BALCONY POWER PLANT
WITH WIELAND CONNECTor AND SOCKET
CAUTION: USE OF BETTERI CONNECTORS WITH RST CONNECTOR SYSTEM!
OUR SOLUTION FOR STANDARD-COMPLIANT INSTALLATION OF POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS: RST® SYSTEM SOCKET
It is really impressive how many people have recently decided to make their own contribution to the energy transition - by installing a small PV system for the balcony. Nobody likes to miss out on environmentally friendly and sustainable energy production!
But let's not forget that safe connection and operation is crucial. This is where the VDE regulations come into play - because they take into account generation systems with special connectors (PLUG-IN PV SYSTEMS) to ensure that everything runs safely and easily.
THE WIELAND CONNECTOR OVERVIEW OF THE RST® SERIES
Our RST® circular connectors have been specially designed for efficient, pluggable and IP-protected electrical installation in demanding environments. Especially in damp, dusty and dirty environments – such as industrial halls, parking garages or outdoor areas – the highest requirements must be met regarding the safety and flexibility in wiring and the supply of electrical consumers.
Within the last 20 years, the RST® circular connector has proven itself as a reliable installation system in numerous industries. The worldwide approvals speak for themselves.
Read about the potential of our RST® series now.
WIELAND ELECTRIC - THE COMPANY BEHIND THE CONNECTOR
If you are familiar with the world of electrical engineering, you will probably already be familiar with Wieland connectors. It is hard to imagine life without this product; it can be found in countless applications, buildings and solutions.
Behind this product is us – Wieland Electric – a company that has specialized in the development and production of electrical connection and automation technology for many years.
For further insights into our work, we recommend you take a brief detour to our company portrait for end users.
VDE POSITION PAPER ON PLUG-IN MINI PV SYSTEMS
In principle, the VDE prefers installation by a specialist, as this is the only way to check the suitability of the existing electrical installation in the house and adapt it if necessary. In order to enable the widespread use of mini power generation systems, the VDE is in favor of tolerating the Schuko® Connector for feed-in up to a total system power limit of 800 W.
Note from Wieland Electric: An acquiescence must not be equated with a normative regulation.
The message from the VDE states that
- plug-in PV systems offer small electricity consumers the opportunity to drive the energy transition.
- the equipment must be connected via a special energy plug-in device in accordance with the requirements of DIN VDE V 0100-551 and DIN VDE V 0100-551-1 so that it can be fed into existing final circuits.
- the registration of the generation plant is carried out in accordance with the specifications of the responsible grid operator.
- only skilled persons may work on electrical systems.
Source: VDE, 11.01.2023: https://www.vde.com/en/press/press-releases/2023-01-11-mini-pv
With the RST® system socket, Wieland Electric offers a suitable product to ensure the safe and standard-compliant connection of mini PV systems with RST® connectors.
INFO BROCHURE:
SYSTEM SOCKET
FOR CONNECTING MINI PV SYSTEMS
Discover the advantages of a simple and safe connection option for your power generation plants with the RST® system socket. Learn more about the technical details and options of pluggable supply from so-called "balcony power plants" in our new info brochure.
Let us convince you and download the brochure now.
AVAILABILITY OF WIELAND CONNECTORS AND SOCKETS
As a producer, we exclusively address specialist retailers. Here is an overview of selected specialist dealers for you:
- www.mein-solarwerk.de - Steckersolar GmbH
- www.enprovesolar.de - Enprovement GmbH
- www.greenakku.de - Bosswerk GmbH & Co. KG
- www.primesolar.eu - Prime Solar Solutions UG & Co. KG.
- www.yuma.de - Yuma GmbH
- www.siz-shop.de - Solar-Info-Zentrum SIZ GmbH
| Name/type | Description | Art. No. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RST mounting frame Kit socket | RST 20/25 mounting frame for system socket, suitable for 2-/3-/4- or 5-pole M25 device connection | 99.400.9999.7 |
| 2 | Surface mount housing for mounting frame | Dimensions 81 x 81 x 43 mm, material plastic, color arctic white | 99.404.9999.7 |
| 3 | Device connection RST20i3F B2 M01 SW | RST20i3 device connection M25, 3-pole, female part in spring-clamp technology, application 250 V, 20 A, coding color black | 96.031.1053.1 |
| 4 | Connector RST20i3S S1 YR1 V SW | RST20i3 plug connector (90ᵒ angled), 3-pole, plug part in screw technology, application 250 V, 20 A, for cable diameters 6 – 10 mm, coding color black, housing color black | 96.034.4053.1 |
| 5 | Cable assembly RST20i3K-KFX 15 30 SW | RST20i3 Connecting cable female - male, 3-pole, assembled with heat shrink tubing, application 250 V, 16 A, cable type H07RN-F, length 3.0 m, conductor cross-section 1.5 mm2, coding color black | 99.405.9999.7 |
| 6 | Cable assembly RST20i3K1BS 15 99 SW | RST20i3 extension cable female - male, 3-pole, assembled with heat shrink tubing, application 250 V, 16 A, cable type H07RN-F, length 9.9 m, conductor cross-section 1.5 mm2, coding color black | 96.232.9930.1 |
ASSEMBLY BY QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN MANDATORY
Turn your balcony into an energy source - with our assembly instructions for your balcony power plant. But despite the great temptation to self-assemble, only a trained electrician will ensure the safe and efficient operation of your balcony power plant.
