Gray Flex [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

Whoa. The gray flex issue is not worth a Wrench family feud.
I think we agree that THWN is acceptable for module interconnects.
Can anyone recommend another in-conduit wire that we can agree on?
What specific flexible conduit and connectors are acceptable?
What Suppliers?
What Part Numbers?

Bill Brooks wrote:

> Jay,
>
> Are you suggesting that the National Electrical Code is not exhibiting
> common sense? I am not going to go into detail to defend it, but this is not
> a solar-specific issue. I do measure back-of-module and junction box
> temperatures on my solar modules and see high temperatures of 70C on the
> back-of module and 65C in the junction box. My array is an open rack
> installation. On a roof, those numbers could easily be 10C hotter.
>
> As far as wet and 60C, that is a piece of cake. If you have not witnessed
> conduits filled with water in array installations, than you have not seen
> enough real world applications. Regardless, the code requires that all
> outdoor conduit and wiring must be wet rated and the wet rated numbers must
> be used. If you want to employ an electrical engineer and make a case to use
> something else, have at it.
>
> Why are we arguing about this. The code happens to be fairly clear on this
> and the stuff is available at a good electric supply house (not Home
> Despot). I can imagine that Bob-O has not seen the temperatures that we see
> routinely in the Central Valley of California, but I have real data to back
> up my position.
>
> What is amazing to me is the number of poorly performing PV systems in
> California. Many of the deficiencies are due to lack of design experience
> and the poor quality of installation. I will not name names or get personal,
> but our whole industry needs to pick up a few notches if we are going to
> remain credible in public's eye. We should all be striving to make our
> installations conform to the code regardless of our personal opinions about
> whether we think we know more than the code developers or not. There is a
> forum to deal with code issues and you should take it up with them.
>
> Practical, real world, real data, and common sense tells us to use 80C
> wet-rated flexible conduit. SMUD has dozens of systems where the cheap 60C
> conduit is falling apart on the roof. Don't believe me, get in a vehicle and
> drive around Sacramento for a few days.
>
> Let's choose our battles wisely with our local authorities. If they are okay
> with you using 60C flex, go ahead and take the risk if you like. Please
> don't pick a fight with them if they call you on it, however--I think they
> are right.
>
> Bill.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: jay peltz [mailto:jay at asis.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 8:43 AM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Re: Gray Flex [RE-wrenches]
>
> Hi Bob-O,
>
> Its amazing to see such lack of real data and  a lack of common sense being
> applied to real world situations.
>
> 60C and WET  isn't going to be found in nature, maybe in an industrial
> situation
> though. ( OK so you guys doing work around volcanos better get the hi temp
> stuff).
>
> And what about the flex on a black flat roof in So Cal ( where you can
> really fry
> and egg), I'd say thats just a bit above the 56C you measured.
>
> And so what happens??  Does this product melt when it gets wet?  What is the
> concern here with the wet?  You are using ( right!) wet rated wire inside
> the
> conduit??
>
> When I cornered John Wiles on this and I pushed him hard, he responded with
> well
> the flex will pull out of the fittings at high temps so we can't use it.
>
> So lets put a sticker that says " NOT A HAND HOLD"  that ought to take care
> of
> it!!
>
> common sense rules!!
>
> jay
>
> peltz power
>
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