Electric Breaker

Electric Breakers

When installing a solar panel system, you have to be familiar with the electric breakers and how it works with a solar PV system to avoid future electric problems. The electric breaker is one of the main components of a solar power system that provides safety mechanisms. If ever the electrical wiring of your system has too much current flowing through it, these breakers can easily cut the power until your solar installer can fix the system’s problem. 

For today’s article, we will discuss electric breakers and their function in solar photovoltaic systems.

What is an Electric Breaker?

An electric or circuit breaker is an electrical switch designed to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by overloading of current or a short circuit. The basic function of an electric breaker is to prevent the current flow once protective relays detect a fault in the system. 

Although it is frequently interchanged with a fuse, which is the simplest Over Current Protection device (OCPD) in electrical circuits, a circuit breaker, is a much-evolved type of device that interrupts the current flow. The main difference between the two is electric breaker is resettable and the fuse is not. The fuse sacrifices itself while protecting the system to overheat, while the circuit breaker can withstand hundreds and thousands of operations. Another difference is that electric breakers are used with relatively higher currents. 

Components of Circuit Breaker

A circuit breaker system is composed of three parts. These three components are the sensing system, relay, and the combination of contacts and the contact actuator. A sensing system is responsible for detecting an overload situation, while a relay is responsible for transferring the information to the switching arrangement, and the combination of contacts and the contact actuator. This electric arrangement is usually observed in power transmission and distribution networks dealing with very high currents, voltages, and powers. 

Circuit Breakers Calculation in Solar Panel Systems

When connecting circuit breakers to the PV system, you have to follow the recommended calculations to avoid future problems and damage to the entire system. The recommendations for using overcurrent protection devices including circuit breakers in solar modules against overloading conditions are given in IEC 60269-6 (volume 6 of IEC 60269-6) and also UL 248-19. 

For circuit breakers, IEC recommends a 20% and 25% margin in voltage and overload current. Most of the time, the ratings are specified by the solar manufacturers at given ambient conditions. If the temperatures exceed this given value, derating must be applied according to the manufacturer’s specifications. 

When it comes to breaker sizes for solar panels, NEC requires the breakers to be sized at 125% of the inverter’s rated output. So a 7680W inverter that outputs 240V, outputs 32A (7680W ÷ 240V = 32A). That requires a 40A breaker (32A x 125% = 40A).

Final Thoughts

If you owned a solar panel system at home,  you have to understand how circuit breakers work to prevent catching fires at home. These devices are one of the major components of the PV solar system as they protect the system wiring from getting too hot and accidentally catch fire if short circuits occurred. Thus, understanding the breaker itself and its proper calculations in the PV system should be done.

Wholesalers

Solar Products Wholesalers 

Wholesaling refers to buying some products or goods directly from its manufacturer usually at a discount and then reselling it to the retailers for a comparatively higher cost than the original. Basically, wholesalers handle products and package them in small quantities and then sell them to retail customers, either for commercial or personal use. 

Many industries have wholesalers, and that will not skip the solar industries. Nowadays, many solar wholesale stores/firms are operating across the globe, making it much easier for retailers to go solar. Sometimes retailers find it hard to reach direct manufacturers of solar products because some companies do not have their solar stores/shops in public, with that they are not also offering solar products per piece. Through wholesale solar stores/shops, these individuals can easily buy the solar products that they need to replace or maintain their solar systems. 

If you are in need of solar product suppliers for an individual purpose, you may visit some solar outsourcing marketplace to get an updated list of solar wholesalers near your location. There are many solar platforms that provide enough information and data about the solar industry in your region, including all the reliable solar wholesalers in town.

Singapore

A summary of Singapore’s solar market status

         Singapore’s energy sector has evolved astonishingly over the last five decades. Fifty years ago, the country relied heavily on oil and natural gas for its energy needs. However, challenges associated with climate change and economic growth forced it to consider cutting-edge sources of energy.

 Currently, solar energy is the most colorful option for Singapore’s energy sector owing to several factors. These factors include energy generation potential, technical capacity, and economic benefits. So, what exactly is the status of the solar market in this Southeast Asian state?

As of April 2021, Singapore had a total installed solar capacity of 350 Megawatts. According to pundits, the country was able to achieve this target by focusing on rooftop photovoltaic systems in public residential areas. At present, the government of Singapore is focused on achieving its 2 Gigawatts solar capacity by 2030.

What does this tell you about the future of the nation’s solar market?  Well, Singapore’s solar market will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. This growth comes with vast opportunities for solar installers and other photovoltaic professionals. If you are searching for opportunities, you should seriously consider Singapore’s nascent solar market.

Solar equipment supply capacity in Singapore  

Singapore is one of the leading economies in Southeast Asia. Consequently, it enjoys the services of a considerable number of solar equipment suppliers dealing with a wide variety of equipment categories. Do you need a reliable equipment supplier?

If the answer is yes, the Solarfeeds family is here for you. You can rely on us to help you save time while providing access to quality and affordable equipment. Just visit our inquiry page and request quotes.  

Major ports and logistics in Singapore

Are you concerned about the ease of solar equipment transportation in Singapore? Well, there is no need for concern because the country boasts of a reliable logistics services sector and several ports. Some of the ports you need to keep in mind include;

• Port of Singapore
• Jurong Port