Carflex revisited [RE-wrenches]

[Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection]

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Bill, etal.
To me, it boils down to common sense. I KNOW the standard party line 
of those wanting to make PV as expensive as possible by holding it to 
a higher standard than other wiring is that the 80C/60C rating of 
Carflex (and all the others, not to pick one one manufacturer) is 
that if the conduit is used in a wet location it has to rate out at 
the lower number EVEN under dry conditions. I ask you, does that make 
any logical sense at ALL? No. If it's dry, it's dry. If it's wet, 
it's wet. If it is warmer than 60C while wet, it's being used in a 
steam room and is not suitable. If hotter than 80C while dry-again 
not suitable. These are not the usually conditions found in the shade 
behind a PV module.
Do you REALLY think the spirit of the NEC meant anything different 
that that? I don't think so and any inspectors who do think so have 
VERY likely been influenced by the Code Fundamentalists who believe 
(and publish) that the strictest interpretation of the WORD of the 
NEC, not the spirit and meaning of the good book, is paramount. I 
refuse to believe that the NFPA is that ignorant.
Bob-O


>Pat and other flexible wrenches,
>
>Thanks for the info. I believe if you look at the Heyco-Flex II it should
>have a backwards "UR" which stands for UL-recognized. This means that
>Solarex can install it in a UL-list package, but many inspectors may not
>allow it in a field installed situation. That is the same issue with the
>Corrflex that I presented in my email.
>
>Ambient temperature for wiring or conduit is the highest temperature it will
>see in the application. On the back of a module connected to a junction box
>on  a roof-mounted (stand-off) installation, the conduit will get about 30
>degrees  C hotter than the outdoor temperature. If you have days that get to
>40 degrees C (just over 100F) you will see 70C temperatures on your flex.
>This is not referring to back of module temperature which is typically 5C
>hotter.
>
>You can see that 60C is clearly not hot enough. I spoke with a rep today
>that was in touch with the engineers at Electriflex (makers of Liquatight)
>and he said that they make an "All-Temperature Liquatight" ATLA that is 105C
>dry rated but the UL does not have a listing category any more for 80C.
>Sounds like we need to connect with UL and get them on board with this
>issue. Let's hear back from Bob-O now.
>
>Bill.
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Pat Kiernan, Eco Electric, Inc. [mailto:ecoelec at rof.net]
> > Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 7:14 PM
> > To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> > Subject: RE: Carflex revisited [RE-wrenches]
> >
> >
> > Wrenches,
> >
> > From my posting of 4/23/01...
> > I have used Carlon Carflex for years with no problems. In the Colorado
> > mountains we do not see the hot days that would drive back of module to 75
> > C. Recently tried Heyco Heyco-Flex II on a few projects. It has a
> > temperature rating of 70 C (no wet/dry distinction in the catalog). It is
> > more flexible than the Carflex so hopefully will reduce strain on
> > the j-box.
> > Standard color is black. Somewhat more expensive than Carflex.
> >
> > I neglected to mention in April that the Solarex MSX-120 comes from the
> > factory with Heyco-Flex II connecting the two module j-boxes (one for each
> > 60 watt section). Since the MSX-120 is UL approved, I assume that
> > this flex
> > is suitable for module wiring.
> >
> > I would like to  see some clarification between  module back surface
> > temperature and the flex conduit ambient temperature in this application.
> > Bill Brooks, others ... any info?

Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection
PO Box 203, Hornbrook, CA 96044
800.945.7587 or 530.475.3402
fax 530-475-3401
www.electronconnection.com

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