Eaton will be presenting, at this year's Solar Energy UK exhibition, a comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions that have been specifically developed to facilitate the grid connection of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy sources.
Eaton will be on stand F34 at the exhibition, which is the UK's largest dedicated solar energy event, where the company's experts will be explaining how Eaton and Bussmann by Eaton products cover all of the critical switching and protection requirements needed for the safe and convenient distribution of energy from solar panels to the power grid.
"Following Eaton's recent acquisition of Cooper Industries, we now offer one of the world's most complete ranges of ancillary equipment for solar PV installations," said Richard Molloy, Eaton's Renewable Energy Spokesperson. "Our products extend from the specialist dc fuses needed to protect the panels, right through to the medium-voltage switchgear that makes the final connection to the grid."
"A unique benefit of our products is that we design and manufacture all of them in house," he continued, "which means that we not only have total control over quality, but also that we can guarantee interoperability and compatibility. With the very high energy levels found in even modestly sized solar installations, these are important considerations if safe and reliable operation is to be achieved."
Among the products that will be specially featured on the Eaton stand are the Eaton PV-DB distribution board and the Bussmann by Eaton PV combiner box.
Fast and easy to install, and offering facilities for the paralleling of both single and three phase inverters, the Eaton PV-DB board comprises a standard distribution board section that is sized to suit the number of inverters in the system and their ratings. It also has a section that incorporates a G59 protection relay and contactor, a MID-certified kWh meter, a four-pole rotary isolator lockable in the off position and a socket outlet for use with G59 commissioning instruments.
The Bussmann by Eaton PV combiner box sets new standards for the protection, switching and monitoring of PV systems. Designed for system voltages from 600Vdc to 1,200Vdc, it combines the latest in overcurrent, overvoltage and monitoring technology in one robust, custom-built solution.
Understanding that no two PV installations are the same, Bussmann by Eaton developed the PV combiner box to be fully customised to meet the specific needs of the customer. Be it a small three string unit with switch and surge protection for use in commercial rooftop installations; or a fully monitored 24 string combiner box for use in large-scale ground mount PV systems.
Visitors to the Eaton stand will have a chance to interact with a live demonstration of a fully monitored PV combiner box, as well as inspect a wide range of other Eaton components; including dc fuse links and bases, surge protection devices, ac and dc isolators, and circuit breakers. They will also have ample opportunity to discuss their own solar PV requirements with Eaton's acknowledged experts in the field.
