What are the special features of PV Next combiner boxes and how do I find the right variant?

A PV system on the roof requires an IEC 61439-2-approved GFCI to protect the system against overvoltage. The Combiner box PV Next also offers additional functions, such as the bundling of strings for reduced cabling effort. Depending on the installation type, overvoltage protection Type II or Type I+II is required. You can easily find the right variant using the selection guide on our website. Learn how to choose the right PV combiner box in our fact sheet

How do you protect PV installations against lightning strikes?

The overvoltage protection inside a PV combiner box (DC side of the installation) is one part of the lightning protection system (LPS) of a building and is mandatory according to EN 51643-32 in the EU since 2019. It is used to protect your PV system and provides additional overcurrent protection for the strings in the event of a module failure. You can find detailed information on surge protection for PV systems in our fact sheet

When are DC fuses mandatory to install?

Depending on the kind of photovoltaic installation, a combiner box with fuses is required. According to the IEC 62548:2016, fuses are mandatory if the maximum return current is higher than the return current of the module. How to correctly dimension and calculate fuses you can learn in our fact sheet

How can I ensure a long service life for a PV combiner box?

To ensure the return on investment of a PV system, all products from the modules to the inverters and GAKs should have a lifetime of 20 years. The correct selection and design of all components and the subsequent validation of their interaction will result in a long lifetime of the product. Which components influence the lifetime of combiner boxes you will find in our fact sheet

How to connect a combiner box with an inverter with low input current?

It is popular to install combiner boxes close to the PV modules to combine strings, which may result in the bundled string having too high currents for the input of the inverter. If the current is distributed evenly to the inputs of the inverter, this prevents too high a current from being fed in. How this can be implemented in the installation is explained in our fact sheet

How to combine PV strings and when is this efficient?

In residential installations, the PV modules are often installed on the roof and the string inverters are placed in the basement. An IEC 61439-2 approved combiner box offers the possibility to combine strings and thus save installation time, material and space for cables running through the building. Examples of installation and which cable cross-sections you need for your strings can be found in our fact sheet

What are the requirements for load break switches in PV systems?

PV systems require a DC load-break switch according to IEC 60364-7-712. These switches can be integrated in string inverters, combiner boxes, fireman switches or similar devices. Until 2018, DIN EN-60947-3 considered only DC switches for 24 V or lower power ratings. Until 2018, DIN EN-60947-3 considered only DC switches for 24 V or lower power ratings. You can find detailed information on surge protection for PV systems in our fact sheet

What is there to consider with markers and labels for PV systems?

Photovoltaic installations are designed for a lifetime of more than 30 years. According to IEC 62548:2016, there is a need for UV-resistant marking in PV installations to ensure the lifetime of markers and stickers. You can find detailed information on UV resistance in our fact sheet

When are automatic firemans switches required?

An emergency shutdown in the event of a fire is specified by the building insurer or the local fire brigade. In this case, the string lines running trough the biulding must be switched off automatically if the fire brigade is called out. The technical solution is a fireman switch installed at the entry point of the strings lines into the building. You can find more information about the PV next fireman switch in this fact sheet .

Solutions for rooftop photovoltaic systems

Easy. fast. & safe. installation

Our mission toward the energy transition: We want to make the installation of PV systems on the roof easier, faster and safer for installers. For this reason, we offer an extensive range of PV combiner boxes, surge protection devices, connectors, tools and components.

The combiner box product family PV Next offers standard variants for DC-side protection of the installation between PV panel and inverter. At the same time, PV strings can be combined in the PV boxes to reduce the amount of cabling required.

Get to know our photovoltaic products for rooftop systems here and find many more tips on photovoltaic installation.

