ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

摘要

An electrical connector (18) is provided for electrically connecting a junction box of a photovoltaic (PV) module to an electrical cable of a power distribution system. The electrical connector (18) includes a housing (60) extending along a central longitudinal axis (68) from a cable segment (70) to a mating segment (72). The housing (60) has an intermediate segment (78) that extends between the cable and mating segments (70, 72). The intermediate segment (78) includes a flange (82). The housing (60) is configured to be mounted to a frame for the PV module. An electrical contact (62) is held by the housing (60) and is configured to establish an electrical connection between the junction box and the electrical cable. A biasing mechanism (26) extends over the intermediate segment (78) of the housing (60). The biasing mechanism (26) extends from a flange end (100) to a frame end (102). The flange end (100) is engaged with the flange (82) of the housing (60). The frame end (102) is configured to engage the frame such that, when the housing (60) is mounted to the frame, the biasing mechanism (26) extends between and exerts a biasing force on the flange (82) and the frame. The housing (60) is movable relative to the frame and along the central longitudinal axis (68) with and against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism (26).