Hey Ray and all,
Yes local contractors are being conacted now to get the scoop.
But the Inspectors do indeed fly to the islands and it's not a foreign
country to them. And yes always better to ask forgiveness rather than
permission but only armed with good information!
So again is there anything in the code itself that would preclude
230/400 50 hz? Specific references are what I'm looking for.
Anyone?
Thanks!
Jeff
Ray Walters wrote:
Canadian code? Bahamas? You my friend have to make serious contact
with local contractors to get the real scoop.
Seems that if the customer owns the whole island, he gets to decide
what voltage and frequency to operate the island at. Are there
actually building officials or inspectors that are going to boat out
to tell everyone what to do? We have whole counties here in Colorado
(and Oklahoma) with no electrical inspection process, so why would the
inspectors come to an isolated island in a foreign country?
Bottom line: Keep the customer happy and everyone else should be happy.
Ray Walters
On 8/9/2011 4:40 PM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:
Hi Jay and All,
This island is remote and stand-alone - the client owns the whole island.
Yes the multi-cluster box is available now in the US - up to 60 KWs -
European version goes up to 300 KWs.
400/230 would reduce wire sizes over 208/120 before we go to
transformers and allow bigger micro-grids to make up the island
mini-grid.
There's a larger selection of energy efficient appliances and light
fixtures available in the rest of the world vs the US & Canada.
Where exactly in the code does it say that things have to be listed -
or is that a local jurisdication thing?
And the Bahamas uses the Canadian Code. Bahaman authorities might
accept Euro listings.
That's the thinking so far!
Any more insight from anyone before I waste time on an impossible
quest would be most appreciated!
Best,
Jeff
Village Power Design
jay peltz wrote:
Hi Jeff,
Likewise.
Yea I think you are correct about the voltage/hz thing, but still at
least here if its not listed then?
It also looks like they only use 120/240 60 hz in the Bahamas.
My understanding from John B some years ago was that the multi
cluster boxes would work with the US version, but were not listed.
So for me my big question is this place so unique/ remote that you
could have to have only euro equipment?
peace,
jay
On Aug 9, 2011, at 10:58 AM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:
Hi Jay,
Thanks for the input! Was nice to see you at Intersolar.
WELL This is the Bahamas so it's the Canadian Code. So let's say
everything was listed - what are the other showstoppers?
>From what I know (and I risk embarrassing myself here) - the code
doesn't specify voltage or frequency - just standards and practices
- so I'm thinking it's the way neutrals and grounding are handled
that would be the issue. And even there I can imagine some work
arounds.
Help me our here . . . .
Jeff C.
jay peltz wrote:
HI Jeff,
I don't see how you could as the equipment isn't UL listed.
Then you'd have the issue of what equipment are people going to be plugging
into it, and none of that would be UL either.
I think its great stuff and would love to see it happen, but I'd also like to
know how, but if anyone can pull it off it'll be you,
Good luck,
jay
peltz power
On Aug 9, 2011, at 10:28 AM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:
Esteemed Wrenches,
Is there any possibility at all I can install a 230/400 50 Hz Sunny Island
Micro-grid in the U.S. or Canada and have it meet code? Is it the neutral and
grounding that's going to prohibitive? Or is there a way around that? Anybody
ever done it and gotten it through an inspector?
I'm working on an island mico-grid and the European standard would bring us
higher voltage - larger multi-cluster boxes from SMA (the US version only goes
to 60 KW whereas the European version goes to 300 KW) perhaps better SI support
from Germany, and access to a wider variety of energy efficienty appliances.
One can only ask!
Jeff
--
Jeff Clearwater
Village Power Design
Renewable Energy Consultant
32 Years in all Aspects of Renewables
www.villagepower.com
skype: jclearwater
413-559-9763
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options& settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules& etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Options & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
