PV Fuse
Appliccation
This series of fuse is suitable for solar photovoltaic power generation system, rated voltage to1500V,rated current to 630A, used in photovoltaic power generation equipment as a photovoltaic module string and photovoltaic array for over current protection, and photovoltaic panels,and batteries connected in series and parallel, to charge variable flow system for short circuit breaking protection, in photovoltaic station and inverter rectifier system for short-circuit breaking protection,as well as photovoltaic power generation system,inrush current and short circuit fault voltage for quick break protection, rated breaking capacity to 10~50kA，products confirms to IEC 60629.1 and 60629.6.
Your Professional PV Fuse Supplier
Founded in 1988, Chifeng Electric has evolved to be a competitive fuse brand in China with well-established and growing platforms in circuit protection technologies. We offer the industry's broad portfolio of fuse products, and We focus on solar markets while expanding into adjacent renewable energy markets as part of our corporate strategy of diversity growth.
Why Choose Us?
Rich experience
Founded in 1988, Chifeng Electric has evolved to be a competitive fuse brand in China with well-established and growing platforms in circuit protection technologies.
Complete range of products
Photovoltaic Fuses, ESS Fuses, High speed Fuses, Semiconductor Fuses, IEC Fuses, UL Fuses.
Advanced equipment
Electrical characteristics testing machines, Environmental tolerance test machines, Automatic fuse element stamping machines, Automatic fuse assemble machines, Automatic printing machine etc.
High quality service
5000 square meters workshop, 100 professional employees and 30 years of innovation and unwavering commitment to customer service enable us to provide objective, comprehensive, and personalized customer solutions for circuit protection.
What Is PV Fuse
A solar fuse, or PV fuse, is a device that electricians use to protect solar circuits against excessive currents, also called overcurrents. An overcurrent refers to the abnormal flow of electricity that occurs due to a number of factors, such as: Short circuits. Faulty equipment. Lightning strikes.
Solar panels form circuits, and like other circuits, they can sustain damage when exposed to excess current. The solar panels, as well as the wiring, can only withstand so much electricity. In the event of overcurrent, they will exceed this limit, which can result in damage or even a fire.
PV fuses protect solar power equipment from overcurrent. You can find them in different places. In some solar panel installations, a PV fuse is placed between the batteries and the charge controller. In other solar panel installations, a face is placed between the battery bank and the inverter.
It's important to note that PV fuses are common with solar panel installations, but not all solar panel installations have them. Whether a solar panel installation uses series or parallel wiring will often determine whether it's equipped with a PV fuse. Solar panels wired in series typically don't have a PV fuse, whereas those wires in parallel do have a PV fuse.
When wired in parallel, the current of the solar panels is more likely to exceed the amps. This increases the risk of overcurrent, which is why parallel-wired solar panel installations typically have a PV fuse.
How To PV Fuse Your Solar PV System
When connecting solar PV system, the most ideal approach to add assurance is by using PV fuses or solar circuit breakers. The correct use of PV fuses and circuit breakers is important to maintain safety. PV fuses and circuit breakers are used to protect the wiring from getting excessively hot and also protect all devices connected to the system from bursting into flames or getting harmed if a short circuit happens.
If a short develops in your AC/DC inverter for example, a PV fuse between it and the battery will prevent a possible explosion of the battery and it will cut the circuit fast enough to prevent the wires from bursting into flames or getting hazardously hot. For this situation, the battery, wires, and AC/DC inverter will be securely disabled by the PV fuse. They are not necessary for the system to run properly, but we always suggest using PV fuses or circuit breakers for safety purposes.
There are three different locations where we suggest installing PV fuses or breakers: first, between the charge controller and battery bank, second, between the charge controller and solar panels, and third would be between the battery bank and inverter.
To determine the PV fuse size required between the charge controller and battery bank you simply match the amperage rating on the charge controller.
The second PV fuse between your solar panels and charge controller is somewhat different to figure out. The size of this PV fuse is dependent on how many solar panels you have and how they are connected (series, parallel, or series/parallel). If the panels are connected in series, the voltage of each panel is added but the amperage stays the same.
The last PV fuse that we suggest in the system would be if you are using an inverter. Wiring and fusing from the battery to the AC/DC inverter is critical because this is where the maximum current can flow. This PV fuse would be between your inverter and the battery bank. The PV fuse size is normally stated in the manual and most inverters is likely to have built-in PV fuses/circuit breakers on the input and output (AC) sides of the device.
To determine the normal PV fuse size use this equation:
String circuit ampacity = Short Circuit Current (Isc) X 1.56=PV fuse Size.
For the DC side of the circuit, the short circuit current (Isc) is used for this calculation. If your PV fuse will be placed inside a combiner or junction box, then Isc will equal the short-circuit current spec for the PV modules.
● Example
String Short Circuit Current 8.73 amps (Isc) X 1.56 = 13.62 amps. PV fuses are rated in standard sizes of 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 amps. The NEC states that you must select the closest size at or just above the ampacity value. For 13.62 amps, you would use a 15 Amp PV fuse or circuit breaker.
