Aluminum wire got its bad name during the era when it was use in 15
and 20 amp circuits, with #12 and #10 wire. That stuff is a
nightmare. As an electrician that has cleaned up some of the messes,
I can supply ample horror stories.
#2 and larger sizes of AL work fine. It is important to use
Wrenches,
The issue of UL Listed meters is becoming a frequent problem for RE
integrators. I ditto what Hans said about not finding a listing.
What I've seen so far is that Socket based meters are generally NOT listed
by the mfrs since the primary users are utilities and, therefore, listing is
no
I have used AL wire in DC circuits for 30 years and have never had a problem.
If you carefully follow the protocols for working with AL you should have the
same experience. As pointed out the cost difference can be staggering. I'm
designing an o-t-g 3kW PV system now that has this array 1300' fr
I tend to side with Peter on this and can recall the days when folks would not
buy a German or Japanese product either, now both are respected for quality and
politics are put aside. I have used both Trina and Yingli. Both have performed
well out of the box. My most recent install was with Trina
I scanned the UL White Book and did not find a category listing for bolt-in
or plug-in type watt-hour meters. There are several categories for the meter
sockets. If UL hasn't taken it on, I can't imagine that anyone has paid any
other NRTL to evaluate equipment that typically doesn't require a list
Peter.SMA makes a SB 4000US with a CL (current limited) marking.you
would need to order this specifically. They limit the max continuous output
to16A (16*1.25 =20) instad of 16.66 so that after adding your 1.25
multiplier you can still use a 20A breaker in a 100 amp panel and you are
then
Peter,
You can address the inspector's first complaint by pointing to the new
language (NEC 2008) in 690.64(B)(2):
"In systems with panelboards connected in series, the rating of the first
overcurrent protection device directly connected to the output of a
utility-interactive inverter(s) shall b
We occasionally run into a dual headache: a congested AND underpowered
service panel.
Case in point a 100A Zinsco main panel with no room for a two pole breaker
for inverter back feed.
Normally we pull two 20A/120V branch circuits out of the main panel into a
subpanel, back feed the subpanel with
Props to Charlie for stating these issues clearly & fairly. There are too
many new manu's for me to sort through so I typically delete/spamreport all
offers from unknown/chinese sources. That's the "knee jerk reaction" that
Charlie mentions, but it's only partly due to anti-communism. It's also due
Wrenches:
Like it or not, there is a huge volume of PV modules manufactured (in part or
completely) in China. And we're seeing U.S. producers moving operations there,
too. If we can put aside some of the knee-jerk reactions to the idea of Chinese
manufacturing and face the fact that it's a majo
The only way for Outback gear to measure return amps is to incorporate
an FNDC in the installation.
Otherwise then yes you are correct.
Steve Higgins.
Sr Application Engineering Mgr
Sub-Saharan Africa Business Dev Mgr.
Outback Power Systems.
19009 62nd Ave Ne
Arlington Wa 98
Steve,
Just to make sure I am not missing something, there is no way to directly
set Outback equipment for a particular return amp rate. Rather one must
observe the charge cycle and set the absorption timer accordingly.
Do have that right?
Thanks,
Mark Frye
Berkeley Solar Electric Systems
Hi All,
I got a request to make my voltage drop excel templates available in both
the new and old excel formats. I also changed the calculator so you can
input your own Imp multiplier (if desired). Here they are:
Excel 97-2003 version:
http://www.mechanicalmike.com/solar/DC_Voltage_Drop_C
I don't think most of the breakers and wire ends we use (or at least I) are
rated for Al use. I don't use Al at all and try to have as few splices as
possible. Each splice is a potential problem and with Al a failure in the
insulation can result in the wire just corroding away if it's buried. I
don
Sorry all… I was out on a little three day vacation.
I usually program return amps setting to usually 2-3% of the overall battery
bank capacity.
Usually and depending on the battery type or manufacure when the current
passing from the charger to the battery drops to this Return amp sett
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