Hi:
Prior to my current role in training I was working in product development.
Regarding minimum mounting clearances, inverter manufacturers are
required to test their equipment so that no component inside goes above
its rated temperature during normal operation at a specified ambient
temperature. At temperatures above that the unit must behave in ways
which maintains the internal temperatures of all components within their
spec, (typically the inverter derates).
The test for what gets published is done in a set-up where there are walls
on both sides, top and bottom, but the very front surface of the enclosure
is left open at a distance of 36" as shown in the diagram below.
As a rule of thumb when comparing inverter specs, looking at the minimum
clearances and specified normal ambient temperature will give you a good
indication of how well the unit dissipates heat. If the manufacturer
specifies very tight clearances at a higher ambient temp, then you know
that the device is able to dissipate heat well and will in fact run cooler
if given more room to breathe.
As inverter manufacturers we don't, (and really cant), stay abreast of all
the installation codes which apply in the US and throughout the rest of
the world. What we do is to try to make sure the our bottom clearance
minimum is less than what is allowed in the codes.
JARMO
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Jarmo Venalainen | Schneider Electric | Solar Business | CANADA |
Training & Development Specialist - Senior
Phone: +604-422-2528 | Fax: +604-420-1591 | Mobile: +604-505-0291
Email: jarmo.venalai...@schneider-electric.com | Site: www.SEsolar.com
| Address: 3700 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC V5G4M1
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From:
Dave Click <davecl...@fsec.ucf.edu>
To:
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org,
Date:
10/23/2014 09:45 AM
Subject:
Re: [RE-wrenches] Mounting height
Sent by:
"RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>
I believe that I was told in a 2005-ish Xantrex GT training that their
minimum clearance (~30") requirement came from the need to be above lawn
sprinklers. I can't remember offhand seeing this reason given in any
recent manual, so any bottom clearances required in the manual may apply
to you even if you're inside.
On 2014/10/23 0:59, frenergy wrote:
Bob-O, Peter, Garrison,
I appreciate the responses, will proceed accordingly. I have seen
some references to minimum distance to floor in some manuals. Thank you,
Bill
Feather River Solar Electric
----- Original Message -----
From: Garrison Riegel
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 11:11 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Mounting height
Bill,
See 2011 NEC 690.14(D) or 2014 NEC 690.15(A) Utility-Interactive Inverters
Mounted in Not Readily Accessible Locations. Basically there is no
maximum height restriction for inverters but there are a number of
requirements for AC and DC disconnecting means. See NEC 404.8 for maximum
disconnect height of 6’ 7”…although exception No. 2 may allow the
disconnect to be accessible by portable means. I don’t know of any
minimum height requirements in the code, although most (all?) string and
microinverter manufacturers specify a required clearance below the
inverter. I suppose that would be the minimum.
Garrison
Garrison Riegel
Project Manager | Solar Service Inc
[p] 847-677-0950 | garri...@solarserviceinc.com
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On
Behalf Of frenergy
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2014 11:02 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Mounting height
Wrenches,
I can't seem to find a reference to the heights allowable for
inverter installs, either minimum or maximum (need both). For that
matter, AC combiners, DC discos, any switchgear related to the
inverter(s).
Any help appreciated.
Bill
Feather River Solar Electric
solar powered since 1982
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