Products for rooftop PV systems

PV Next Combiner Box

Standardised, highly-scalable combiner box for residentials and commercial photovoltaic applications
Covers today's standard requirements, enabling PV installers to work faster and more cost-effectively
PUSH IN technology reduces assembly times and minimises the risk of errors

PV Next combiner box GO TO PRODUCT CATALOGUE

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PV Next Fireman Switch

Disconnects PV modules from the grid in case of fire
Efficient combination of strings with cable savings of up to 50 %
Variants with integrated overvoltage protection

PV Next Fireman Switch GO TO PRODUCT CATALOGUE

PV Protect OVP Box

Optimum protection of the inverter against overvoltages
Ready-to-connect boxes available for different system voltages
Various arrestor types and MPP trackers

PV Protect OVP Box GO TO PRODUCT CATALOGUE

Combiner boxes for FRONIUS Tauro Eco

Specially designed for Tauro Eco inverters
Including overvoltage protection type I/II
Optionally with string monitoring

Combiner boxes for FRONIUS Tauro Eco

PV accessories: connectors, tools and more

Everything you need for an easy, fast and safe installation:
Reliable PV connectors, cables, tools, labels and markers, fuses and more

PV accessories GO TO PRODUCT CATALOGUE

VPU PV Lightning and surge protection modules

Arrester type I and II up to 1,500 V
Tested according to valid IEC/EN 61643-31 and UL 1449
Maximum short-circuit capability with 11 kA

VPU PV Lightning and surge protection modules Go to product catalogue

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AC SPD-Box

Quick installation thanks to Push-In technology
Use for both charging stations and PV systems
Suitable for cable cross-sections up to 6mm²

AC SPD-Box Go to product catalogue

VPU AC Lightning and surge protection modules

Arrester type I, II and III
Tested according to valid IEC/EN 61643-11 and UL 1449
Fuseless operation up to 315 A backup fuse

VPU AC Blitz- und Überspannungsschutz Module Go to product catalogue

Product overview Surge protection for PV systems

Product	Product & installation type	Typical application	Type of current	Number of MPP	Voltage	Additional function	Go to product catalogue
PV Next	Combiner box (ready-to-connect box)	Single-family house, multi-family house, commercial building, industrial scale	DC	1-12	1000 V	Combination of strings, load-break switch, optionally with cable gland or PV connector	Go to product catalogue
PV Next Fireman Switch	Combiner box with auto. emergency shutdown (ready-to-connect box)	Single-family house, multi-family house, commercial building, industrial scale	DC	1-6	1000 V	Automatic disconnection and reconnection in case of an emergency, combination of strings, optionally with cable gland or PV connector	Go to product catalogue
PV DC combiner box	Combiner box for systems in the commercial /industrial segment (ready-to-connect box)	Industrial scale	DC	1-12	1500 V	Combination of strings, optionally with monitoring	Go to product catalogue
PV Protect	Overvoltage protection box (ready-to-connect box, additional Y-cable or X-cable required)	Single-family house, multi-family house; especially retrofitting	DC	1-12	1000 V, 1500 V	Optionally with cable gland or PV connector	Go to product catalogue
VARITECTOR Lightning and surge protection for photovoltaic systems	Component for mounting rail installation, plug-in modules or monoblock (mounting rail)	All system types (rooftop and ground-mounted systems)	DC	Individual	600 V, 1000 V, 1500 V	Advanced surge protection for photovoltaic energy generation	Go to product catalogue
V-Data	Component for mounting rail installation (mounting rail)	Overvoltage protection for data communication	DC	-	24 V	Special variants for the most common industrial data systems, like Ethernet, RS 485, RS 232.	Go to product catalogue
VARITECTOR AC Lightning and surge protection	Component for mounting rail installation (single arrester (1-4 poles) for mounting rail or ZPA for busbar)	Wherever AC voltage is present, all building types, retrofitting of existing systems	AC	-	230 V	Comprehensive protection against damage and downtimes	Go to product catalogue
AC SPD-Box	Overvoltage protection box for charging boxes (ready-to-connect box)	Protection of the charging box and PV system against overvoltage for cable lengths >10 metres	AC	-	230 V	Surge protection for data communication	Go to product catalogue

Efficient installation of rooftop PV systems

Are you looking for solutions to increase the efficiency of your photovoltaic installation projects? Here we give you an overview of the right products for reliable protection in commercial and residential buildings. Learn more about our PV combiner boxes for different inverter types.

Perfect combination

PV Next protects the PV system against overvoltages and short circuits and offers the option of combining strings. The various designs are done to protect all string inverters available in the European market. Find the right combiner box for your inverter.

TECH TALKs & Webinars

In our TECH TALK video series, we focus on our customers' challenges and present a short and simple solution. In our PV-Edition we deal with special tips and tricks for the installation of photovoltaic systems on the roof.

The webinar recordings provide deeper insight into installing rooftop PV systems with our products. What is the best way to protect your equipment from overvoltage? How to find the right combiner box? This and more you will learn in our webinars.

