EcoCable > Solar PV Cable Tyco PV4 to Multi-Contact MC4 Adapter Pair

Adapter Pair: 88.2234
Tyco PV4 Male (-) to MC4 Female (+)
Tyco PV4 Female (+) to MC4 Male (-)

Adapters are used when trying to join connectors from the module that do not match up with the inverter. All adapters are made with PV-Wire that has an extra layer of insulation for use on ungrounded arrays in conjunction with transformerless inverters. This type of wire is required to meet the 2008 NEC if you are using a transformerless inverter.

Male versus Female

In most electrical industries, connectors are described as “Male” and “Female” but this applies to the metal contacts themselves, not the plastic insulator that houses them. For some manufacturers of solar equipment, such as Amphenol, Tyco SolarLok, Multi-contact, and Radox connector systems, the housing of the connector pins appear opposite from standard electrical industries.

For example:

The male pin has housing with a relatively large opening in the end and the pin itself is recessed within. The female pin has housing that has a long narrow tip that fits into the male housing when they are mated. This appearance is just the opposite of what the terms “Male” and “Female” usually bring to mind and is the biggest source of problems in ordering exactly what you, the customer, needs.

When ordering adapters for your PV cables, it is vital to specify the physical type of connector for each end as well as its polarity.