Module grounding revisited [RE-wrenches]

Mon Nov 4 08:01:03 PST 2002

The more I hang around here the more I learn, that said, here is my .02
worth.

I agree that a metal to metal ground should be enough, if worried about it
put a star washer between the frames and the mount and that should keep as
good ground as possible and if you remove one module, it causes no problem
the rest are still grounded.

Why is it that we seem to be held to a higher standard than the rest of the
industry??

    Jay said, "Now whether they don't know the regs, or used common sense I
don't know."
I vote for common sense, we need some, because some of the regs are silly.

Bob

RE. Ellison
Supplier of;
Alternative Energy Systems & Supplies
34642 Countryman Road
Theresa, NY. USA
                               13691-2076

-----Original Message-----
From: Jay Peltz, Peltz Power [mailto:jay at asis.com]
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2002 10:33 AM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: Module grounding revisited [RE-wrenches]

My question is, why are solar panels treated any differently than any piece
of
metal equipment?

If they were treated the same, then the standard grounding rules apply.
Metal
to metal bond is enough.

And although the code may say one thing.  Most inspectors that I have talked
to,
only require a standard type metal to metal ground, ie the mount be
grounded.
Now whether they don't know the regs, or used common sense I don't know.

Thanks,

jay

Peltz power

matthew tritt wrote:

> Max, et all,
>
> The logical way to build module frames is not with aluminum, but with a
> non-metallic composite, such as carbon/fiberglass pultrusion. This is
vastly
> stronger, lighter, more weather resistant and would not require any kind
of
> grounding, as there would be no possibility of conductivity through the
> frame. The mounting structure could also use composite mounting rails for
> the same reasons. Then this whole f----ing issue would be moot.
>
> Tell me why I'm wrong Steve and Bill, you champions of the dominant
> paradigm!
>
> Matt
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Max Balchowsky" <max at seesolar.com>
> To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> Sent: Sunday, November 03, 2002 7:04 PM
> Subject: Re: Module grounding revisited [RE-wrenches]
>
> > Jerry, the AstroPower Manuel I have tells me to ground the Module frames
> to
> > the Rails and the rail ground runs back to the main panel ground. It
also
> > specifys that the grounding must be done so that if a panel is removed
> from
> > the string the others must remain grounded.(layin lug) It does say that
> the
> > lug can be mounted so that the ground wire can be accessible after
module
> is
> > mounted against the roof.(drill into module frame?????). I've always
> > wondered what module manufacturers were thinking (or were they) when
they
> > put the ground screw hole near the middle of the module.......
> >
> > Max
> >
> > SEE Systems
> > 100 S. Sunrise Wy
> > Palm Springs, Ca. 92262
> > 760-403-6810
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jerry Caldwell" <solarcowboy at yahoo.com>
> > To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> > Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2002 4:32 PM
> > Subject: Re: Module grounding revisited [RE-wrenches]
> >
> >
> > > We often ground the rack only.  Some of the ASE
> > > modules we use have a thick coat of paint on the
> > > frames, in which case we use the grounding disks
> > > provided by ASE to ground the individual modules.
> > >
> > > Astropower includes Professional Solar Products
> > > aluminum mounting rails in thier packaged kits and the
> > > Astropower installation manual says that only
> > > grounding the rails is necessary.  I'm not sure, but
> > > they might even have gotten the assembly listed as
> > > such.
> > >
> > > Jerry Caldwell
> > > Light Energy Systems
> > >
> > > ,
> > > > wrmiller at slonet.org writes:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Therefore, if one grounds a rack frame, the
> > > > modules being "secured to and
> > > > > in electrical contact with" the racks renders the
> > > > module frames
> > > > > "effectively grounded".
> > > > >
> > > > > Comments?
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > William,  My own on going test - experiment has been
> > > > to rely on the frames
> > > > getting grounded by the rack. I too think the
> > > > individual ground wire strung
> > > > panel to panel is stupid and a waste of time.
> > > > Supporting this hypothesis is
> > > > 100% ground continuity to every module frame and the
> > > > main rack. I have tested
> > > > every installation for ground over many years and
> > > > never had an ungrounded
> > > > frame. And I have gone back to old jobs and checked
> > > > years later. Still good
> > > > continuity.
> > > >
> > > > I think the language you found clearly gives the
> > > > option to ground the rack.
> > > >
> > > > Don
> > >
> > >
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