Re: [RE-wrenches] Lightning protection system

Hi Drake, Dont know why not. Meet code as much as possible: 1) AWG of the lightning down conductor adequate? 2) Use non reversible, listed connector to splice array SGEC to down conductor 3) Do you need an additional ground rod? Resistance to earth OK? 4) These rod/rods need to be bonded to t

Re: [RE-wrenches] Chimneys Rigid vs EMT

Hi Peter, I have installed a lot of RMC. You may have also. It is my opinion that a well secured run of this conduit, installed in this manner, could take the hit you describe and still protect the enclosed conductors. --- You wrote: (2) They also disallow a rigid conduit run anywhere on the e

Re: [RE-wrenches] batteries

I'm coming out of my third wet coast winter with a set of 48 Vdc 750 amp hour Surrette batteries. I'd recommend them unhesitatingly. Regards, Ezra Auerbach DragonSun Consulting On 5-Mar-09, at 11:00 PM, t...@hughes.net wrote: Surrette has a new 2 volt "L 16" size,1100 Ahr @20 hour rate bat

Re: [RE-wrenches] Chimneys Rigid vs EMT

Daryl, The Romex is a pretty clear violation of 690.31. This and the Pasadena fiasco that Peter Parish speaks of illustrates a very common problem that we all have. When it comes to photovoltaics, most AHJs don't know their Athority from a hole in the ground. Bob-O On Mar 6, 2009, at 1

Re: [RE-wrenches] Solec module needed

Hi Allan, There are a few listings for the SM55 on eBay right now. Dick Dick Ratico Solarwind Electric Bradford, VT --- You wrote: Any old 50W Solec modules laying around? I need one to replace one that has failed on a tracker. 13" X 51", 1998 era. An Arco or Siemens M55 would probably work ou

Re: [RE-wrenches] AC disconnect options

Andrew I use the CH disconnect at the inverter as a maintenance disconnect but only if the main utility disconnect is not close by. I consider it $14 well spent. The switch is replaceable with a 2P breaker so it may serve another purpose there. The only drawback is that there's not much room fo

Re: [RE-wrenches] Chimneys Rigid vs EMT

no I have not, however I have seen where an AHJ has allowed romex from the array down to the inverter in the basement through the house, the array wire to a 3r disconnect on the roof and plastic from the disco to the building entrance in the attic. No metal conduit from the array to the inverte

Re: [RE-wrenches] Chimneys Rigid vs EMT

Peter: Newport Beach, CA. They backed away from the AC run in rigid however. It was either rigid OR a remote DC disco, operable from the ground at the main service entrance, that would cut off all power to runs at the array. No chimney issues as of today, at 11:24 AM PST, March 6, 2009.

[RE-wrenches] Chimneys Rigid vs EMT

We have an interesting situation in the enclave of Pasadena, CA. (1) The Pasadena Building and Safety Department is requiring the use of rigid conduit (only) on any DC and AC runs for grid-tied PV systems. They specifically prohibit EMT, LFNC and LFMC. This requirement applies to any DC or AC run

[RE-wrenches] Solec module needed

Any old 50W Solec modules laying around? I need one to replace one that has failed on a tracker. 13" X 51", 1998 era. An Arco or Siemens M55 would probably work out too. Thanks, Allan Sindelar allan(at)positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified Solar PV Install

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lightning protection system

I'll have to agree with Darryl Thayer. All of the master electricians we work with in Northern New England, a lightning prone area, combine the system equipment grounding with any special lightning grounding that may be on the building. I agree with Joel on the clause in the contract excluding act

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lightning protection system

Drake, Most electricians like to keep the electrical ground and the lightning ground separate which is probably a good idea, but lightning current is likely to follow all paths because earth is common. The best practice is to follow the Code and if the site is in a lightning area, subcontract

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lightning protection system

Yes the electric power and atmospheric grounding systems should be connected together to serve as a larger better grounding system. The Electrical code requires that at only one point does the neutral (grounded) conductor of the electrical power system get connected to the grounding system, th

Re: [RE-wrenches] PV maintenance costs

Hello Phil, Most people figure on $0.005/W, but I have not seen it actually go that high unless the project has a lot of inverter problems or needs array cleaning more than once a year (assuming the system was designed and installed properly). On residential PV systems without batteries up to

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lightning protection system

I didn't get a reply to the question about connecting the GEC to the lightning protection system on the 8 story building. Although this may seem like an intrinsically dangerous idea, a lightning protection system is required to be bonded to the building grounding electrode system. "250.106 Li

[RE-wrenches] PV maintenance costs

I am preparing a presentation comparing PV and small wind systems. I am interested to know what you all use for a 25-year O&M cost of a PV system (25 kW max). Thanks! P. Phil Schneider Creative Energies ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine Lis