Once again: This assembly must not be carried out by private persons under any circumstances. The assembly must be carried out by a qualified electrician who must have read and understood the instructions.
Download the assembly instructions now, share them with your electrician and ensure the safety of your balcony power plant.
THE SAFE WAY INTO THE GRID
Since the beginning of the expansion of solar systems in the early 2000s, the RST® connector has been successfully established by all leading string inverter manufacturers and has become the quasi-standard interface. This did not stop with the trend towards the so-called module inverters a few years later. On the contrary, the RST® product portfolio with its system components proved to be the ideal installation system to connect the multitude of module inverters easily and safely.
Even with the ingenious idea of opening up individual of these solar panels including module inverters in the form of a balcony power plant to a wide range of customers, the RST® circular connector remains the ideal solution for a safe way into the domestic grid.
FURTHER SOURCES
Registration:
Before a balcony power generation system can be put into operation, it must be registered both with the responsible grid operator and in the market master data register of the Federal Network Agency. This registration is carried out in accordance with the specifications of the respective network operator. Registration in the market master data register can be carried out directly on the relevant website.
Standards and approvals:
VDE Testing and Certification Institute, Offenbach
Associations:
DGS German Solar Energy Society, Berlin https://www.pvplug.de
Universities:
FAQ
A "plug-in mini photovoltaic system" is also known by other names such as "plug-in PV system", "mini PV", "balcony PV", "balcony power station". Mini PV systems are connected to the domestic end circuit either permanently or via a suitable energy socket.
The use of a commercially available Schuko® plug is tolerated by the VDE, but does not meet the safety requirements of a broad professional audience. The very controversial discussion – also within the VDE – continues. We can only speculate about the outcome. As a leading manufacturer of high-quality connectors, Wieland Electric always positions itself on the electrically safe side.
A "plug-in mini PV system" makes it possible to consume the electricity generated directly where it is produced: In the house or apartment. This means that the electricity from the mini PV system's own production is used directly and only the additionally required electricity has to be drawn from the public power grid. As a result, the electricity bill is lower and the connection of such a system can be financially worthwhile after a relatively short time. And it goes without saying that a contribution is made to climate protection and the load on the power grids is reduced.
Yes, it is possible to integrate mini PV systems into an in-house final circuit. This was made possible with the publication of the preliminary standard DIN VDE V 0100-551-1:2018 in Germany. However, it is important to note that the connection may only be made via a special energy plug-in device or a fixed installation.
It is possible to use a domestic final circuit for the connection of a mini PV system. However, a qualified electrician must check whether the cables are sufficiently dimensioned. It may be necessary to replace the existing fuse with one of a lower current rating to protect the circuit from overload and fire. In order to connect the system in accordance with the standards, a qualified electrician must replace the household socket outlet with a special energy socket outlet or perform a permanent installation.
The possibility to start up a "plug-in" mini PV system by yourself depends on whether the electrical installation has an energy socket - correctly connected and tested by a qualified electrician. If this is the case, the mini PV system can be commissioned by a person without electrical engineering expertise.
There is no fire hazard when commissioned in accordance with the standards.
According to the current position paper of the VDE dated 11.01.2023, the supply via a standard Schuko® socket is tolerated; however, this type of supply involves safety-related risks, which are avoided by using a special energy socket. In addition to the lack of contact safety of the Schuko® plug, there is a risk of overloading the electrical installation if the current carrying capacity of the conductors of the final circuit used for the mini PV system is exceeded. When installing the special energy socket, the electrician checks the suitability of the electrical installation for the use of a mini PV system. The interconnection of several mini PV systems through multiple socket strips and a resulting overload of the circuit is also prevented.
The total system power limit of a plug-in mini PV system is 800 watts (0.8 kW); in accordance with REGULATION (EU) 2016/631.