29
TriStar MPPT Operator’s Manual
28
Installation
RS-232 Connection
The serial RS-232 port is a standard 9-pin (DB9) female connector. A low-profile serial connector
is recommended to save room in the wiring box.
NOTE:
The RS-232 and EIA-485 ports share hardware. Both ports cannot be used
simultaneously.
REMARQUE :
Les ports RS-232 et EIA-485 partagent le matériel. Ils ne peuvent pas être utilisés
simultanément.
Ethernet Connection
The RJ-45 Ethernet jack features two (2) indicator LEDs for connection status and network traf-
fic. Use CAT-5 or CAT-5e twisted pair cable and RJ-45 plugs. If possible, pull the network cable
through conduit before crimping on the RJ-45 connectors. If using pre-assembled cables, take
care not to damage the plugs when the cables are pulled through conduit.
MeterBus
TM
Connection
MeterBus
TM
networks use standard 4-wire or 6-wire RJ-11 telephone cables. If possible, pull the
telephone cable through conduit before crimping on the RJ-11 connectors. If using pre-assem-
bled cables, take care not to damage the plugs when the cables are pulled through conduit.
Y-cable Connections for EMC-1 Use
TS-MPPT-30 and TS-MPPT-45 units can be Ethernet connected using the EMC-1 accessory and
an EMC-1 provided Y-cable. These models need to be connected to the EMC-1 with the Y-cable
(DB-9 serial and RJ-11 plugs at the TS-MPPT) and an RJ-11 plug at the EMC-1.
Step 9 - Power Connections
NOTE:
To comply with the NEC, the TriStar MPPT 150V must be installed using wiring
methods in accordance with the latest edition of the National Electric Code,
NFPA 70.
!
CAUTION: Risk of Fire and Shock
Connect battery terminals prior to the connection of array terminals. The battery
positive (+) terminal has a red cover, the solar positive (+) terminal has a yellow
cover.
REMARQUE :
Pour la conformité CNE, le TriStar MPPT 150V doit être installé selon des
méthodes de câblage conformes à la dernière édition du Code électrique
national, NFPA 70.
!
PRUDENCE : Risque d’incendie et de décharge électrique
Branchez les bornes de la batterie avant la connexion des bornes de réseau.
La borne positive (+) de la batterie a un capuchon rouge, la borne positive (+)
solaire a un capuchon jaune.
Wire Size
The four large power terminals are sized for 14 - 2 AWG (2.5 - 35 mm
2
) wire. The terminals are
rated for copper and aluminum conductors. Use UL-listed Class B 300 Volt stranded wire only.
Good system design generally requires large conductor wires for the solar and battery con-
nections that limit voltage drop losses to 2% or less. The wire tables in the appendix on pages
51-54 provide wire sizing information for connecting the solar array and battery bank to the
TriStar MPPT 150V with a maximum of 2% voltage drop.
Minimum Wire Size
The NEC requires that the wires carrying the system current never exceed 80% of the conduc-
tor’s current rating. The table below provides the minimum size of copper and aluminum wire
allowed by NEC for all TriStar MPPT 150V models when the current equals the full nameplate
rating (30, 45 or 60 amps). Wire types rated for 75°C and 90°C are included.
Minimum wire sizes for ambient temperatures to 45°C are provided in table 3-2 below:
Model
Wire Type
75°C Wire
90°C Wire
TS-MPPT-30
Copper
8 AWG (8mm
2
)
10 AWG (5 mm
2
)
TS-MPPT-30
Aluminum
8 AWG (8 mm
2
)
8 AWG (8 mm
2
)
TS-MPPT-45
Copper
6 AWG (13 mm
2
)
6 AWG (13 mm
2
)
TS-MPPT-45
Aluminum
4 AWG (21 mm
2
)
4 AWG (21 mm
2
)
TS-MPPT-60
Copper
4 AWG (21 mm
2
)
6 AWG (13 mm
2
)
TS-MPPT-60
Aluminum
2 AWG (34 mm
2
)
4 AWG (21 mm
2
)
Table 3-2 Minimum wire sizes
