How to Find The Right Solar Combiner Box Manufacturer?

Many solar combiner box manufacturers assert their superior quality and performance in the rapidly expanding solar industry, aiming to deliver the best products to the market.

If you are looking for photovoltaic combiner box suppliers, please read this article carefully. The article explains how to choose the right solar combiner box manufacturers from factors such as product quality, standard compliance, customization options, technological innovation, and durability. Understanding these factors will help you avoid common pitfalls and maximize the potential of your solar business.

The Right Solar Combiner Box Manufacturer

The Right Solar Combiner Box Manufacturer

What Are Solar Combiner Boxes?

We string together solar panel modules in photovoltaic systems to increase output power and reduce losses. The solar combiner box is responsible for effectively protecting and managing the circuits of the stringed components, facilitating subsequent power transmission and conversion processes. The main key components in the box include fuses, circuit breakers, and surge protection devices. The wiring is streamlined and safety improved while system monitoring is improved when these PV combiner boxes are used.

what is solar combiner box

what is solar combiner box

Solar Combiner Box Manufacturers Evaluation Criteria

A. Product Quality Standards

When choosing a solar combiner box supplier, you need to ensure that the product complies with the standards of your local market. Key standards include:

  • IEC 61439-2 International Electrotechnical Standard: It specifies the requirements for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies, including those for photovoltaic installations, to achieve safety and performance.
  • IEC 62790 International Electrotechnical Standard: This outlines the safety requirements and testing for DC side combiner boxes for photovoltaic modules, up to 1500 volts DC, ensuring reliability in various environments.
  • UL 1741 North American Standard: It describes the testing and certification requirements for combiner boxes used in renewable energy systems, as well as suitability for use in grounded power systems.

Manufacturers are committed to quality and safety. To ensure this, they rely on reliable DC combiner boxes that follow global industry standards.

Key Standards for Solar Combiner Boxes

Key Standards for Solar Combiner Boxes

B. Product Range and Customization

Manufacturers offer a variety of standard solar combiner boxes with different input and output configurations. Common types include:

Basic configuration

  • 1 string
  • 2 string
  • 4 string
  • 1 or 2 output optional

Basic configuration combiner boxes are mostly suitable for residential rooftop photovoltaic systems and are typically rated for 600V/1000V DC protection systems.

Medium configuration

  • 6 string
  • 8 string
  • 12 string
  • 1 or 2 or 3 output optional

Medium configuration combiner boxes are often used for commercial rooftop photovoltaic systems or industrial ground-mounted power plants, and are usually rated for 1000V/1500V DC protection systems.

Large configuration

  • 16 string
  • 24 string
  • more string…
  • output optional

Large configuration combiner boxes are suitable for large-scale power plants and are typically rated for 1500V DC protection systems. Due to the complexity of large-scale power plant projects, combiner boxes need to be designed and planned based on the project drawings.

Customization

Manufacturers can customize combiner boxes to meet your photovoltaic project requirements, including the number of strings, voltage, and protective components. You can also choose to configure monitoring modules.

  • Adjust the number of input strings and array capacity to meet the needs of different photovoltaic system designs.
  • Select the appropriate electrical enclosure based on the environment where the project is located.
  • Determine the appropriate project safety requirements and specify the use of specific fuses, slow-acting or disconnecting surge protectors, and disconnect switches.

There will be more detailed requirements for specific projects. It is important to choose an optimized solar combiner box manufacturer that offers a wide range of products and customization options to ensure that the photovoltaic combiner box is personalized to meet the technical and environmental requirements of the project.

C. Technological Innovation

Excellent DC combiner box manufacturers, with their wealth of experience and expertise in DC engineering, have developed several advanced technologies after thorough design and testing. These technologies provide higher safety for photovoltaic systems, enhancing their reliability and efficiency of the systems.

  • Monitoring Device: Monitoring the status of each string, bus voltage, status of breakers and surge protectors, and the temperature of the enclosure.
  • Rapid Shutdown Switch: Quickly cutting off voltage when the system needs maintenance or encounters a fault, ensuring safety.
  • Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI): It is a device designed to prevent fires caused by arc faults in wires. When an arc fault is detected, the AFCI automatically cuts off the circuit, reducing the risk of fire and enhancing electrical safety.

 

DC combiner box manufacturers continue to innovate to better meet the current photovoltaic industry’s needs for circuit protection.

Advanced Technologies in DC Combiner Boxes

Advanced Technologies in DC Combiner Boxes

D. Reliability and Durability

DC combiner boxes are typically installed outdoors and exposed to sunlight. They are even used in harsh environments such as highlands, deserts, coastal areas, etc. The combiner boxes must meet the IP65 protection level, which is dustproof, waterproof, resistant to salt spray, and UV radiation. This ensures that the equipment can operate reliably over the long term under extreme temperatures, high humidity, salt spray, and UV radiation, and other harsh conditions.

Warranty terms and after sales support offered by the manufacturer also have equal weight. A comprehensive warranty covers a product for 2 to 5 years, reflecting confidence in its longevity. 

E. Industry Recognition

When selecting a solar combiner box manufacturer, it’s important to keep in mind their market recognition. It means they have ensured that they offer quality and innovations. Manufacturers who obtain awards and certifications from reputable organizations have proved that they are following industry standards and they are, in fact, excellent. 

As an example, LETOP has undergone a series of certifications, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, for its commitment to producing high quality solar components. 

Manufacturers that have received such accolades are good for the industry to prioritize because they will provide confidence in the durability and performance of their solar combiner boxes.

Avoid common pitfalls

To avoid common pitfalls, it is important to navigate when choosing a solar combiner box manufacturer.

Technical Support

Choose a reliable supplier who can provide sufficient support when you face the complexity of projects. Although it may require a bit more cost, it is worth every penny.

Focus solely on cost

Ignoring quality for the sake of low cost can damage performance and lead to higher maintenance costs. Investing in high-quality components can save expenses in the long run. Strive for the right balance between product cost and quality.

Neglect after-sales service

After-sales service and technical support are equally important. Comprehensive after-sales service is needed for system maintenance and troubleshooting. Ensure that the manufacturer provides high-level support to maintain the stability of your solar energy business.

Focusing on product quality, technology, and after-sales support will lead to success and sustainability in the solar energy industry.

Manufacture selection

Manufacture selection

Conclusion:

When searching for a reliable photovoltaic combiner box manufacturer, all factors are important to consider. Choosing a trustworthy supplier is crucial. As a photovoltaic combiner box manufacturer, LETOP offers a range of high-quality and customized solar combiner boxes. Welcome to contact us immediately to get the photovoltaic combiner box you need.