DIN rail mounting components?

[Bowlegs868]

I'm a fairly new system builder; I'm looking for ways to mount more of the other equipment (battery switch, shunt etc.) to DIN rails

can anyone advise me or point me to a good source for DIN rail accessories if I'll have to go the DIY route?

 

[FilterGuy]

I'm a fairly new system builder; I'm looking for ways to mount more of the other equipment (battery switch, shunt etc.) to DIN rails

can anyone advise me or point me to a good source for DIN rail accessories if I'll have to go the DIY route?

I have not seen DIN mount battery switches or shunts....but it would nice to be able to mount them that way. However, With the large cables that we use on the DC side, I am not sure a Din Rail mount would be strong enough.

In solar, the place we see DIN rail mount the most is on the PV side of things:

• PV Fuses
• PV Breakers
• PV surge protectors
• etc.

The current for these is usually a lot lower than on the battery and Inverter connections so the wires are a lot smaller.

There are also a lot of AC breakers that get mounted in DIN RAIL housing. (It seems like DIN rail breaker boxes are a lot more common outside of North America)

 

[peakbagger]

Check out Midnight Solar, I think they have some DIN solar gear.

 

[Bowlegs868]

I have not seen DIN mount battery switches or shunts....but it would nice to be able to mount them that way. However, With the large cables that we use on the DC side, I am not sure a Din Rail mount would be strong enough.

In solar, the place we see DIN rail mount the most is on the PV side of things:

• PV Fuses
• PV Breakers
• PV surge protectors
• etc.

The current for these is usually a lot lower than on the battery and Inverter connections so the wires are a lot smaller.

There are also a lot of AC breakers that get mounted in DIN RAIL housing. (It seems like DIN rail breaker boxes are a lot more common outside of North America)

Hmm... guess that makes sense but indeed; it would be nice to have the option/accessories for more stuff ?

 

[Bowlegs868]

Check out Midnight Solar, I think they have some DIN solar gear.

oh thanks! ?

 

[timselectric]

I'm using all din rail mounted control and protection.
DC breakers,surge protection, inverter power switch, and precharge resistor button.

 

[FilterGuy]

I'm using all din rail mounted control and protection.
DC breakers,surge protection, inverter power switch, and precharge resistor button.

Pictures?
Links to components?

 

[timselectric]

Sorry, got distracted.

Inverter power switch (relocating existing toggle Switch)
smseace Miniature Circuit Breaker Low Voltage AC 10A 230/400V 1 Pole DIN Rail Installation DZ47-63 C10 https://a.co/d/174OW3e

Battery power
ASI NDB1-125C125-2, Miniature Circuit Breaker,DIN Rail Mount High Current Circuit Breaker, 125A, 2 Pole, 240Vac, 60 Vdc, C Trip Curve https://a.co/d/3mXOGYT

PV disconnect
DC Miniature Circuit Breaker, 2 Pole 1000V 63 Amp Isolator for Solar PV System, Thermal Magnetic Trip, DIN Rail Mount, Chtaixi DC Disconnect Switch C63 https://a.co/d/6vFjJA3

AC in and AC out
smseace Miniature Circuit Breaker Low Voltage AC 25A 400V 2 Poles DIN Rail Installation DZ47-63 C25 https://a.co/d/avZahUr

PV surge protection
Voltage Surge Arrester Device, 2P Surge Protective Device DC Photovoltaic Lightning Protector Low-Voltage Arrester 3.0KV (2P40KA) https://a.co/d/bQQQAOx

Precharge resistor button
US $3.83 11%OFF | 1PCS CHINT Din Rail Mount Pushbutton NP9 series 2NO+2NC Red Green Pushbutton Switch

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOWIOKy

 

[jameshowison]

Sorry, got distracted.

