Carl, Pat,
I guess I'm somewhere in between. We have /alway/s installed a
touchsafe/fused disco on the roof adjacent to the array, no matter how
many strings and dive into the attic (if there is one) from there. I
don't think I've ever put a disco in the attic, the roof seems more
accessible, visible. Why always install a disco on the roof?...just the
way I am and have been doing it long before the 2014NEC rapid shutdown
(still working with 2011 here). I like the idea of being able to stop
power from entering the house envelope. Most times this (getting into
the attic) is most sensible here due to snow, as in sliding/creeping snow.
Somewhat related: I recently got a call from a new
PV-on-the-roof installation, you know that dreaded one: " There's a leak
coming from the can light over my sink which is just below the PVs you
installed on my roof last month" I went out there that day, climbed
into the attic and after looking at all the "evidence" came up with
this: Most can lights have the insulation removed from that immediate
area so the "can" is exposed to unconditioned attic temps which around
here have been in the teens, any moisture from cooking in the kitchen
would rise, enter the can and freeze...I came down from the attic armed
with my explanation and alas, much pasta had been cooked and then
strained in the sink the prior night. By the time I had arrived the
dripping had stopped because their turning on the light that morning was
enough to melt the frost in the can and produce a few minutes of
dripping....enough dripping to call me (I must have been on their speed
dial!).
Happy New Year all,
Bill
Feather River Solar Electric
On 1/5/2016 10:47 AM, Patrick Shortell wrote:
Hi Carl,
I've moved away from this type of installation since alot of the
inspectors in this area just don't like it.
I avoid getting into "code confrontations" with them and prefer to
impress them rather than depress them.
Have you looked at article 110 regarding working clearances?
Also I've considered a cut in the insulation of a ungrounded source
circuit conductor in grounded metal conduit inside a dwelling.
Maybe i'm looking to deeply into it but I'd rather keep source circuit
conductors on the exterior of a dwelling.
It's hard to back track with the customer when he's been sold on the
conduit being hidden and then having to eventually concede to the AHJ.
Sometimes having your inspector review your installation plan before
you install builds a good solid relationship with him and avoids
costly reworking.
I'd rather be happy than right.
Just Saying
Pat
On Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 10:58 AM, Carl Adams <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Fellow Wrenches,
We recently failed an inspection on a new PV installation
We are operating under the 2008 code
I have attached a small sketch of our conduit routing to clarify
things.
Inspectors note post inspection ...provide a photovoltaic
disconnecting means per 690.14 (C)(1)
During his inspection the inspector was unhappy that we had
entered the attic space with the DC source circuits, saying we
should have run the conduit across the roof and kept it outside.
Since we entered the building we would need to add a DC disconnect
in the attic to meet code. My thought is that we fall under the
exception listed (690.31(E)) since all source circuit internal to
the dwelling are in metallic raceways. I'd like to hear other
wrenches chime in on this.
Our reason for routing things as we did was to keep the
installation aesthetics first class and minimize unsightly conduit
runs.
Code section follows
690.14 Additional Provisions. Photovoltaic disconnecting
means shall comply with 690.14(A) through (D).690.14
(C) Requirements for Disconnecting Means. Means
shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building
or other structure from the photovoltaic system conductors.
(1) Location. The photovoltaic disconnecting means shall
be installed at a readily accessible location either on the
outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point
of entrance of the system conductors.
Exception: Installations that comply with 690.31(E) shall
be permitted to have the disconnecting means located remote
from the point of entry of the system conductors.
The photovoltaic system disconnecting means shall not
be installed in bathrooms.
690.31 (E) reads as follows
(E) Direct-Current Photovoltaic Source and Output
Circuits Inside a Building. Where direct-current photovoltaic
source or output circuits of a utility-interactive inverter
from a building-integrated or other photovoltaic system are
run inside a building or structure, they shall be contained in
metal raceways, or metal enclosures, from the point of penetration
of the surface of the building or structure to the
first readily accessible disconnecting means. The disconnecting
means shall comply with 690.14(A) through (D).
With Regards
Carl Adams, President
SunRock Solar, LLC
513.290.9072 <tel:513.290.9072> (cell)
513.766.6025 <tel:513.766.6025> (office)
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--
Patrick A. Shortell
/Licensed Master Electrician/
/Certified Solar Installer/
71 Oregon Street
Long Beach N.Y. 11561
cell: 516-477-0221
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