Amphenol Industrial Operations has expanded its H4 solar connector family with the H4 Plus P2KV, a new 2000 V DC connector for photovoltaic and energy storage systems.
Designed for higher-voltage PV architectures, the H4 Plus P2KV supports 6 AWG / 16 mm² photovoltaic cable and is rated for 65 A under ETL certification and 70 A under TÜV certification at 85°C. Typical contact resistance is ≤0.25 mΩ.
The connector is intended for utility-scale and commercial solar installations, including module string connections, combiner and junction boxes, compatible inverter DC interfaces and solar-plus-storage systems.
Moving the H4 Platform to 2000 V
The H4 Plus P2KV is rated for 2000 V DC under UL 6703, with a 16 kV rated impulse voltage under applicable IEC criteria. Its move beyond the 1500 V rating of standard H4 Plus connectors supports emerging 2000 V solar architectures.
Higher string voltages can increase the number of modules connected in a string. Depending on the overall system design, this may reduce parallel circuits, cabling, combiner equipment and other balance-of-system requirements.
The connector accepts 6 AWG / 16 mm² photovoltaic cable with an outside diameter from 8.38 mm to 11.0 mm. It uses a crimp termination and snap-locking interface and is available in both field-installable and preassembled configurations.
Compatibility with the existing family needs to be considered when designing a 2000 V system. The H4 P2KV can mate with designated H4 connectors, but a connection to a standard 1500 V H4 Plus connector is limited to the lower 1500 V rating. Approved H4 P2KV connector pairs are therefore required for 2000 V operation.
Environmental Protection for Solar Installations
For outdoor installations, the H4 Plus P2KV carries IP65 and IP68 ingress protection when properly mated and IP2X protection when unmated. The operating temperature range is -40°C to +85°C.
The housing uses UV-resistant PC/PA thermoplastic with a UL94-V0 flame classification, while the contacts are tin-plated copper alloy. The connector is also RoHS and REACH compliant.
Amphenol provides dedicated stripping, crimping, inspection, torque and unlocking tools for field assembly. Correct cable selection, preparation, crimping and tightening are required to maintain the specified electrical and environmental performance.
Learn more and read the original announcement at amphenol-industrial.com.
Technology Overview
Higher-voltage photovoltaic architectures allow more solar modules to be connected in series within a string. Moving from 1500 V to 2000 V DC can therefore increase string voltage and, depending on the complete system design, reduce the number of parallel circuits and associated balance-of-system components.
PV connectors used in these systems must be rated for the system voltage while maintaining the required current capability, contact resistance, environmental sealing and touch protection for outdoor installations.
FAQ
What is the Amphenol H4 Plus P2KV?
The H4 Plus P2KV is a photovoltaic connector designed for 2000 V DC solar and energy storage systems. It supports 6 AWG / 16 mm² photovoltaic cable and is available in field-installable and preassembled configurations.
What are the current ratings of the H4 Plus P2KV?
The connector is rated for 65 A under ETL certification and 70 A under TÜV certification at 85°C. Typical contact resistance is ≤0.25 mΩ.
Is the H4 Plus P2KV compatible with standard H4 Plus connectors?
The H4 P2KV is designed to mate with designated connectors in Amphenol's H4 family. However, when connected to a standard 1500 V H4 Plus connector, the connection is limited to 1500 V. Approved H4 P2KV connector pairs are required for 2000 V operation.
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