Inverter power switch (relocating existing toggle Switch)
smseace Miniature Circuit Breaker Low Voltage AC 10A 230/400V 1 Pole DIN Rail Installation DZ47-63 C10 https://a.co/d/174OW3e

Battery power
ASI NDB1-125C125-2, Miniature Circuit Breaker,DIN Rail Mount High Current Circuit Breaker, 125A, 2 Pole, 240Vac, 60 Vdc, C Trip Curve https://a.co/d/3mXOGYT

PV disconnect
DC Miniature Circuit Breaker, 2 Pole 1000V 63 Amp Isolator for Solar PV System, Thermal Magnetic Trip, DIN Rail Mount, Chtaixi DC Disconnect Switch C63 https://a.co/d/6vFjJA3

AC in and AC out
smseace Miniature Circuit Breaker Low Voltage AC 25A 400V 2 Poles DIN Rail Installation DZ47-63 C25 https://a.co/d/avZahUr

PV surge protection
Voltage Surge Arrester Device, 2P Surge Protective Device DC Photovoltaic Lightning Protector Low-Voltage Arrester 3.0KV (2P40KA) https://a.co/d/bQQQAOx

Precharge resistor button
US $3.83 11%OFF | 1PCS CHINT Din Rail Mount Pushbutton NP9 series 2NO+2NC Red Green Pushbutton Switch

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOWIOKy

Thanks, very useful. Some similarity to the components in the combiner box that watts247 builds: https://watts247.com/product-category/pv-combiner-boxes/

Could you explain a little how the Precharge resistor button works?

 

[timselectric]

Thanks, very useful. Some similarity to the components in the combiner box that watts247 builds: https://watts247.com/product-category/pv-combiner-boxes/

Could you explain a little how the Precharge resistor button works?

It's placed in parallel with the battery power disconnect/Breaker. With the resistor in the positive line.

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

Could you explain a little how the Precharge resistor button works?

A pre-charge resistor is used to charge the capacitors on the input of an inverter at a lower rate than just connecting the battery. It sits in parallel over the main power/battery switch of the inverter. If you don't use a pre-charge resistor, you can get sparks on connecting, or just a very large inrush current (capacitors when empty are comparable to a short circuit for a small amount of time when a voltage is applied) which can potentially cause the BMS to shut down as it thinks there is a short circuit or too big of a load.

 

[FilterGuy]

Could you explain a little how the Precharge resistor button works?

 

[jameshowison]

Thanks! Some of the server rack batteries have these already in place.

So one needs to push the button to activate the resistor, creating a low current path from the battery to the inverter, then turn on the high current pathway? Is that right? You just wait a while after pressing the button? Why do they sell a red and a green button one (is it normally open/closed or something?)

So on the server rack batteries even though the circuit breaker is off, there is a little current allowed to pass through the terminals when the BMS is first turned on? Hmmm, that can't be right, as the only positive connection from the BMS to the terminals passes through the circuit breaker (which is off). Must be that when the circuit breaker is turned on, the BMS limits current for a short period of time?

(Sorry, apparently my underlying question is about how the precharge resister circuit on the server rack batteries works

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

Some server rack batteries have the pre-charge circuit built in.

 

[timselectric]

Must be that when the circuit breaker is turned on, the BMS limits current for a short period of time?

Not exactly but close enough.

 

[FilterGuy]

So one needs to push the button to activate the resistor, creating a low current path from the battery to the inverter, then turn on the high current pathway? Is that right?

Correct.

You just wait a while after pressing the button?

Press the button for a second or so and then turn on the high current switch while pressing the button.

Why do they sell a red and a green button one (is it normally open/closed or something?)

I am not sure what this is referring to.

So on the server rack batteries even though the circuit breaker is off, there is a little current allowed to pass through the terminals when the BMS is first turned on? Hmmm, that can't be right, as the only positive connection from the BMS to the terminals passes through the circuit breaker (which is off). Must be that when the circuit breaker is turned on, the BMS limits current for a short period of time?

Correct.... (I think)

BTW: If you are interested, I present an alternative to the pushbutton here:

Inverter Disconnect Switch with Precharge

To get the paper, click on the orange button at the top of this page. This circuit is designed as a disconnect switch that allows the user to pre-charge the inverter capacitors before turning the switch completely on. 26 June 2020 update: At...

diysolarforum.com

With the rotary switch, it is less likely the user will forget to precharge. Even if the user speeds through the pre-charge position, the capacitors will get mostly charged. This is a big and visually ugly solution, but since I build systems for other people, I like to minimize the possibility of a mistake.

 

[timselectric]

Why do they sell a red and a green button one (is it normally open/closed or something?)

Personal preference.

 

[FightThePower]

I used DIN mounted IMO DC switches to disable the PV array outside my home. The inverter sits inside the garage on the other side of this wall.

 

[jameshowison]

I am not sure what this is referring to.

The link to the component showed both red and green buttons. @timselectric says it's just aesthetic.

 

[timselectric]

You choose which color you want.
I chose green, because green means go. lol