Solar Cable Bracket With Clamp Halves for Derating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large solar farms require extensive cable management systems to prevent cable derating due to increased current carrying needs, necessitating a secure and efficient method to separate and support multiple cables while minimizing components and installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
A cable management system comprising a U-shaped bracket with securement slots and clamp halves, featuring button pads and releasable latches, which securely holds and separates cables, and includes messenger wire latches for easy attachment and reduced part numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple cables are placed together in brackets for solar farms, then cable management becomes simpler, but current carrying capacity is reduced due to derating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system is segmented into multiple sections with individual cable slots, allowing cables to be separated into distinct compartments. This segmentation maintains organizational simplicity while ensuring each cable has adequate air space for optimal current carrying capacity without derating.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cable slot within the bracket is designed with specific local characteristics including individual spacing, positioning, and air flow channels. This local quality optimization ensures that each cable position provides the necessary free air space for thermal management while maintaining overall system simplicity.
2Reliability
If cable separation is maintained to reduce derating, then current carrying capacity is improved, but installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brackets are pre-manufactured with cables pre-positioned in their final separated configurations during the manufacturing process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual cable separation and positioning during installation, while ensuring proper spacing and air flow for optimal current carrying capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket design incorporates self-aligning features and pre-configured cable slots that automatically guide cables into proper positions during installation. This self-service mechanism reduces the skill level and time required for installers while maintaining consistent cable separation for derating reduction.
3Reliability
If more bracket components are used to secure cables, then cable separation and support are improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into single integrated bracket components. The brackets combine cable support, separation, positioning, and securing functions into unified structures, eliminating the need for multiple separate components while maintaining cable separation stability and reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket design uses universal, multi-functional components that perform multiple roles simultaneously. Each bracket element is designed to provide structural support, maintain cable separation, enable airflow, and facilitate installation through integrated features, reducing the total component count while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable management system designed to support cables in solar applications. The cable management system includes a U-shaped bracket and at least one clamp half. The U-shaped bracket has a base with two arms with each arm including a securement slot. The clamp half has a top, a bottom, a front, a back, and sides with button pads extending from the sides. The clamp half is installed within the U-shaped bracket such that the button pads slide in the securement slots to position the clamp half in the U-shaped bracket. The clamp half separates and supports the cables installed in the U-shaped bracket.