Re: [RE-wrenches] AL wire with DC

I think some of the advantage of the Cu in a bad connection is that it dissipates heat better. That might explain the melting Al, but not the Cu. Cu will melt and cook the insulation if the connection is loose enough at high enough amperage. Again, I have not personally seen a problem with Al on

Re: [RE-wrenches] AL wire with DC

check out NEC 110.14Dan BrownFoxfire Energy Corp.Renewable Energy Systems(802)-483-2564www.Foxfire-Energy.comNABCEP #092907-44 Original Message Subject: [RE-wrenches] AL wire with DC From: "Dana" Date: Fri, July 23, 2010 6:54 pm To: "'RE-wrenches'"

[RE-wrenches] AL wire with DC

I cannot speak for what if. I have seen CU & AL bolted in AL mechanical butt splices where someone did not torque it to spec. and it went to arcing. Both were a mess ; The butt splice was pitted / damaged and needed replacement, the AL cable melted and the copper cable did not. It the same amperag

Re: [RE-wrenches] AL wire with DC

I'm with Dick on this one... Sure, I've seen a few good oopsies involving aluminum, (where the J box does the Salvador Dali thing)... but they're usually installed by "Uncle Larry" types... as long as the install is code compliant (Listed and properly installed), I don't think it maters much. dbDan

Re: [RE-wrenches] AL wire with DC

OG - Off Grid Thanks, Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc E - d...@solarwork.com V - 970.626.5253 F - 970.626.4140 C - 970.209.4076 web - www.solarwork.com "Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988" -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [ma

Re: [RE-wrenches] AL wire with DC

Dana, Thanks for the input. Excuse me please, "OG jobs" are? If the wire had been copper and didn't melt, but instead continued to arc, would the resultant heat have eventually started a fire? What type of splice was it? Does no one else use Al for DC? Here in rocky Vermont/NH, we use the same

Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Coupling to an Endurance wind machine

Was Return Amps Thanks Roy I usually leap then look, The customer has it already,   I ran it yesterday, on AC couple into the standalone system, I learned a lot.  But it ran, and I am working out some of the surprises I had.  I am building up two inverter boards with the systems to control the

[RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

I've been looking hard to see what manufacturers produce this kinda elusive #10 THHN/THWN-2 wire. United Copper Industries (Texas) does. I have a handy spec sheet from them that I can email anyone who's interested. marco ___ List sponsored by Home Po

Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

Dual rated thhn / thwn complies. And every reel I've ever bought is dual rated. I've never seen single-rated thhn. Kirk Herander Vermont Solar Engineering 802.863.1202 NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar Installer NYSERDA-eligible Installer VT Solar Incentive Program Partner -Original Message- Fr

Re: [RE-wrenches] RETURN AMP SETTING

Darryl, You are probably aware of this but the Endurance machines are 240 VAC induction machines. I had asked about their policy on AC coupling their turbines for off grid use and they were less than enthusiastic. You might want to touch base with Endur

Re: [RE-wrenches] RETURN AMP SETTING

James – Thank-you! this is a good start and then monitoring the SG after a rest period w/o loads should help determine the time and SOC. Off to the lab again Igor, we have tests to run. Thanks, Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc E - d...@solarwork.com V - 970.626.5253 F - 970.626.41

Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

Peter, There was a change in the 2008 NEC (I know - CA is just getting to this Code cycle) that won't allow THHN inside conduit when the conduit is installed in wet locations, 300.9 (300.5 for underground): 300.9 Raceways in Wet Locations Above Grade. Where raceways are installed in wet locations

Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

Just a minor point: the dash-two appendage brings a wet-rated wire from 75 deg C to 90 deg C. If you are not in a locale that argues for wet-rated wire and your specific application does not argue for wet-rated wire, IMHO it is perfectly acceptable to use THHN wire (90 deg C rated for damp enviro

[RE-wrenches] AL wire with DC

The problem with Al is that, IF there is ever a loose connection, & associated arcing, that it melts not like copper in the same situation which may arc but not melt. I have come in on OG jobs where Al was employed and found J boxes that were [sometimes wet] and had loose connections and the splic

Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

Mick, -2 means 90 degrees C rather than 75. THWN-2 thus means that it is wet-rated at 90C.  That is generally considered Code for arrays, such as if it is run in NM flex conduit to a traditional module j-box. The j-box area may be considered to be able to get hot enough

Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

The dash-two, as an appendage to THWN indicates that the wire, normally rated for dry and wet locations and 75 deg C, is now rated dry/wet up to 90 deg C. - Peter Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President California Solar Engineering, Inc. 820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065 CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP

Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

Mick, THWN-2 is 90°C rated per Table 310.16. This is key for conductors in conduit on a roof. On a roof in full sun ambient temperatures are such that a 75°C rated conductor will have a severely diminished allowable ampacity, if any allowable ampacity. Jollily, David On 7/23/10 11:52 AM, "Mick

Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

-2 indicates that the insulation is rated for "hot & wet"; that is that it is rated for 90C and wet conditions. See NEC Table 310.13(A). We also use Encore Wire. The sticker on the spool has THHN in big print, but then in small print below it says "Type MTW or THHN or THWN-2". The insulati

Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

I'm sorry to broadcast my ignorance, but: Could someone explain to me the significance of the -2 marking? Reply off-list if you wish to save bandwidth...but other List members may also be wondering... Thanks, Mick Abraham, Proprietor www.abrahamsolar.com Voice: 970-731-4675 On Fri, Jul 23, 20

Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

I have specified THWN-2 for years, but occasionally will not be able to source it! Sent from my iPhone On Jul 23, 2010, at 11:37 AM, "Peter Parrish" wrote: > We went through a similar problem with some beach communities here in SoCal. > Because of the high humidity (all winter and summer mor

[RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

We went through a similar problem with some beach communities here in SoCal. Because of the high humidity (all winter and summer mornings) they wanted THWN-2 for all conduit runs (as well as PVC instead of EMT). At first we were charged a premium for THWN-2 compared to THHN. But then we found a sou

Re: [RE-wrenches] calculating DC voltage drop

I try to keep it in copper for DC, as I had always heard of trouble with Aluminum on DC. (True or Old Wrenches Tale?) We definitely go to Al on long AC runs, as its whats available, and the cost difference becomes remarkable. I've seen small cuts in Al, later corrode completely through the conduc

Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2

I found similar to Phil, but all the wire had thwn-2 on the spool label but not on the wire.  Execpt for pink it did not have thwn-2 on the spool lable.    Darryl --- On Fri, 7/23/10, Phil Undercuffler wrote: From: Phil Undercuffler Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] #10 THWN-2 To: "RE-wrenches"

Re: [RE-wrenches] calculating DC voltage drop

All, For longer, underground, array to inverter/charge controller runs, are folks using aluminum or copper? Last time I compared prices, for the same ampacity, Al was 1/3 the cost of Cu. Dick Ratico Solarwind Electric --- You wrote: Hi Dana; I'd say that's a bit overkill for today's market. Tha

Re: [RE-wrenches] RETURN AMP SETTING

Hi Dana, Sorry for the delay - been on the road. Not sure if this has already been presented / discussed. The old standby from industrial chargers, is 100% SOC is reached when charge current drops to 2% of capacity (normaly based on 6 or 8 hr rate). Please note, this comes from an era of con

Re: [RE-wrenches] Propane Generator, Dual Outback Inverters

William, It's my understanding the SMA Sunny Island inverters do this as well. Dick Ratico Solarwind Electric --- You wrote: Darryl: There is a scenario in which problems occur: If your loads exceed the generator capacity, the Outback system will fail. The Xantrex inverters are superior in