Photovoltaic string combiner with disconnect having provision for converting between grounded and ungrounded systems

摘要

A string combiner is provided for coupling multiple strings of series-connected photovoltaic (PV) panels in a PV array to downstream equipment, each string including positive and negative conductors. The combiner includes a combiner box containing a busbar connected to the protection devices for receiving and combining the currents from the multiple strings of PV panels, output terminals for connection to the downstream equipment, and a disconnect device within the combiner box and including a multi-pole switch connected to the busbar for disconnecting the downstream equipment from the multiple strings. A plurality of connectors are provided for connecting selected poles of the multi-pole switch to each other or to selected ones of the output terminals in either a grounded or an ungrounded configuration.

主权项

1. A string combiner for coupling multiple strings of series-connected photovoltaic (PV) panels in a PV array to downstream equipment, each of said strings of PV panels including positive and negative conductors, said string combiner comprising
a combiner box containing
a busbar coupled to the positive conductors of said multiple strings of PV panels for receiving and combining the currents from said multiple strings,output terminals for connection to said downstream equipment,a disconnect device within said combiner box and including a multi-pole switch connected to said busbar for disconnecting said downstream equipment from said multiple strings, anda plurality of connectors for connecting selected poles of said multi-pole switch to each other in one of a plurality of available configurations including a grounded configuration and an ungrounded configuration or to selected ones of said output terminals in one of the plurality of available configurations including the grounded configuration and the ungrounded configuration,wherein the plurality of connectors are selected from a kit set of connectors that include different types of connectors which are connectable in the combiner box to selected poles of said multi-pole switch or to selected ones of said output terminals, one or more of the plurality of connectors being replaceable with one or more other connectors from the set of connectors to change connections in the combiner box from one of the grounded and ungrounded configurations to the other of the grounded and ungrounded configurations,wherein the plurality of connectors is one of a first subset of connectors selected from the set of connectors for assembly into the grounded configuration and a different second subset of connectors selected from the set of connectors for assembly into the grounded configuration, the first and second subsets including one or more of the same type of connectors,wherein the multi-pole switch is a three-pole switch, the first subset of connectors consists essentially of three U-shaped connectors and a first straight connector, and the second subset of connectors consists essentially of two U-shaped connectors and a second straight connector which is longer than the first straight connector.