Does a MC4 or Amphenol connector work with 8 AWG size wire?
I want to use 8 AWG size wire for a solar install and I wondering if I can use MC4 or Amphenol connectors to connect to the size #8 wire? Thanks.
Comments
Neither MC4 or Amphenol connectors are UL approved for 8 AWG size wire. Their rating are for:
Locking system Temperature range 17A (1,5mm²; 14AWG) 22A (2,5mm²; 12AWG) 30A (4mm²; 10AWG) 1000V (IEC/CEI) 600V (UL) Snap-in -40°C...+90°C (IEC/CEI)
-40°C...+75°C (UL) We hear stories of installers using both the MC4 and Amphenol connectors to connect to 8 AWG wire but to be clear they are not UL approved for this application.
I came across your question and would like to let you and anyone interested know that Staubli (formerly Multi-Contact) does offer a UL certified connector for termination of 8AWG wire.
Here are some of the specs and you can find more details in our catalog (page 19):
Plug connector: PV-KBT4/8II-UR, P/N 32.0080-UR
Socket connector: PV-KST4/8II-UR, P/N 32.0081-UR
Rated voltage: 1500Vdc
Rated current: 70A
Contact resistance: less than 0.25 mOhm
Ingress protection: IP65/ IP68 (mated), IP2X (unmated)
Ambient temperature range: -40C to +85C (UL)
Upper limiting temperature: 105C (IEC)
Certified for altitudes of up to 5000m above sea level
Comments
Locking system
Temperature range 17A (1,5mm²; 14AWG)
22A (2,5mm²; 12AWG)
30A (4mm²; 10AWG)
1000V (IEC/CEI)
600V (UL)
Snap-in
-40°C...+90°C (IEC/CEI)
-40°C...+75°C (UL)
We hear stories of installers using both the MC4 and Amphenol connectors to connect to 8 AWG wire but to be clear they are not UL approved for this application.
Dear Jeff,
I came across your question and would like to let you and anyone interested know that Staubli (formerly Multi-Contact) does offer a UL certified connector for termination of 8AWG wire.
Here are some of the specs and you can find more details in our catalog (page 19):
Plug connector: PV-KBT4/8II-UR, P/N 32.0080-UR
Socket connector: PV-KST4/8II-UR, P/N 32.0081-UR
Rated voltage: 1500Vdc
Rated current: 70A
Contact resistance: less than 0.25 mOhm
Ingress protection: IP65/ IP68 (mated), IP2X (unmated)
Ambient temperature range: -40C to +85C (UL)
Upper limiting temperature: 105C (IEC)
Certified for altitudes of up to 5000m above sea level
Link to catalog download: https://www.staubli.com/en/pdf-download-section/?tx_pdfdownloadtool_pdf…
I hope this information helps (even though the question was posted several years ago).
Kind regards,
Marina Lee
PM Alternative Energy