Enclosures provide a home for solar panels

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 28, 2003

A new range of enclosures will enable manufacturers and installers to avoid the time and cost of producing and wiring a bespoke outdoor enclosure suitable for wiring solar panels.

Spelsberg's new PV enclosures enable manufacturers and installers to avoid the time and cost of producing and wiring a bespoke outdoor enclosure suitable for wiring solar panels and other outdoor HV installations.

Supplied with an application specific range of glands, terminals and connectors, the PV range of reinforced polycarbonate enclosures has the flexibility and ruggedness required for a broad range of applications.

Designed for maximum versatility, the boxes have a wide, shallow profile for easier fitting of terminals and circuitry as well as an integrally moulded click-top lid that provides IP55 protection and allows one-handed installation.

A combination of technical development, government incentives and higher production volumes are making solar panels a more cost competitive and effective option in the UK.

Although usage levels are still relatively low, market indicators show a potentially quickly expanding market with the number of applications becoming less specialised and more widespread.

Although the main area for technical R and D has rightly been the panels themselves, Spelsberg has developed the PV range of electrical enclosures specifically designed to help reduce total installation costs by offering customised flexibility straight off the shelf.

The units are available in three designs and supplied with a complete set of cable glands, terminals and connectors, either as accessories or complete and ready fitted units.

Purposely designed for higher voltage diodes, circuit boards and cables typically used for solar panel wiring applications, the enclosures save system design time and all the costs associated with designing and manufacturing bespoke units in-house.

PV enclosures are quick and easy to install.

Spelsberg's click-top lid system seals the units without the use of tools and an integrally moulded hinge also avoids lost or damaged components during installation, which is especially beneficial when working at height and in demanding outdoor environments.

Made from black halogen-free glass fibre reinforced polycarbonate, the units offer high levels of impact, temperature and UV resistance, making them ideal for a range of outdoor applications and not just solar panels.

Sealed to IP55 according to IEC 60529 standards, the units are available with three-, four- and six-pole terminals that have a rated circuit insulation voltage of 1kV.

The enclosures also feature a large smooth base, allowing for more secure silicon adhesion of circuit boards and greater manoeuvrability whilst drying.

The flat, low profile of the boxes (just 28mm high) also allows for easier access, facilitating maintenance and reducing cabinet space.

Two knockouts for cable glands are located at the front edge of the units for cables of 0.5-4mm2 wide and a range of eight different connectors ensures that users can assemble a unit for a broad range of systems very quickly.

Standard base dimensions are 141 x 101mm and the units are available ready customised from Spelsberg with minimal lead times, further reducing design time and costs.