Amphenol Industrial announced that its Helios H4 connector has achieved the two top ranked positions in an independent annual test comparison of solar connectors performed by Photon, The Solar Power Magazine. Beating out 26 competing connectors, the Helios H4 performed exceptionally well in a series of tests including contact resistance, separation force and high voltage withstand. The tests were carried out before and after exposing the connectors to accelerated aging in an environmental test chamber. The Helios H4 was the only connector that consistently showed a very low contact resistance of less than one milli-Ohm.
Photon annually tests and compares the most important photovoltaic connectors in their own test lab, using real-world test criteria. The Photon test is among the largest and best known comparison of PV connectors in the industry.
Amphenol's H4 connectors received ratings of 1.7 for the field-assembled unit and 1.9 for the factory-assembled connector, based on a scale of 1 to 6, with 1 being the best and 6 failing. Amphenol's Helios H4 is a dual-rated (UL/TUV) PV connector that meets NEC 2008 without the need for extra locking collars and locking sleeves. This cost-effective interconnection uses Amphenol's RADSOK technology to achieve higher current ratings and lower contact resistance, resulting in lower power losses.
The Helios H4, used to connect solar panels and inverters, mates with industry standard connectors. The RoHS-compliant connector uses a simple unlocking tool for easy unmating in the field, and is TUV, UL and CSA approved. Helios H4 connectors are available through Amphenol's solar distribution network.
