Eaton Fireman's Switch SOL30X Safety First
According to VDE-AR-E 2100-712
The Eaton Fireman's Switch SOL30X is a DC switch-disconnector designed to isolate lines between solar modules and inverters, ensuring firefighter safety during emergencies. It allows operation without the risk of electrocution by providing safe DC isolation.
Eaton offers prefabricated fireman's switches in common enclosures, housing 2, 3, 4, or 6 switch-disconnectors. Unlike generator terminal boxes, the individual strings are fed separately to the inverter, enabling the use of multiple MPP trackers to optimize inverter performance.
Safety for Firefighters
The fireman's switch is installed at or shortly after the entry of DC string lines into the building. It automatically opens via its built-in undervoltage release when firefighters isolate the fire location from the mains power or at the PV Off switch. This action isolates the DC lines between the PV modules and the inverter, protecting emergency personnel from direct contact with live cables and indirect contact, such as through flooding.
Tripping is indicated by a signal lamp connected to the feedback contacts, provided power is present. The undervoltage releases trip the switches in the event of fire or other hazards. They respond with a delay of 600 ms, ensuring that over 93% of brief power failures and voltage drops do not cause a trip, thus preventing downtime from erroneous tripping.
All fireman's switches feature auxiliary contacts with one Normally Open (N/O) and one Normally Closed (N/C) contact. The N/C contacts are factory-wired and connected to modular terminals, allowing the switching position to be queried and indicated, for example, with an external indicator lamp.
The enclosures have a degree of protection IP65 and include a pressure equalization element to prevent condensate formation, making them suitable for outdoor use, though a protected mounting location is recommended.
Product Variants
Simple PV Fireman's Switch
For smaller photovoltaic installations with one or two identical strings, the simplest version of Eaton's fireman's switch is ideal. With a current carrying capacity of up to 30 A at 1000 VDC, this device can reliably switch all popular module models. If the inverter does not include a built-in switch-disconnector, the SOL30-SAFETY can fulfill this task according to VDE 0100-712.
Multi-way Fireman's Switch
For photovoltaic installations with multiple strings, Eaton offers fireman's switches with 2, 3, 4, or 6 inputs. Each string is routed through its own switch-disconnector and then to the inverter. This is particularly beneficial for plants with strings that have different characteristics or are exposed to varying shade ratios, often used with inverters featuring multiple MPP trackers.
Technical Specifications
SOL30X...-SAFETY Fireman's Switch Features:
- Rated operating voltage: 1000 VDC
- Rated operational current of each switch-disconnector: 30 A
- Utilization category: DC-PV1 and DC-PV2
- Tested to IEC/EN 60947-3
- Prewired, ready for connection
- IP65 protection type
- Admissible ambient temperature range: -25°C up to +60°C
- According to VDE-AR-E 2100-712
- Scope of application: DC isolation in photovoltaic systems between PV generator and inverter for disconnecting power
- Remote tripping with integrated undervoltage release (230V, 50Hz)
- Undervoltage release delay: 0.6 seconds to bridge short-term voltage fluctuations
- Signalling of switch state via auxiliary contact (1 N/O and 1 N/C)
- Internal resistance of each switch-disconnector: 7 mΩ
- Pressure equalization element
PV Off Switch Features:
- IP65 protection type
- Tamper-proof according to ISO 13850/EN 418
- Operation: Pull to release or rotate
- Enclosure top color: Red
| Number of Disconnectors | Rated Operating Voltage (V) | Rated Operational Current (A) | Terminal Type | Terminal Capacity | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (mm) | Part No. | Article No. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1000 | 30 | MC4 | 2xMC4 (+), 1xMC4 (+) 2xMC4 (-), 1xMC4 (-) | 0.47 | 100 | SOL30-SAFETY/1MC4-U | 144122 | Complete with guard-ring, 1 N/O, 1 N/C |
| 1 | 1000 | 26 | M12 | 2xM12 (+), 1xM12 (+) 2xM12 (-), 1xM12 (-) | 0.47 | 100 | SOL30-SAFETY/1MV-U | 144123 | Complete with guard-ring, 2 N/C |
| 2 | 1000 | 30 | MC4 | 2xMC4 (+), 2xMC4 (+) 2xMC4 (-), 2xMC4 (-) | 5.1 | 250 | SOL30X2-SAFETY-MC4-U | 168098 | Complete, 1 N/O 1 N/C, sealable |
| 2 | 1000 | 26 | M12 | 2xM12 (+), 2xM12 (+) 2xM12 (-), 2xM12 (-) | 5.1 | 225 | SOL30X2-SAFETY-MV-U | 168099 | Complete, 1 N/O 1 N/C, sealable |
| 3 | 1000 | 30 | MC4 | 3xMC4 (+), 3xMC4 (+) 3xMC4 (-), 3xMC4 (-) | 5.5 | 375 | SOL30X3-SAFETY-MC4-U | 168100 | Complete, 1 N/O 1 N/C, sealable |
| 3 | 1000 | 26 | M12 | 3xM12 (+), 3xM12 (+) 3xM12 (-), 3xM12 (-) | 5.5 | 350 | SOL30X3-SAFETY-MV-U | 168101 | Complete, 1 N/O 1 N/C, sealable |
| 4 | 1000 | 30 | MC4 | 4xMC4 (+), 4xMC4 (+) 4xMC4 (-), 4xMC4 (-) | 6.8 | 500 | SOL30X4-SAFETY-MC4-U | 168102 | Complete, 1 N/O 1 N/C, sealable |
| 4 | 1000 | 26 | M12 | 4xM12 (+), 4xM12 (+) 4xM12 (-), 4xM12 (-) | 6.8 | 475 | SOL30X4-SAFETY-MV-U | 168103 | Complete, 1 N/O 1 N/C, sealable |
| 6 | 1000 | 30 | MC4 | 6xMC4 (+), 6xMC4 (+) 6xMC4 (-), 6xMC4 (-) | 9.5 | 750 | SOL30X6-SAFETY-MC4-U | 168104 | Complete, 1 N/O 1 N/C, sealable |
| 6 | 1000 | 26 | M12 | 6xM12 (+), 6xM12 (+) 6xM12 (-), 6xM12 (-) | 9.5 | 725 | SOL30X6-SAFETY-MV-U | 168105 | Complete, 1 N/O 1 N/C, sealable |
Note: *1) Two strings can be connected in parallel. *2) All fireman's switches are fingerproof through IP4X cover.
Wiring Diagram Description: A schematic shows the input and output connections for a fireman's switch, including the undervoltage release (U<) and auxiliary contacts (1 N/O and 1 N/C).
System Diagram Description: A diagram illustrates the placement and function of the fireman's switch in a solar PV system. It shows solar panels (labeled ①), the fireman's switch enclosure (labeled ②), a PV Off switch (labeled ③), the inverter (labeled ④), and a signal lamp (labeled ⑤). The diagram depicts the DC lines running from the panels to the switch, then to the inverter, and shows the connection for the undervoltage release and signal lamp.
PV Off Switch Description: The PV off switch is IP65 rated and tamper-proof according to ISO 13850/EN 418. It can be operated by pulling to release or rotating, and features a red enclosure top.
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