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This time, the warehouse burnt down installed in Germany. In 120 cases it was junction boxes. The saving compared to
completely. The solar system on the roof of the solar system that caused the fire. original cables added up to a few hundred
the warehouse had caught fire again. It was Euros. It gave the installer the breathing
There was major damage in 75 cases, with
the third fire on the 450-square-metre space he needed to win the bidding war
the building burning down completely in 10.
photovoltaic system within the time of just a among PV providers.
Schmidt continues: “Fires are often caused
few weeks. Although the fire service had
when inexperienced installation teams Looking back, he explains: “The plug-in
quickly managed to get the other fires cables fitted perfectly, and at first glance
install systems on a piecework basis. If the
under control, this time they were just too you could see no difference in terms of
solar connectors are fitted with
late. The fire had been started by a PV colour and finish.” Now he faces a civil suit,
combination pliers instead of a special tool,
connector becoming too hot. The results: a the outcome of which could cost him his
or if noncertified connector systems are
disaster for the company and a livelihood.
used, then the weak point is built in from
compensation claim against the installer. the beginning. System operators should not Compatible does not necessarily
Minor cause – big impact be making false economies.” mean compatible
“Every fire is a fire too many,” states Dr. The connectors were to blame for the Everybody should be aware that TÜV and
Heribert Schmidt, Project Manager at burnt-out warehouse, too. They became so UL certifications are invalidated if the cable
Fraunhofer ISE. The institute deals with the hot that they caught fire. However, the PV systems fitted are not consistently from a
fire risks of PV systems and reports that, installer had only meant well. He chose certified manufacturer. Both testing bodies
over the last 20 years, there have been 350 plug-in cables that the manufacturer do not approve of combining connectors of
fires in the 1.3 million PV systems currently claimed were “compatible” with the module different makes. In the case of the
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TALKING POINT
www.pessolar.com 47
TALKING POINT
The manufacturers have less legal risk. Where the systems are not completely it can lead to major problems and
recourse against imitations, which can destroyed by fire, these connectors reduce dangerous situations. This is why the
look very similar to the originals. They effectiveness. The weather is often given as current systems need to be exemplary in
are often purported to be “compatible.” an excuse for a gradual reduction in power terms of reliability if knowledge of the
However, Multi-Contact categorically yield, but in reality the connectors are often added value they provide is to become
refuses to accept any liability if these to blame. more widespread among the population.
third-party products are used. Markus Quality connectors make an important
At the same time, if water penetrates into a
Müller, Key Account Manager at contribution to photovoltaics becoming a
connector with a faulty seal, it can travel
Multi-Contact Deutschland, notes: “If success even in the most remote corners of
toward the module as a result of the
you consider the importance of the quality the earth.
of the connectors for the safety of a PV capillary effect and cause flashovers that
system and its yield, I believe our position can cause expensive damages. It soon For safety reasons, Multi-Contact
is understandable.” becomes clear where the real risks are recommends not using forgeries
when these losses are set off against the
Consumers who have been offered MC3
Illegal copies of the MC3 and MC4 savings made during installation.
and MC4 connectors and unwittingly
connectors are cropping up more and more
When people rely on their solar systems received illegal copies have the right to
often, most of them from Asia. It is difficult
to differentiate these low-quality copies The subject is even more important if we replace the connectors free of charge. The
from the original just by looking at the consider cases where the solar system is costs are borne by the installer or retailer
outside. But on a technical level, the the only source of power. PV systems help responsible for the deception.
forgeries often demonstrate considerable improve the quality of life for many people
shortcomings when it comes to quality. And living in rural areas all over the world. For
the most critical of these relate to safety. example, solar systems allow better
Top of the list of faults are a lack of UV medical care and help people communicate
resistance and high resistance levels. with the rest of the world.
Resistances that are too high can lead to While the failure of a solar system mostly
the connector overheating and cause a fire affects us in our pockets, in these countries www.multi-contact.com
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