Photovoltaic protection box
What are the different elements included in a photovoltaic protection box?
A photovoltaic protection cabinet is an essential device in photovoltaic solar installations, designed to ensure the safety of property and people and the efficiency of the system. It houses various protective equipment such as circuit breakers, residual current devices and surge arresters (optional), which protect electrical components against surges, short circuits and overloads. This cabinet is usually installed between the solar panels and the inverter (single-phase or three-phase), playing a crucial role in preventing damage caused by electrical anomalies and extreme weather conditions. In addition to protecting the equipment, it also contributes to the safety of people by reducing the risk of electric shock. Therefore, the photovoltaic protection cabinet is essential to guarantee the safety of any solar installation.
Photovoltaic protection cabinet systems can be designed for single-phase or three-phase installations, depending on the electrical configurations of the site in question and its energy needs.
Presentation of the different types of photovoltaic solar boxes
Photovoltaic solar boxes come in several types, adapted to different solar installation configurations.
The AC box is specially designed for systems using microinverters, which convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) directly at each solar panel.
The ACDC cabinet is used for systems with string or hybrid inverters, centralizing the conversion of current from multiple panels into a single unit.
There is another additional distinction: the presence or absence of lightning arrester.
Depending on the department in which you reside, the presence of a surge protector may be mandatory. If your department is affected, it will be necessary to equip yourself with a surge protector.
Characteristics of photovoltaic protection boxes
Boxes complying with current electrical standards
Photovoltaic solar cabinets are designed to comply with current electrical standards, including NFC 15-100, ensuring the safety of solar installations. They comply with strict electrical protection regulations, guaranteeing protection against surges, short circuits and overloads. Each component, from the circuit breaker to the surge protector, is selected to meet the quality and performance requirements of national standards (France). In addition, our cabinets are pre-wired and comply with CONSUEL requirements, which certifies their compliance and safety for residential installations. This compliance not only guarantees the safety of the installations, but also their durability and efficiency, offering users peace of mind for their solar investment.
Easy installation and wiring
Photovoltaic solar cabinets are designed to provide ease of installation and wiring, simplifying the process for installers and users. Available individually or as a complete kit, these cabinets contain all the necessary components, reducing preparation time and eliminating the need to search for additional parts.
With clear instructions and an intuitive design, assembly and wiring become accessible tasks, even for those with limited technical skills. This turnkey approach ensures a fast and efficient installation, minimizing interruptions and optimizing the performance of the solar system.
Photovoltaic solar boxes for easy and efficient installation
Do you want to enjoy the benefits of solar energy while reducing your electricity bill? Opt for our photovoltaic solar boxes specially designed for residential self-consumption. With our complete range of solar kits, you can produce your own electricity from the sun and use it directly in your home.
Our photovoltaic solar boxes are equipped with protective devices such as differential switches, circuit breakers, energy meters and, if necessary, a surge arrester device guaranteeing efficient conversion of solar energy into usable electricity. The electrical box, wired and ready to be installed, allows optimal protection of your installation against surges.
Our solar boxes are available at competitive prices and guarantee you efficient and sustainable residential self-consumption.
Choosing your photovoltaic protection box
What are the criteria to take into account to evaluate the quality of a protection box for a solar installation?
When choosing a solar photovoltaic cabinet, several essential criteria must be taken into account to optimize the performance and safety of your installation. For self-consumption systems, particularly residential self-consumption, it is crucial to select a cabinet adapted to the specific configuration of your installation, whether it uses a centralized inverter or micro-inverters. "Plug and play" systems offer simplified installation, ideal for individuals wanting a quick and efficient solution. Compatibility with protective devices, such as surge protectors, and compliance with electrical standards, such as the NF standard and CONSUEL requirements, are also determining factors. By evaluating these criteria, you will guarantee a secure, efficient and sustainable installation to maximize your energy yield.
AC Box or AC DC Box?
The choice between an AC cabinet and an AC DC cabinet mainly depends on the configuration of your photovoltaic installation and the specific needs of your system. The AC cabinet is ideal for installations using micro-inverters, where each solar panel directly converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). This allows individual management of the panels, thus increasing the flexibility and efficiency of the installation.
On the other hand, the AC DC cabinet is designed for systems with centralized or hybrid inverters, which centralize the conversion of the current of several panels in a single unit. This type of cabinet is often used in larger installations with several strings or photovoltaic fields, offering an integrated solution for the management and protection of the entire system.
The advantages of a wired box
Plug and play kits for simplified installation
Plug and play kits for simplified installation are designed to make setting up photovoltaic systems easier, even for users with limited technical skills. These kits include all the necessary components, such as solar panels, inverters with MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) technology, and for some, allow the addition of batteries for energy storage. Thanks to their intuitive design, these kits allow for quick and hassle-free installation, thus optimizing the capture and use of solar energy. Plug and play systems eliminate technical complications, offering a practical and efficient solution for those who wish to switch to solar energy for self-consumption, while benefiting from the security and reliability of a well-designed system at an affordable price.
Is a protection box mandatory in my installation?
In France, the installation of a protection box for photovoltaic systems, including those intended for self-consumption, is generally mandatory to ensure safety and compliance with current electrical standards. A protection box plays a crucial role in protecting the installation against surges, short circuits, and other electrical anomalies. This protection is essential not only to prevent damage to equipment, but also to ensure the safety of people.
