I'm not going to say that the requirement makes very much sense, but
yes---the PE does test and approve the system in these situations.
Testing is up to the PE, and typically uses highly advanced testing
facilities; which might include things like a volt meter and clamp-on
ammeter for those especially rigorous test procedures.
I'm not going to argue that a PE procedure makes much sense for off
the shelf residential installations, but...
/wk
From: "Joel Davidson" <joel.david...@sbcglobal.net>
William,
What about the "tested and approved" requirement? Does your PE also
test and
approve the system?
Joel Davidson
----- Original Message -----
From: "William Korthof" <wkort...@eesolar.com>
To: <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 7:43 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification
Yes, Yorba Linda technically requires an electrical PE stamp on PV
projects.
We've probably done a dozen installations in the city, though I
don't
think they've
enforced the electrical PE requirement on all projects. They do
require
structural
PE on all projects as well, and that requirement is always
enforced. Big
pain.
Yes it's onerous. Yes we hate it. But we keep going.
We have structural and electrical PE engineers available to review
and
certify our
plans as needed, so these are just more extra costs helping to
drive up
the cost
of solar.
/wk
----- Original Message -----
From: William Miller
To: RE-wrenches
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 5:05 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solar System Certification
Brian:
I looked up the Municipal Codes
(http://www.ci.yorba-linda.ca.us/~ci26/how-do-i/get/get-city-
codes ) and
this requirement is right in there. I hope you have a provision
in your
contract that allows for additional billing for unanticipated
engineering fees. Everyone should. If you need language,
contact me
off line.
Fortunately I have never experienced anything like this. This
requirement sounds unreasonable. It is sort of like asking an air
conditioning contractor to have the air conditioning unit tested
in the
field. Individual solar components are listed. The combining of
the
components is facilitated by the manufacturers specifications and
on-line sizing tools. Having said that, an amateur can easily
screw the
design and installation of even the most simple grid-tie system.
This
provision is the ultimate consumer protection. It sounds onerous
at
first but does have a benefit.
Good luck, and give us a hint how much this certification costs.
William Miller
At 01:31 PM 12/18/2009, you wrote:
I am curious if any of you have had to deal with this issue
before.
The following is an item we got back from the City of Yorba
Linda for
a Plan Check correction:
All electrical solar systems shall be tested and approved by a
California Registered Electrical Engineer. The engineer shall
furnish a
report stating their name, registration number, its date of
expiration,
address where the testing occurred and the dates of testing and
approval. Such report shall be presented to the City inspector for
approval at the time of final inspection. (YLMC 15.28.020) Note
on the
plans.
All experiences and suggestion are appreciated.
Best Regards,
Brian C. White
Design Engineer - PV Systems
Eagle Roofing Products
120 North Auburn Street - Suite 212
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Phone: 530-273-2948
Cell: 530-575-5550
e-mail: bri...@eagleroofing.com <mailto:bri...@eagleroofing.com>
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:22:17 -0800
From: "Joel Davidson" <joel.david...@sbcglobal.net>
To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] 690.31E (through a building)
Message-ID: <446219df7fee400886afa5c8f396b...@joel>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Regarding the DC disconnect, the 2008 Handbook 690.14C(1) comments,
"These requirements generally prohibit long runs of PV source and
input circuits inside a building before reaching the required PV
disconnect. A short conductor run through a wall at the point of
first penetration to reach a disconnect mounted inside the building
is allowed." I think an inspector could bump a long DC circuit
through a building even if it was in conduit. What do you all think?
Joel Davidson
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Brooks
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 8:32 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] 690.31E (through a building)
Mark,
The readily accessible disconnect at the inverter is all that is
necessary according to the code. There may be practical reasons for
additional disconnects, but if the system has no combiner box, or
the combiner is at the inverter, only the disconnect at the inverter
is required.
Bill.
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
] On Behalf Of Mark Dickson
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 3:25 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: [RE-wrenches] 690.31E (through a building)
Hello there,
Due to a lot of concrete and asphalt, we are forced to run our PV
source circuits in through one exterior wall, through a crawl space
and out through the opposite exterior wall to our inverter and
disconnect. We will be using EMT and will not be making any stops
while inside the building. We will however need to place a couple
of pull-boxes due the various required bends in excess of 360*.
Will we be required to place a DC disconnect at the "first readily
accessible" point inside the building?
Best regards,
Mark Dickson,
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer T
Oasis Montana Inc.
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