Carflex revisited [RE-wrenches]

[Bill Brooks]

Joel,

Have a nice juicy slice of tomahto.

There may be many who object to exposed wire in the array, but it is allowed
in the code. Even the Chicago inspectors, who require everything in conduit
have been softening on their position about requiring conduit in arrays.

As I have pointed out on several occasions, not all PV modules are
conduit-ready. Meaning, you may be creating a much worse hazard by
connecting conduit since the junction box could pop off the back of the
module. Very few people check on the rating of the junction box before
connecting flex.

I believe USE-2 or Tray Cable is superior and can be used on any module with
a junction box. If we don't get jurisdictions used to seeing this stuff, it
is going to be difficult for Astropower, ASE, and others to deploy their
plug-in module products--an important part of lower cost PV systems.

Bill.

-----Original Message-----
From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joeldavidson at earthlink.net]
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 5:39 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: Carflex revisited [RE-wrenches]


We've wandered far afield (and into some swampy areas) since my original
question
about what is better,
faster, cheaper than gray flex for PV module interconnects and short
sub-panel whips.
You ask why use conduit? Commercial, industrial, institutional and utility
customers
often require wire in conduit. Gray flex is fast and acceptable to almost
all
inspectors. Many customers, inspectors and installers object to exposed wire
even
when used with weatherseals and tiedowns. I say toe-may-toe and you say
toe-mah-toe...let's call the whole thing off.

David Blittersdorf wrote:

> On 25 May 01, at 14:13, Bill Brooks wrote:
> > All this emotion over flexible conduit. I still believe Tray Cable or
USE-2 is
> > cheaper and better. Why is everyone so intent on using conduit in the
> array?
>
> I agree with Bill that Tray Cable works great. It is fast to put together
and can
> be installed with low cost weatherseals on the jct. boxes. Conduit seems
> like an expensive (labor and material) way to go.
>
> Regards,
>
> David Blittersdorf
> NRG Systems, Inc.
> 110 Commerce Street
> Hinesburg, VT 05461 USA
> Tel: 802-482-2255
> Fax: 802-482-2272
> email: davidb at nrgsystems.com
> Web:http://www.nrgsystems.com
>
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