I feel for you, man. I think you will be able to argue this one with 690.14(B) like Ryan says.
I agree that combine box accessibility is a danger to public safety. Back in the "old days" when I was working on my first systems in the Caribbean, there were lots of unfused "combiners" made out of terminal blocks completely exposed. I fried my share of lizards. Anyway, with the right boxes and the required warning labels, the risk is lower, but the safety issue could still help with your argument. Are the DC Disconnects and AC Disconnects "readily accessible" on a microinverter system on the roof under an array of modules? That's where they (the connectors) are, after all. Let us know how this turns out... Jason Szumlanski Fafco Solar -----Original Message----- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Mayfield Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 3:41 PM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Code reviewer issue with array disconnect location Jeff, Try pointing them to 690.14(B). This allows for PV source circuit isolating switches on the PV side of the disconnecting means. As you describe it, the dc disconnect at the inverter is the required PV disconnecting means and you can describe the combiner disconnects as source circuit isolating switches. This paragraph doesn't make mention of accessibility. Good luck, Ryan -----Original Message----- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Yago Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 11:57 AM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Code reviewer issue with array disconenct location Here's another one of those reviewers that do not know what they are reviewing and just cause added hours of lost time. Large 112 kW array mounted on top of structural steel beams above multi-story parking deck. Beams straddle center up and down ramps so no parking spaces are lost. Multiple rows of modules and require ladders to access. Budget reviewer deleted my design of grated walkways behind each row, so you must use tie offs to work on any part of system. Each row includes a fused combiner box at center line, with individual conduit from each grouped down centerline on high mounting then down to inverter located outside on top deck. Inverter includes both AC and DC disconnects which are readable accessible. Other AC disconnects included in electric room and outside at meter. Due to long runs from each array row back down to inverter, I specified the fused combiner boxes to include a DC disconnect option located in the cover (memory of Target Store conduit fire!) which not only allows disconnecting any single row without shutting down entire system, but also useful for testing and service. Reviewer demands this "disconnect" meet code requirement that a "disconnect" must be readable accessible. I have told them we cannot separate this disconnect from the combiner box and will not relocate these high voltage combiner boxes down at eye level on a raised parking deck where any student could gain access, so if they make an issue of this we will use a different combiner box that does not have this option (and also loose added protection of conduit runs between combiners and inverter). However, I would like to refer to code and I see no mention of a combiner box as required by code so there is no reference to it having a disconnect. Suggestions? Jeff Yago DTI Solar Inc. _______________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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