In addition, compliance with standards, such as NFC 15-100 and CONSUEL requirements, often involves the integration of adequate protection devices into the installation. Thus, even for residential self-consumption systems, the use of a protection box is strongly recommended, or even mandatory, to ensure a safe and compliant installation.
Without this response to the standards you will not be able to obtain CONSUEL validation for your connection requests.
What technical advice should be considered before choosing a photovoltaic protection box for a solar installation?
Before choosing a photovoltaic protection box for a solar installation, several technical opinions must be taken into consideration to ensure a safe and efficient installation. Here are some key points to consider:
Installation Type (Single-phase or Three-phase): Determining whether your installation is single-phase or three-phase is crucial, as this will influence the type of protection box required. Single-phase installations are common in residences, while three-phase installations are often used in large installations or commercial buildings.
Location of the Box: The location of the protective box is important to ensure ease of access and safety. It should be installed in a well-ventilated area, protected from the elements and easily accessible for maintenance work.
Box Contents: The cabinet must contain all the elements necessary to ensure the protection and safety of the installation. This includes circuit breakers, surge arresters, disconnect switches and possibly fuses. The selection of these components must be adapted to the specific configuration of your photovoltaic system.
Circuit Breakers and Gauges: The selection of circuit breakers and their rating is essential to protect against overloads and short circuits. The rating of the circuit breakers must be adapted to the production capacity of your solar panels and the specifications of your inverter.
Consulting a qualified professional will help answer these questions and ensure that the protection box chosen is perfectly suited to your solar installation. An expert will also be able to advise you on the best installation and maintenance practices, thus ensuring optimal performance and increased longevity of your photovoltaic system.
Our boxes are generally in stock with permanent restocking.
Installation and commissioning
Connecting the centralized inverter to the cabinet
Installing and commissioning a photovoltaic system includes crucial steps, such as installing the enclosure and the inverter, which are usually done at the same time. Start by installing the enclosure in an easily accessible and well-ventilated location, making sure it is protected from the elements. Then mount the inverter close to the enclosure to minimize power losses and facilitate electrical connections.
For more details and step-by-step instructions tailored to your specific setup, check out our tutorial guide »Solar Dictionary", which contains many articles and installation tutorials for systems withEnphase Microinverters, string invertersSungrowOrSMA, and hybrid invertersHuawei.
Connect the cables from the solar panels to the inverter, then connect the inverter to the protection box following the electrical diagrams and manufacturer's instructions. Make sure that all protection devices, such as circuit breakers and surge protectors, are correctly installed and functional. They must all be turned off before starting the installation.
After completing these connections, double check all your connections and wiring, check all the tightness of the entire installation from the solar panels, to the storage batteries, if applicable.
Once the installation is complete, move towards installing a monitoring system before general commissioning.
Installation and Commissioning with Micro-inverters
Connection to the Protection Box
Connect the AC cables of the microinverters to a waterproof Wieland connector. Make sure that each connection is properly secured and protected against water and other weather ingress to ensure the safety and durability of the installation. Once the AC cables of the microinverters are connected to the Wieland connector, connect the latter to the protection box. The protection box must contain the necessary safety devices, correctly sized for the size of the installation.
Next, you will need to connect the protection box to your main electrical panel. To do this, use the appropriate cable: the cable coming from the panels must be a 3G2.5 if your installation is single-phase and a 5G2.5 if it is three-phase.
The cable connecting the protection box to the electrical panel must be 3G6 for a single-phase installation and 5G6 for a three-phase installation. Make sure that all cables are properly insulated and secured to avoid any risk of short circuit or electrical failure. Once these connections are made, your system will be ready for the final commissioning steps.
Technical assistance and electrical diagrams
It is important to properly plan and understand the different elements required for the successful installation of a photovoltaic system. In order to achieve this goal, it is essential to have access to technical plans and diagrams. You can find this information in the tutorial articles of the "Dico du Solaire", the technical sheets of the chosen products or on the manufacturer's website.
What type of surge protector is recommended in an electrical protection box of a photovoltaic installation?
To protect a photovoltaic system from lightning, it is recommended to use a type 2 surge protector. This type of surge protector is designed to protect against induced overvoltages, which are common in photovoltaic systems due to atmospheric discharges and load variations in the electrical network. The surge protector is specifically adapted to photovoltaic systems, capable of handling the direct current (DC) voltages typical of solar panels.
In some installations, especially in areas with a high risk of lightning, a type 1 surge arrester may also be used in addition, installed upstream to protect against direct lightning strikes.
All our equipment is carefully selected by our experts to provide you with the best equipment available on the market at competitive prices.
What is the price of our photovoltaic protection boxes? Are the boxes in stock?
Our photovoltaic protection boxes are offered at competitive prices, guaranteeing excellent value for money for our customers. In addition, thanks to a permanent restocking, all our boxes are constantly in stock, ensuring immediate availability for your solar installation projects. All our boxes also comply with CONSUEL requirements, thus guaranteeing their safety and compliance with current electrical standards.
How can I create a plug and play kit customized to my needs?
Discover our solar configurator, an innovative tool that simplifies the creation of your personalized solar kit.
By answering a few questions through our intuitive interface, you automatically obtain a solar kit sized to your specific needs. The configurator determines the number of solar panels required, selects a correctly sized inverter, includes all the fixing elements, and chooses the corresponding electrical protection box. Once configured, all these elements are added to your cart, offering you a turnkey solution for your solar project. All solar kits
Access our configurator here.
All solar kits configured via our configurator comply with CONSUEL standards, thus guaranteeing their safety and compliance with current regulations.
