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How to connect solar panel wires to wires that go to inverter?

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edweather

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These are the MC4 connectors on my solar panel. Are there identical MC4 connectors for purchase that will seamlessly connect to the wires going to the inverter. Sounds like a dumb question, but I've seen a few connectors that look similar, but different. Any way to tell if one is an exact match to mine? Thanks.
 

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Typically your inverter will have one of a few methods of connection.

This is an example of a terminal block with a little lever you drop down to secure the wire.

All of these typically expect the end of the wire to be exposed, you could put a ferrule on the end to make the wire nice and compressed.

If you wanted to add little dongle-type wires you could get some cable and make some short 1-foot cables, one end stripped and the other with a MC4 connector so it's an easy MC4 connect/disconnect if you wanted.
 
Is it an inverter and controller in one unit?

Generally you will need to remove those MC4 connectors to attach it to the controller.

OR you can buy extension MC4 connectors that have a bare wire on one end for that purpose.

Amphenol H4 MC4 10AWG GPT Pure Copper Wires Solar Panel Solar Charge Controller Adaptor Pigtail Kit 9 inches (Made in USA)​

 
You need to make sure to buy MC4 of the same manufacturer, or listed (check documentation and NRTL certificate) to interoperate with what you have.

Technically speaking only Staubli can be real MC4

To avoid melting and be code compliant. And they definitely melt.
 
Thanks for the replies. I might have been a bit unclear in my question. The panels are outside, and I need to get the wire from the panels to the AIO inverter inside. A couple matching connectors would be nice to just attach to the wires running to the inverter, and and then I could just connect them to the panel wires.
 
zanydroid said:
You need to make sure to buy MC4 of the same manufacturer, or listed (check documentation and NRTL certificate) to interoperate with what you have.

Technically speaking only Staubli can be real MC4

To avoid melting and be code compliant. And they definitely melt.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Okay, I'll research further. ?
 
Easy to buy staubli MC4 from a solar supply house. Worst case try Titan in Nevada (?)

EDIT: though for something as basic white bread as MC4 you don’t need a specialty connector and wire supplier…

For the crimp tool you can buy a $40 kit off Amazon, it will crimp fine and come with the disconnect/connect wrenches. Plus some no name MC4 clones you can use for practice.

Buying connectors themselves from Amazon I think is a bad idea.
 
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zanydroid said:
Easy to buy staubli MC4 from a solar supply house. Worst case try Titan in Nevada (?)

For the crimp tool you can buy a $40 kit off Amazon, it will crimp fine and come with the disconnect/connect wrenches. Plus some no name MC4 clones you can use for practice.

Buying connectors themselves from Amazon I think is a bad idea.
Click to expand...
I concur I didn't purchase mine from Amazon, it's just easy to link to. You can use www.currentconnected.com or as you mentioned any solar supply store.
 
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For those of you who say the MC4 connectors need to be an exact match, do you cut the already installed MC4 on the solar panels just to be sure?

edweather said:
Ah ha! Now let's see if I can find a few.
Click to expand...

I see you’re lucky enough to have a connector type to go purchase.
 
chrisski said:
For those of you who say the MC4 connectors need to be an exact match, do you cut the already installed MC4 on the solar panels just to be sure?
Click to expand...
The specs should say what connector it is. And if it’s a legit company you can use visual ID of the connector type. If it’s a legit company and it’s MC4 shape and the spec sheet says staubli mc4 then I would just assume it’s staubli. Since the shell is proprietary licensed thing or whatever

For instance Jinko is available terminated iirc in Jinko and staubli. Which look very different from one another. So process of elimination.

Yes you can cut, it voids the warranty by default but you can get an allowance letter from some manufacturers.
 
zanydroid said:
For instance Jinko is available terminated iirc in Jinko and staubli. Which look very different from one another. So process of elimination.

Yes you can cut, it voids the warranty by default but you can get an allowance letter from some manufacturers.
Click to expand...
I am wondering how many people who can’t find the data actually make cuts on a solar panel and void the warranty to ensure matching cables.

My few strings I run are less than 80 volts and I mix and match MC4 connectors and don’t lose sleep over it.

These are mostly Renogy panels and brands of MC4 is not listed in the spec sheet.

The ones that aren’t renogy are ground mounts and those are Anderson power pole connectors not MC4.
 
For strings that small they’re probably accessible for regular inspection.

For connections on a roof less so. Also subject to more code compliance.

For all MLPE and panels I considered for my rooftop install connector types were listed is specs so it’s not a big deal to do it right.
 
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