I'm wrapping up my DIY solar to battery project, and I need some advice on how to safely pass my solar PV wires through the exterior wall into my home. The wires are currently at around 390V and 15A, with the EcoFlow battery just inside the wall. What's the best setup for this pass-through? Any recommendations?
2 Answers
Passing the wires through a wall usually requires using metal conduit per NEC guidelines here in the US. It's good that you're on the right path! Once you’re through, you might consider a simple cable faceplate for a neater aesthetic leading to the batteries. Just keep it efficient and tidy!
I did something similar a couple of years back! I used an electrically rated junction box with 3 strings of PV cables entering it through a 6" connector. The setup involved a junction box, a PVC piece that went through the wall, and a 90-degree connector on the inside wall. Just a tip: make sure to use gray, electrically rated PVC conduit and seal it with expanding foam to keep out cold air and bugs. I had a bit of an issue drilling through the wall, hitting a 2x4 unexpectedly, so be careful with that!
Good point! It's best to drill a pilot hole from the inside first using a stud finder. That way, you can avoid hitting anything unexpected when you drill from the outside.
Also, just to add, the NEC regulations in the US typically require a metal conduit for DC runs through walls. Just something to keep in mind!
Exactly! A faceplate can really pull the whole setup together aesthetically. Just make sure it’s secure and well-sealed so that everything stays protected.