Amphenol's HelioLug First UL 2703 Certified Grounding Component for Solar Installations

Amphenol Industrial, a global leader in interconnect systems, introduces the HelioLug, the first grounding lug that meets the solar industry's specific UL 2703 certification. The new lug is used by solar integrators, installers and EPC firms for grounding solar modules in residential, commercial and utility solar projects.

The affordable HelioLug is easy to install and simplifies grounding requirements. The included stainless steel mounting hardware, also UL 2703 certified, allows the lug to be used to ground the rack as well as the PV module. Each row of PV modules in an installation must have a ground wire attached to the rack. Other lugs require additional holes to be drilled or prevent the grounding of racks completely. The new HelioLug eliminates all these installation obstacles completely, lowering installation and maintenance costs.

Made from durable tin-plated copper that prevents galvanic corrosion and protects the copper from oxidizing, the HelioLug provides low contact resistance and high conductivity to make it the most reliable way to ground solar panels. Its open-face design allows simple, quick lay-in without breaking or cutting the conductor. An included star washer penetrates aluminum annodization of the module frame and racks, which is necessary for establishing grounding contact. The HelioLug can accommodate 4 -12 AWG bare copper wire.

According to both UL and NEC requirements all solar modules must be grounded. UL 2703 is a new solar grounding specification that covers rack mounting systems and clamp devices intended for use with photovoltaic module systems with a maximum system voltage of 1000 V. These requirements also cover ground/bonding paths, mechanical strength and suitability of materials.