Cornate d’Adda, October 2008 – Compel Electronics Spa (has applied its own competence to the photovoltaic sector developing and introducing onto the market a Junction Box with a very innovative design, currently patent pending, and also the relevant connectors.

The Compel “CBox12” and “CBox15” Junction Boxes, complete with cables and connectors, 12A and 15A respectively, have been developed in collaboration with some of the main manufacturers of photovoltaic modules, recognising their respective needs and introducing some improvements compared to the products currently available on the market.

The CBox12 and CBox15 have been developed for applications on mono silicon and polycrystalline photovoltaic modules as well as for applications on thin film modules;  both for gluing on standard back sheets and also on glass.
All the products have been designed and are manufactured in Italy.

Particular attention has been paid to the design and the quality of the materials used and this has led to achieving important advantages; furthermore, an in-depth study has been carried out regarding the metallic materials to be coupled together, from the ribbons to the group of springs to the cable conductors;  in this way, the anodic index has been maintained at within 0.15V, to avoid problems of corrosion.
All the Junction Boxes are 100% electrically tested prior their shipping.

Advantages:

• TUV certification according to the new standard 2PFG 1162/07.2007:
• DIN V VDE V 0126-5/05.08 (junction box)
• DIN V VDE V 0126-3/12 (connectors)
• Production electrically tested 100%
• Use of plastic material which has been specifically studied for photovoltaic applications.
• High rating of self-extinguishing: UL94-V0.
• Optimal resistance to UV rays:  class f1
• Junction box main body with IP65 waterproof grading and with reduced dimensions and weight.
• Osmotic valve to equalise the differences in pressure.
• By-pass diodes of high quality and efficiency for the hot-spot function.
• Anodic index ≤ 0,15V.
• Connectors with IP67 waterproof grading housed on two “wings” placed at the sides of the body.
• Connectors with low contact electrical resistance (approx. 15% less than other manufacturers).
• Cable assemblies rolled up around the junction box body in a logical and ordered fashion.
• Conductor is “pre-tinplated” before being inserted into the spring body of the junction box.
• Marked “silicone guide” channel made in the rear part of the junction box to assist the operator in the correct positioning and distribution of the silicone.
• Possibility of customising the lid with the customer’s logo.

The patented design, the rolling up of the cable assemblies and the specific housing of the connectors allow either an easy manual positioning of the CBox12 and CBox15 or possible automation both of the positioning and of the electrical test with the solar simulator.

To further assist the operator in the insertion of the ribbons into the group of springs, Compel technical staff have developed a specific and ergonomic tool which lifts the four springs simultaneously, therefore optimising the assembly times.

Compel markets manual pliers (market standard) equipped with a specific applicator, used above all in the field of installation for the crimping of the contacts (contained in the connectors) onto the cables.

For many years Compel has been careful in respecting the environment and operates following the ISO 14001 system, examining and analysing in depth its products and processes from the point of view of their impact on the environment.  All products are RoHS compliant and Compel has the ISO 9001:2000 certification.