Things to remember when sizing your solar combiner box.
● For Series Solar Strings
1. The current passing through the string will stay the same as one panel regardless of the number of panels in the string.
2. The voltage increases with each panel you add. The voltage will be the sum of all the panels connected in series.
● For Parallel Solar Strings
1. The current passing through the string will increase with each panel added. Your total current will be the sum of all the panels in the string.
2. The voltage stays the same with each panel you add. Example, if each panel connected in Parallel is 12V, your total output voltage will still only be 12V regardless of how many panels you add.
Due to the unique conditions of PV installations, PV fuses have three characteristics that are unnecessary in non-PV applications:
● A higher DC voltage rating
● The ability to withstand harsh, fluctuating temperature changes
● Improved current cycling
● A Higher DC Voltage Rating
Before PV power became a significant source of utility energy generation, most low-voltage dc systems used 300 V dc and below. The physical size of most PV installations has grown immensely since then, and in turn, so has the amount of power these systems generate.
PV fuses are currently required to have voltage levels between 450 V dc and 1500 V dc, which enables them to protect higher power modules. This increase in system voltages is intended to minimize any power loss associated with long conductor runs.
● The Ability to Withstand Harsh, Fluctuating Temperature Changes
PV fuses can operate in a wide temperature range, from an extreme cold of -40 °C to an extreme heat of +90 °C. In some regions, PV power systems need to function where extreme temperature variations occur in repeated daytime or nighttime cycles. Therefore, the thermal cycling capability of PV fuses is important to these systems' safety and long-term reliability.
● Improved Current Cycling
PV panels and circuits are subject to inconsistent current levels when sunrise, sunset, clouds, and stormy weather cause fluctuations in power generation. Under these weather conditions, the inconsistent current levels create current cycling, which non-PV fuses are neither designed for nor tested to protect against. Using non-PV fuses under these weather conditions would therefore create nuisance tripping.
Standard fuses also do not provide sufficient protection against periods of low-overload currents, which are more typical in PV applications than in non-PV applications. PV fuses can eliminate overcurrents that would otherwise lead to overheating during low-overload fault conditions.
Therefore, only fuses designed for PV systems may be used in these applications. The result is better longevity, reliability, and safety for the PV power equipment.
● Fault Currents Affect PV Panels
A fault current is one of the primary causes of PV panel failure. A PV panel if not properly protected could be subject to melting, arcing, fire, and heat-damaged equipment and property.
A safety margin in PV fuse selection means you add extra capacity to handle unexpected surges. It's like wearing a helmet when biking – it gives extra head protection just in case. This cushion helps prevent fires or equipment damage if something goes wrong, such as a sudden increase in current.
A good rule is to use a PV fuse rated 25% higher than the system's expected amperage. So for your solar panel system, this buffer ensures everything operates within safe limits.
Having the right PV fuse size with an added safety margin protects both the solar array and connected devices. If your 200W panel suddenly draws more power due to strong sunlight or a fault, the properly sized PV fuse will cut off excess electricity before harm occurs.
Think of it as insurance for your solar investment that maintains peace of mind and keeps things running smoothly over time.
PV Fuse Protection for PV Arrays
Depending on the desired capacity of the Photovoltaic (PV) system, there may be several PV sub-arrays (each subarray consists of multiple strings) connected in parallel to achieve higher currents and subsequently more power.
A PV fuse link on each sub-array will protect the conductors from current faults and help minimise any safety hazards. It will also isolate the faulted sub-array so that the rest of the PV system can continue to generate electricity. If a number of sub-arrays are subsequently combined then a further PV fuse link should be incorporated. This would be termed the array PV fuse link.
A range of size PV fuse links specifically designed for protecting and isolating photovoltaic array combiners and disconnects. These PV fuse links are capable of interrupting low over currents associated with faulted PV systems (reverse current, multi-array fault).
It should be remembered that the characteristics of PV modules vary with module temperature as well as irradiance level. In operation, PV fuse links are influenced by ambient temperature.
Types of PV Fuses and Their Advantages
Inline Fuse
These fuses are directly incorporated into the wire, offering a compact solution. They are especially ideal for systems where space is at a premium, ensuring protection without occupying additional space.
Rail Fuse Holders
These holders are designed to mount onto DIN rails. They offer flexibility in installation, making them suitable for various applications, especially where multiple are required in a consolidated space.
Ferrule PV fuses
Known for their reliability, these ferrule-type fuses are compact and efficient. Their design ensures quick response times, thus providing superior protection against surges.
Our Factory
Certification
FAQ
Zhejiang Chifeng Electric Co., Ltd. is well-known as one of the leading pv fuse manufacturers and suppliers in China since 1988. If you're going to buy high quality pv fuse with low price, welcome to get pricelist from our factory. Customized orders are welcome.