TECH TALK | PV Edition: Stop crimping on the roof

Let us analyse a common and unnecessary cause of failure in PV rooftop systems: poor crimp connections. If you don't want to crimp on the roof in the future, try our PV Stick.

TECH TALK | PV Edition: A fuse is not a circuit breaker

In this video you will learn how to disconnect photovoltaic strings from the power flow safely and easily with our PV Next combiner boxes with DC switch.

TECH TALK | PV Edition: How to find the perfect match easily

Learn how to use our simple selection tool to find the perfect PV combiner box for your inverter and stop working your way through the data sheet jungle. and stop working your way through the data sheet jungle.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about the Installation of rooftop PV systems

In our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), we answer common questions about installing photovoltaic systems on the roof and provide valuable tips and tricks about our PV products. The content focuses on buildings within the European Union (EU).

What are the special features of PV Next combiner boxes and how do I find the right variant?

A PV system on the roof requires an IEC 61439-2-approved GFCI to protect the system against overvoltage. The Combiner box PV Next also offers additional functions, such as the bundling of strings for reduced cabling effort. Depending on the installation type, overvoltage protection Type II or Type I+II is required. You can easily find the right variant using the selection guide on our website.
Learn how to choose the right PV combiner box in our fact sheet
How do you protect PV installations against lightning strikes?

The overvoltage protection inside a PV combiner box (DC side of the installation) is one part of the lightning protection system (LPS) of a building and is mandatory according to EN 51643-32 in the EU since 2019. It is used to protect your PV system and provides additional overcurrent protection for the strings in the event of a module failure.
You can find detailed information on surge protection for PV systems in our fact sheet
When are DC fuses mandatory to install?

Depending on the kind of photovoltaic installation, a combiner box with fuses is required. According to the IEC 62548:2016, fuses are mandatory if the maximum return current is higher than the return current of the module.
How to correctly dimension and calculate fuses you can learn in our fact sheet
How can I ensure a long service life for a PV combiner box?

To ensure the return on investment of a PV system, all products from the modules to the inverters and GAKs should have a lifetime of 20 years. The correct selection and design of all components and the subsequent validation of their interaction will result in a long lifetime of the product.
Which components influence the lifetime of combiner boxes you will find in our fact sheet
How to connect a combiner box with an inverter with low input current?

It is popular to install combiner boxes close to the PV modules to combine strings, which may result in the bundled string having too high currents for the input of the inverter. If the current is distributed evenly to the inputs of the inverter, this prevents too high a current from being fed in.
How this can be implemented in the installation is explained in our fact sheet
How to combine PV strings and when is this efficient?

In residential installations, the PV modules are often installed on the roof and the string inverters are placed in the basement. An IEC 61439-2 approved combiner box offers the possibility to combine strings and thus save installation time, material and space for cables running through the building.
Examples of installation and which cable cross-sections you need for your strings can be found in our fact sheet
What are the requirements for load break switches in PV systems?

PV systems require a DC load-break switch according to IEC 60364-7-712. These switches can be integrated in string inverters, combiner boxes, fireman switches or similar devices. Until 2018, DIN EN-60947-3 considered only DC switches for 24 V or lower power ratings. Until 2018, DIN EN-60947-3 considered only DC switches for 24 V or lower power ratings.
You can find detailed information on surge protection for PV systems in our fact sheet
What is there to consider with markers and labels for PV systems?

Photovoltaic installations are designed for a lifetime of more than 30 years. According to IEC 62548:2016, there is a need for UV-resistant marking in PV installations to ensure the lifetime of markers and stickers.
You can find detailed information on UV resistance in our fact sheet
When are automatic firemans switches required?

An emergency shutdown in the event of a fire is specified by the building insurer or the local fire brigade. In this case, the string lines running trough the biulding must be switched off automatically if the fire brigade is called out. The technical solution is a fireman switch installed at the entry point of the strings lines into the building.
You can find more information about the PV next fireman switch in this fact sheet .

Our products for building infrastructure

Global reference projects

The best proof of our many years of experience in the development and production of solutions for the photovoltaic industry, are our worldwide reference projects. Whether for rooftop or ground-mounted PV systems, on water or in the desert, our products have been tried and tested and successfully used for many years.