Whether the application for which you are going to use them is for solar panels or some other work, here we will explain the types of MC4, why they are so useful, how to strike them in a professional way and reliable links to buy them.

What is a solar connector or MC4

They are ideal connectors to carry out especially photovoltaic installations as they meet the requirements to withstand extreme atmospheric conditions.

Parts of an MC4 connector

We will divide this section in two since there are male MC4 connectors and female MC4 connectors and it is very important to be able to differentiate them well both in the housing and in the contact sheets. The only thing that MC4 connectors have in common are the gland connectors and the staples that go inside the MC4 to anchor the contact sheets.

We name MC4 connectors by the housing, not by the contact sheet, this is because the contact sheet of a male MC4 is female and the contact sheet of a female MC4 is male. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO CONFUSE THEM.

Characteristics of MC4 type connectors

We will only talk about MC4s for wire sizes 14AWG, 12AWG and 10 AWG, which are the same; since there is another MC4 that are for 8 AWG gauge cables that are not very common to use. The main characteristics of the MC4 are the following:

• Nominal voltage: 1000V DC (According to IEC [International Electrotechnical Commission]), 600V / 1000V DC (according to UL certification)
• Rated current: 30A
• Contact resistance: 0.5 milliOhms
• Terminal Material: Tinned Copper Alloy