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Connectivity in Home Energy Storage Systems

The home energy storage market is rapidly evolving, driven by a surge in demand for safe and efficient energy solutions. This growth emphasizes the need for addressing increased power requirements along with robust thermal management. Designers face the challenge of optimizing for power within the constrained spaces of residential settings, requiring innovative approaches to printed circuit board (PCB) space utilization and connectivity design.

Designing Home Energy Storage System Connections


Connectivity is a critical consideration in newer home energy storage systems (HESS), sometimes referred to as energy storage systems (ESS), that demand rising energy throughput. As these systems handle higher energy levels, robust thermal management is needed to mitigate risk. The challenge for designers lies in striking a balance — achieving the necessary high power while ensuring low contact resistance and low voltage drop, the key factors in minimizing heat generation. This balance is vital for efficiency as well as for the safety and longevity of the systems.

Another constraint in the residential setting is the product’s physical footprint. The pressure to minimize space reaches as far as the layouts of PCBs, where designers seek to optimize every square inch of available real estate.

As the sector continues to expand at an unprecedented pace, manufacturers strive for rapid time to market for products. This urgency calls for components that not only enhance the performance efficiency of HESS but also simplify assembly processes. Connectivity solutions and cable assemblies that promise easy installation and minimize production time are not a luxury but a requirement to keep pace with the industry's growth trajectory.

Molex addresses home energy storage with an array of solutions designed to address these complex challenges. 


Battery Systems


For battery systems, there is a growing need for connectors that combine a small footprint with design versatility, offering various configurations and circuit sizes to accommodate the diverse requirements. This balance is critical for meeting the escalating demands of modern energy solutions.

  Current Circuits Operating Temperature Wire Gauge Pitch Other
SW1 Connectors up to 300.0A   -40 to 125°C      
Mini-Fit Connectors up to 13.0A 2 to 40 up to 120°C 16 to 18 AWG 4.20mm 6.00, 8.00, 11.00mm Contact Diameter
Mini-Fit Off-the-Shelf Power and Signal Discrete Wire Cable Assemblies up to 13.0A 2 to 10 up to 120°C 16 to 18 AWG 4.20mm  
Nano-Fit Off-the-Shelf Power and Signal Discrete Wire Cable Assemblies up to 8.0A 4 to 16 up to 115°C   2.50mm  
Nano-Fit Connectors up to 8.0A 4 to 16 up to 115°C 16 to 18 AWG 2.50mm  
  Voltage Circuits Pitch
Terminal Blocks up to 1000V 1 to 48 0.54 to 15.00mm

High-Power Solutions for Gateways


Engineered to meet rigorous power requirements and minimize heat generation, these HESS gateway connectors provide solutions that help designers achieve high-power performance without compromising safety and efficiency.

  Current Plating Operating Temperature Other
SW1 Connectors up to 300.0A   -40 to 125°C 6.00, 8.00, 11.00mm Contact Diameter
Busbars   Tin, Nickel, Silver   Flexible, Rigid & Laminated
PowerPlane Busar Connectors 130.0 to 320.0A Silver -40 to 125°C Solder Tail, Screw Mount Termination Styles

Power Connectors for Gateways


As the home energy sector evolves, design requirements become increasingly complex. In this dynamic environment, the need for versatile power connectors is paramount. Designers seek solutions that meet power requirements for today and tomorrow. Power connectors for gateways provide this adaptability, offering a range of options that preserve PCB real estate while delivering the appropriate power to keep home energy systems running efficiently and reliably.

  Current Plating Operating Temperature Wire Gauge Pitch
Mega-Fit Connectors up to 30.0A Tin, Gold   10 to 16 AWG 5.70mm
Mini-Fit Connectors up to 13.0A   up to 120°C 16 to 18 AWG  

 

  Voltage Circuits Pitch
Terminal Blocks up to 1000V 1 to 48 0.54 to 15.00mm

Cable Assemblies for Gateways


With emphasis on rapid time to market in the HESS sector, manufacturers are seeking solutions to help streamline production time, ensure quality and reduce costly tooling requirements. For these reasons, adopting preassembled cables provides brands with a strategic advantage. These ready-to-integrate solutions facilitate quicker assembly processes, ensuring that energy storage systems can meet both the burgeoning demand and the stringent quality standards of the energy landscape.

  Current Circuits Wire Gauge Pitch
Mini-Fit Off-the-Shelf Power and Signal Discrete Wire Cable Assemblies up to 13.0A 2 to 10 16 to 18 AWG 4.20mm