Product Overview
MC4 Y Branch Connector 2 to 1 merges two parallel PV strings into a single output cable without a combiner box. It is the simplest form of DC parallel connection in a solar installation, two inputs, one output, no enclosure, no fuses, no additional hardware. For small systems where only two strings need to combine before reaching the inverter, the Y branch connector replaces a combiner box with a single weatherproof component that installs in seconds.The connector body is molded as a single sealed unit with MC4-compatible ports on all three legs. The parallel connection is made inside the factory-sealed housing, eliminating field wiring errors at the combination point.
Specifications
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|
Connector Type |
MC4 Y branch, 2 to 1 |
|
Configuration |
2 inputs → 1 output |
|
Rated Voltage |
1000V AC/1500V DC |
|
Rated Current per Branch |
30A |
|
Total Output Current |
60A |
|
Contact Material |
Copper alloy, tin plated |
|
Housing Material |
UV-resistant PPO |
|
Protection Rating |
IP67 |
|
Temperature Range |
-40°C-85°C |
|
Wire Compatibility |
2.5–6 mm² |
Core Uses
Two-String Parallel Connection
The primary use case. When a residential or small commercial system has exactly two strings that need to combine before the inverter input, a 2 to 1 Y branch connector handles the job cleanly. It eliminates the need for a separate combiner box, saving cost, mounting hardware, and installation time.
Inverter Input Consolidation
Some string inverters have fewer MPPT inputs than the system has strings. A Y branch connector combines two strings into one input, allowing the inverter to handle more strings than it has physical input ports , provided the strings are matched in orientation and configuration.
Application Scenarios
Residential Systems with Two Strings
A typical residential system with 8–16 panels often runs two strings. Instead of routing both strings separately to the inverter or installing a small combiner box, a 2 to 1 Y branch connector merges them at the rooftop level. The single combined cable then runs to the inverter, simplifying the home run and reducing cable cost.
Small Commercial Rooftop Arrays
On small commercial rooftops where the array is divided into a few string pairs, Y branch connectors provide a lightweight alternative to combiner boxes. They keep the rooftop installation clean and reduce the number of penetrations or mounting points needed for BOS equipment.
Selection Guide
Use the 2-to-1 Y branch when exactly two strings need to combine and the combined current stays within the connector output rating. Ensure both strings are matched, same orientation, same tilt, to avoid current mismatch that can reduce energy yield.
For three or four strings, use the 3 to 1 or 4 to 1 Y branch connector. For systems with more than four parallel strings or where fuse protection is required at the combination point, a dedicated combiner box is the appropriate solution.
Wiring Configuration
The 2 to 1 Y branch connector is available in both positive and negative versions. A complete parallel connection requires one positive Y branch and one negative Y branch. Both are needed to complete the circuit.
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