utility obfuscation and obstruction [RE-wrenches]

Jeffrey Wolfe, Global Resources global at sover.net
Mon May 6 19:59:11 PDT 2002


Lawrence,

You're absolutely right. There is NO valid technical reason for the 
disconnect. IEEE 929 proved that once and for all (Utilities or states are 
"allowed" to adopt the requirement for a disco if "required" for labor or 
administrative reasons. There are NO technical reasons provided in IEEE 929 
for the disco.)

Question for EVERYONE:

Who knows of a net metering system where the utility has USED the 
disconnect?

Anyone?

There is no evidence of any disconnect ever having been used in VT.

I'd like to know as much detail about any incident if one was disconnected 
by the utility.

Jeff

On Monday, May 06, 2002 10:42 PM, Lawrence  Elliott 
[SMTP:larry at energyoutfitters.com] wrote:
> Jeffrey.
> Thought you might find it interesting that just a few hours ago I was
> able to ask one of the officials from a local Muni utility and he said
> point blank that no disconnect of any kind on a grid intertie system is
> required in their service territory.
> This either means that the utility is very irresponsible and has no
> regard for the saftey of their service personel or this requirement by
> any utility is simply a silly and essentially brain dead attempt at
> making you life diffucult.
> Personally I don't think this utility disregards safety.
>
> I say challenge this crap with a vigor.
>
> Larry Elliott
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jeffrey Wolfe, Global Resources" <global at sover.net>
> To: "'RE- wrenches at topica.com'" <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 7:20 PM
> Subject: utility obfuscation and obstruction [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> > Just received a letter today from our local big utility wannabe.
> Central
> > Vermont "Public Service" is Vermont's largest utility, but tiny on a
> > national scale. But they try to be lke the big guys, and aparently
> take
> > their cues from the folks at NIMO.
> >
> > I've installed quite a few systems in their territory, and for the
> past two
> > years, I've used the Milbank airconditioning type disconnect as the
> > "utility accessible, locakable, load break rated, visible break
> disconnect
> > switch..." required in the Vermont (and many other) state net metering
> > regulations.
> >
> > today, I received a letter from CVPS as follows:
> >
> > "Dear Mr. Wolfe:
> >
> > "It has come to my attention that your Company has installed Milbank
> air
> > conditioning disconnects in lieu of the required disconnect switch on
> at
> > least three Net Metered customers.
> >
> > "This device is a disconnect NOT a switch. It does not meet the
> > requirements of VT PSB Rule 5.100 " A utility accessible, locakable,
> load
> > break rated, visible break disconnect switch with safe working
> clearances
> > is required for all installations.
> >
> > "We are hereby requesting that the locations in question be
> retro-fitted
> > with the correct type of switch as soon as possible.
> >
> > "If you have any questions, please contact me.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> >
> > Allan D. St. Peter, P.E.
> > Electrical Engineer
> >
> > Is this utility trying to block RE? or just being safety conscious?
> The
> > little Milbank disconnects have been recommended for this service by,
> among
> > others, John Wiles. (I spoke with him today, and received a few
> pointers
> > for combating this, which I will do.) I'm not sure how quibbling about
> the
> > definition of a "swtich" is really helping RE move forward. It's
> > interesting to note of course, that no code or standard, to my
> knowledge,
> > has a clear definition of what a "visible break disconnect switch" is.
> > According to everything I can read in NEC, the Milbank fits the
> > description. (As John pointed out, one cannot safely trust the handle
> of a
> > safety switch to indicate the open or closed position. The mechanism
> CAN
> > break. One must see the contacts, which requires opening the safety
> > switch.)
> >
> > So I've just written notes to the homeowners (who were copied by CVPS
> on
> > the above letter) reassuring them that their installation is safe and
> code
> > compliant.
> >
> > We'll fight this. It will be interesting to see if CVPS attempts to
> > disconnect the customers' systems. They'd either have to pull the
> meter,
> > or, shudder, use the Milbank switch.
> >
> > I'll let you know how we make out. Any contributions to the defense
> fund
> > should be kept cold and presented at the MREF.
> >
> > Jeff
> >
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>
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