Back-fed Circuit Breakers [RE-wrenches]

[jay peltz]

Hi EH,

Good to hear from you.

I'm glad that you found help, but I'm sure disapointed in the outcome.

If I understand it correctly you will have UNFUSED/ and disconnectable wires
only by means of pulling the meter? Amazing.

Hoping the rest of your life goes better!!

Cheers,

jay

peltz power

EH Roy wrote:

> Wrenches,
>
> I want to thank everyone who provided input and assistance to me on this
> problem and also to share the outcome. The NFPA sided with the utility,
> agreeing that based on current code language, the AHJ (in this case the
> utility) can require a retainer kit on a service panel breaker fed by a PV
> system.
>
> Because retainer kits are not available for some older service panels, the
> plan is to install a small service rated box (with retainer kits) to accept
> the PV output. This service rated box will be split-bolt connected to the
> service entrance conductors just inside the customer's service panel. In
> order to satisfy appropriate tap rules, the service rated box will be
> mounted very close to the customer's service panel to minimize wire length
> and the largest wire size possible will be used.
>
> At the risk of incurring the wrath and distrust of some members of the
> wrench list, I want to extend special thanks to John Wiles for his help on
> this problem. Though the outcome is not what we had hoped for, John really
> went to bat for me. He first called me with advice on how I might argue the
> case with the utility. When that didn't work he called the utility
> representative on my behalf. When he wasn't able to convince the utility
> representative that the retainer kits were not required, he brought the
> issue to the NFPA. Though the NFPA supported the utility position based on
> current code language, John feels that there is a good chance of getting the
> appropriate language changed in the next round of code revisions and he will
> be working toward that. Sincere thanks, John.
>
> E. H. Roy
> Solar Works, Inc.
> 64 Main Street
> Montpelier, VT 05602
> 1-800-339-7804 ext. 306
> ehroy at solar-works.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Brooks [mailto:billbrooks7 at earthlink.net]
> Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 6:17 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: RE: Back-fed Circuit Breakers [RE-wrenches]
>
> E.H.,
>
> If this is a stand-alone system and the subpanel is on the output of the
> inverter, it is absolutely necessary since the breaker could come loose and
> arc against the busbar. If it is in a utility-interconnected situation and
> we are talking about the interconnection breaker in the utility main service
> panel, it is absolutely unnecessary since the inverter deenergizes if the
> breaker were to come loose.
>
> Bill.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: EH Roy [mailto:ehroy at solar-works.com]
> Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 1:39 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Back-fed Circuit Breakers [RE-wrenches]
>
> On grid-interactive residential PV systems, I am finding that utility
> inspectors are starting to insist on retainer kits for back-fed breakers in
> the home load centers - as required by NEC Article 384-16 Section (g).
>
> Does anyone have a good solution for older load centers and breakers (such
> as Challenger and Wadsworth) that are not manufactured anymore? I have not
> been able to find retainer kits for them and sure hope that the load center
> and breakers don't have to be replaced.
>
> Thanks for any help or ideas.
>
> E. H. Roy
> Solar Works, Inc.
> 64 Main Street
> Montpelier, VT 05663
> 1-800-339-7804 ext. 306
> ehroy at solar-works.com
>
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