Hi Mark, There have been some recent threads on this list touching on this topic.
As far as I understand, Enphase microinvertes still require a GEC up to and including the 2011 NEC. I don't know about the 2014 NEC. Enphase bonds the positive DC module conductor to ground. Pages 16 and 17 of their M215 installation manual address grounding: http://enphase.com/wp-uploads/enphase.com/2011/06/Enphase_M215_Installatio nOperation_Manual.pdf Products such as Solar Bridge that are listed as Alternating Current (AC) Modules (per NEC 690.2) don't need a Grounding Electrode Conductor (GEC) as long as there are no conductors connected to ground within the product. Solar Bridge has a good article on this: http://solarbridgetech.com/microinverters-and-ac-pv-modules-are-different/ This all takes us back to using Enphase with grounding washers like WEEBs for the GEC. According to what I read in their instructions (and after many phone calls), it sounds like they are okay with us running the GEC on the racking in #6 and then bonding the microinverters to the rack with WEEBs. Seems a little strange but it's been working for us. Good topic! Best, August 415.559.1525 -----Original Message----- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Mark Frye Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 3:31 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] GEC for Micro-Inverters and ACPV Modules Does anyone have the latest on the GEC for micro-inverters/ACPV issue? I know it is still in NEC 2008 and I believe 2011 with plans to address it in 2014. I am specifically interested in the issue of GEC means continues (irreversible splices) and the whole business of the DC side of these devices constituting a separately derived system. Enphase technical support is fine if the micro inverter chasis is bonded to a EGC only, but they leave the lug on the chasis if you want/need to build a GEC. SolarBridge (pre-assembled micro-inverter) seems to be devoid of a chasis lug and therefore by extension does not/can not had a GEC in the system. Exeltech (integrated micro-inverter aka. ACPV) does not seem to have a lug on its chasis. Has the industry pretty much moved to not requiring a GEC for these devices and if so, how are the AHJ taking it? Thanks, Mark Frye Berkeley Solar Electric Systems _______________________________________________ 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
