Adapter box for protection of the electrical connection of a photovoltaic module

1. An adapter box for protection of the electrical connection of a photovoltaic module, wherein the adapter box is attachable to an electrical junction box of such photovoltaic module, the adapter box comprising on at least one side thereof conduit openings for receiving protective conduits through which cables can be run for connection of such cables to electrical connectors of such junction box, and wherein (a) the adapter box is configured to space the conduit openings a distance from such electrical connectors when the adapter box is attached to such junction box, and (b) the adapter box further comprises at least one connector opening for such electrical connectors, whereby such cables can run through such protective conduits and extend therefrom within the adapter box for connection therein to such electrical connectors via the at least one opening.

2. The adapter box according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one connector opening for said electrical connectors is formed as an opening on a side of the adapter box which, when connected to such junction box, faces towards such junction box.

3. The adapter box of claim 2 , wherein the connector opening extends over the full area of the side of the adapter box which faces towards such junction box.

4. The adapter box according to claim 2 , wherein the adapter box comprises a separate connector opening for each connector, the width of each connector opening corresponding to the diameter of a respective connector.

5. The adapter box according to claim 1 , wherein such photovoltaic module has a back side, and the adapter box comprises a base, a top and side walls, the base defining a base opening which faces towards the back side of such photovoltaic module when the adapter box is attached to such electrical junction box.

6. The adapter box of claim 5 , wherein the base opening extends over the full area of the base.

7. The adapter box according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter box comprises a base, a top, a front wall and side walls, and the base comprises a base plate extending in a direction away from the front wall.

8. The adapter box according to claim 7 , wherein the base plate is provided with an adhesive strip for affixing the adapter box to the photovoltaic module.

9. The adapter box according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter box comprises a base, a top and side walls, the top defining a top opening and the adapter box further comprising a cover plate to be received on said top.

10. The adapter box according to claim 1 , wherein the respective inner diameters of said conduit openings for receiving such protective conduits corresponds to the outer diameter of said conduits.

11. The adapter box according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter box comprises a base, a top and a wall comprised of a front wall, a back wall and two side walls, said conduit openings for inserting said protective conduits being pre-perforated in one or more of the front wall and the side walls whereby said openings may be selectively stamped out.

12. The adapter box according to claim 1 , further comprising brackets for coupling the adapter box to such junction box, the brackets being removably fixed to such junction box by retaining elements on such junction box.

13. The adapter box according to claim 12 , wherein the adapter box comprises a base, a top and a wall comprising a front wall, a back wall and two side walls, the brackets being extensions of said side walls and extending substantially perpendicularly away from the back wall.

14. The adapter box according to claim 12 , wherein each of said brackets comprises at least one fixing lug being engageable with one of such retaining elements on such junction box.

15. The adapter box according to claim 12 , wherein each of said brackets is configured to define therein an indentation.

16. An adapter box for protection of the electrical connection of a photovoltaic module, wherein the adapter box is attachable to an electrical junction box of such photovoltaic module, the adapter box comprising on at least one side thereof conduit openings for inserting protective conduits through which cables may run for connection to electrical connectors of such junction box, the adapter box further comprising at least one connector opening for said connectors and further comprising brackets for coupling the adapter box to the junction box, the brackets being fixed removably with retaining elements to the junction box.

17. The adapter box according to claim 16 , wherein the adapter box comprises a base, a top and a wall comprised of a front wall, a back wall and two side walls, the brackets being extensions of said side walls and extending substantially perpendicularly away from the back of said wall.

18. The adapter box according to claim 16 , wherein each of said brackets comprises at least one fixing lug being engageable with one of said retaining elements.

19. The adapter box according to claim 16 , wherein each of said brackets is configured to define therein an indentation.

20. A photovoltaic module having an electrical junction box comprising electrical connectors for electrical connection of the photovoltaic module, and an adapter box attached to the junction box, the adapter box on at least one side thereof comprising conduit openings for receiving protective conduits through which cables can be run for connection to the electrical connectors of the junction box, and (a) the adapter box is configured to space the conduit openings a distance from the electrical connectors, and (b) the adapter box further comprising at least one connector opening for said connectors, whereby such cables can be enclosed within such protective conduits and extend therefrom within the adapter box for connection therein to such electrical connectors via the at least one opening.