utility obfuscation and obstruction [RE-wrenches]

[Jeffrey Wolfe, Global Resources]

Bill,

Please provide the supplier or manufacturer name for that $30 switch. And 
is it rated load break without fuses? Haven't found one for twice that 
price that anyone around here stocks.

We use a quality switch. It's load break rated. It's got a visible break 
(You need to have the cover open to see the break on any switch. The handle 
mechanisms can fail. I spoke to an electrician this morning who actually 
had a handle mechanism fail so that it looked like it was off, but was 
not.)

We do choose our battles. The utlities are doing whatever they can to 
obstruct us here, as they are launching their own campaigns for their own 
RE projects. Am I worried about competition from Home Depot? No way. Am I 
worried about competition from the utilities? Absolutely.

Jeff

On Wednesday, May 08, 2002 1:35 AM, Bill Brooks 
[SMTP:billbrooks7 at earthlink.net] wrote:
> I'm definitely with Bob-O on this one.
>
> Most of these lineman's arms are bigger than my waist. It's just not 
worth
> the fight. Choose your battles. Even a $30 switch can often suffice. I'm 
not
> a big fan of the pullout air conditioning switches anyway. I've seen a 
few
> good ones and I've seen some that I wouldn't put on my enemy's doghouse. 
A
> gang-operated, visible-break, load-break-rated, lockable switch (able to
> handle a 3/8" utility lock shank) can be as little as $30. Why fight it 
at
> this point. I do believe the day will come when all utility linemen will
> understand the capabilities of our wonderful inverters, but until that 
day,
> just install the switch. I actually use my switch a fair amount for 
service
> reasons, and I have to admit that I trust that visible open switch a lot
> more than my circuit breaker when I'm touching wires.
>
> Many pullout switches hide the internals so the cover has to be removed 
to
> confirm the visible open anyway. Low priority fight.
>
> Bill.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection
> [mailto:econnect at snowcrest.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2002 7:35 AM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Re: utility obfuscation and obstruction [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> Jeff and All,
> My experience with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) here in CA is that
> they require a visible handle, non-fused, lockable disconnect. Since
> we're on the ac output of the inverter, that's a pretty standard 30A
> or 60A box. Even in Nema 3R, it's about $60.00 wholesale. Installed
> in most systems it adds less than $200.00 retail to the total cost of
> the system. While I agree that it is unnecessary with today's
> inverters, the only rationale I've heard expressed that makes any
> sense is that it gives a lineman 1) a visual indication of OFF and 2)
> peace of mind once they lock it out for line work.
> It's important to keep in mind that most utility lineman would NOT
> qualify for an electrician's license in most states. I'm not
> "dissing" them in any way, it's just that their work experience is
> limited by what they do. Given that, I don't have a problem with
> making their stress level just a little less. There are bigger, more
> important fights to fight.
> Bob-O
>
> >
> >"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.
> >
>
> --
> 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
>
> - - - -
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
>
> List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
>
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>
> - - - -
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
>
> List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
>
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>
>
>
> 

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

==^================================================================
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================