New ABB contactor is first to meet 1500 V DC solar power requirements

Note* - All images used are for editorial and illustrative purposes only and may not originate from the original news provider or associated company.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from any location or device.

Media Packs

Expand Your Reach With Our Customized Solutions Empowering Your Campaigns To Maximize Your Reach & Drive Real Results!

– Access the Media Pack Now

– Book a Conference Call

– Leave Message for Us to Get Back

Related stories

ACHEMA 2027 to Spotlight Innovations in Life Sciences

ACHEMA 2027 sets an even stronger focus on innovations...

UK Unveils Clean Energy Superpower Mission for Energy Future

The UK government has launched a new energy strategy...

Italian Government to Bring Back Nuclear Energy in Power Mix

Italy’s Council of Ministers, led by President Giorgia Meloni,...

Japan Identifies Two New Zones for Offshore Wind Development

Japan has identified waters off Akita City and Hibikinada...

ABB has launched a new compact, efficient contactor that gives photovoltaic power plants a simple way to introduce 1500 V DC architectures. ABB’s new 1500 V DC GF contactor is the first to meet the IEC’s new dedicated solar power DC-PV3 utilization category and adds another option to the company’s range of 1500 V DC switching solutions.

Giampiero Frisio, head of ABB’s Smart Power business line, said: “The GF contactor is another ABB industry-first that will reduce the time, cost and complexity of new solar installations, and will help make them safer, more reliable and easier to manage remotely. Advances in the hardware that controls, connects and protects photovoltaics are essential for solar power’s continuing development. ABB’s expertise with renewables and power technologies enables us to identify opportunities for innovations that make a real difference to the future of energy.”

By 2020, almost all new utility-scale solar power plants with a capacity of more than 1 MW will be 1500 V DC systems. This higher voltage architecture will make it possible to downsize the electrical infrastructure and will mean significant efficiency gains.

The new ABB GF contactor provides bi-directional switching for loads up to 1050 A and up to 750 V DC per pole, making it possible to control large sections of the power plant. By feeding power into the grid or battery storage systems remotely and automatically, the contactor supports strategies that will improve the energy efficiency of PV installations.

Switching DC in solar inverters differs significantly from standard applications. Solar inverters ramp current up and down instead of breaking electrical arcs, and the DC contactors normally never operate under load. The new GF contactor is the first to meet the DC-PV3’s technical requirements for thermal performance, mechanical switching and for higher breaking capacity in emergency situations.

Frisio added: “This contactor will be a key component in plans to make new solar power plants more efficient to operate and simpler to configure and install. We are already receiving orders and strong interest for this useful new device.”

With one 100…250 V coil that covers all standard network voltage requirements, the configuration process is simpler. The PLC control comes pre-installed as standard and the contactors are designed with wide terminals that can accommodate a variety of different busbar options.

Latest stories

Related stories

ACHEMA 2027 to Spotlight Innovations in Life Sciences

ACHEMA 2027 sets an even stronger focus on innovations...

UK Unveils Clean Energy Superpower Mission for Energy Future

The UK government has launched a new energy strategy...

Italian Government to Bring Back Nuclear Energy in Power Mix

Italy’s Council of Ministers, led by President Giorgia Meloni,...

Japan Identifies Two New Zones for Offshore Wind Development

Japan has identified waters off Akita City and Hibikinada...

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from any location or device.

Media Packs

Expand Your Reach With Our Customized Solutions Empowering Your Campaigns To Maximize Your Reach & Drive Real Results!

– Access the Media Pack Now

– Book a Conference Call

– Leave Message for Us to Get Back

Translate »