor’s expense. (The contiguous US and Canada only) No refund of the purchase price will be granted to the Purchaser unless the Warrantor is unable to remedy the defect after having a reasonable number of opportunities to do so.
Warranty service shall be performed only by the Warrantor. Any attempt to remedy the defect by anyone other than the Warrantor shall render this warranty void. There shall be no warranty for defects or damages caused by faulty installation or hook-up, abuse or misuse of the equipment including exposure to excessive heat, salt or freshwater spray, or water immersion. No other express warranty is hereby given and there are no warranties that extend beyond those described herein. This warranty is expressly in lieu of any other expressed or implied warranties, including any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for the ordinary purposes for which such goods are used, or fitness for a particular purpose, or any other obligations on the part of the Warrantor or its employees and representatives.
There shall be no responsibility or liability whatsoever on the part of the Warrantor or its employees and representatives for injury to any persons, or damage to person or persons, or damage to property, or loss of income or profit, or any other consequential or resulting in damage which may be claimed to have been incurred through the use or sale of the equipment, including any possible failure of malfunction of the equipment, or part thereof. The Warrantor assumes no liability for incidental or consequential damages of any kind.
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