becoming an inter-tie system [RE-wrenches]

jay peltz jay at asis.com
Thu Feb 22 17:42:47 PST 2001


Hi Drake,

Now thats amazing.  Commercial buildings don't need a GFI?  I know, I know but I
don't get that logic?  If the GFI is needed then why not commercial?  Is it because
of the EMT?

thanks,

jay

Drake Chamberlin - Electrical Energy wrote:

> Hi Jay,
>
> I agree that with high voltage systems, extra safety precautions should be
> taken.  Metal conduit would certainly be a good precaution.
>
> On a job I did for Public Service Company of Colorado several years ago,
> the 450 volt, 18 KW system was protected by EMT.  It was a commercial
> building rather than a residence, so no ground fault protection was required.
>
> Best,
>
> Drake ,
>
> At 04:47 PM 02/21/2001 -0800, you wrote:
> >Hi Drake,
> >
> >Thanks for the update.  I bet though that we will see more HI voltage systems
> >200v+ and what do you say to the GFI then?  Also with the GFI's built into
> >most of
> >the batteryless inverters its not too much of a problem.
> >
> >But for battery based, yep its a problem.    How about " if wiring is in metal
> >conduit from roof to controls then no GFI is needed?  sounds good to me?
> >
> >later,
> >
> >jay
> >peltz power
> >
> >Drake Chamberlin - Electrical Energy wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Jay,
> > >
> > > I don't know of any proposed changes to the code with respect to the array
> > > ground fault protection.  If the RE Lab can get funding, this is one of the
> > > areas that we would like to do independent research on.
> > >
> > > Best regards,
> > >
> > > Drake
> > >
> > > At 07:17 PM 02/20/2001 -0800, you wrote:
> > > >Hi Drake,
> > > >
> > > >I agree with you and so have most of the electricans that I have talked
> > > >to.  Just
> > > >doesn't seem to make electrical sense.  If it opened the circuit at
> > the array
> > > >then sure, but like you said, now you have people on the roof to check
> > > >equipment-- not good.  No the exsisting equipment doesn't work, its
> > > >expensive and
> > > >a pain.  I might point out that Both Trace and AEI have the GFI built into
> > > >their
> > > >batterless inverters, it makes it pretty easy.
> > > >
> > > >Any chance of getting it removed from the next code?  IS there any
> > > >thinking along
> > > >those lines.??
> > > >
> > > >later,
> > > >
> > > >jay
> > > >
> > > >Peltz Power
> > > >
> > > >Drake Chamberlin - Electrical Energy wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Wrenches,
> > > > >
> > > > > The new DC ground fault technology is certainly much better than
> > the old
> > > > > Pulse systems.  But I still have a major problem with it.
> > > > >
> > > > > If the device is to protect the wood framing between the solar
> > modules and
> > > > > the charge control, it needs to be mounted on the roof.  If the
> > wire were
> > > > > to become shorted (for example with a nail through a cable) the current
> > > > > would continue to circulate between the nail and the
> > array.  Heating could
> > > > > result, especially with a large array.
> > > > >
> > > > > A roof mounted ground fault device would likely pose more danger to
> > home
> > > > > owners who might climb on the roof to correct nuisance tripping than it
> > > > > would eliminate danger from fire.  I suppose a device could be
> > developed
> > > > > that would have a reset in the power room and ground fault
> > protection by
> > > > > the array.
> > > > >
> > > > > I believe that better protection could be afforded by using armored
> > cable
> > > > > or conduit to protect the circuit.
> > > > >
> > > > > Have there been any recorded fires from roof mounted arrays?  If there
> > > > > really are fire hazards from roof mounted arrays, they should be
> > addressed
> > > > > effectively.  I am skeptical about the effectiveness of the current
> > > > > technology.
> > > > >
> > > > > I also doubt that a roof mounted array is as dangerous as a 240 volt
> > > > > service drop coming from a pole, capable of delivering 10,000
> > amps.  There
> > > > > seems to be a tendency to require RE installations to be 10 times safer
> > > > > than grid connected systems.  Why is that?
> > > > >
> > > > > Drake
> > > > >
> > >
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