Rooftop wiring [RE-wrenches]

[douglas bath]

The worst module wiring I've seen lately was Romex without strain relief on
some old Solarex modules. The vibration from wind (these were racked up
modules) on the stiff wire literally ripped the terminals off of the
modules. 


-----Original Message-----
From: jay peltz [mailto:jay at asis.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2002 5:32 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: Rooftop wiring [RE-wrenches]


Hi all,

I have seen many systems ( mostly off grid ) that have been in for 15-20
yrs.  I have seen many of them with standard THHN , in outdoor
applications and the wire is fine.  A bit faded, and the clear plastic
covering is looking really bad, but the insulation is in fine shape.

Now before anybody jumps on this I am NOT saying to do this.  But using it
as an example that shows how long things can really work in the field, in
my area at least.

Personally I use either TC or USE-2 for module interconnects.  Often this
also goes to the combiner which on roofs I like to install on the module
mounting ( I rarely install flush systems) and is then changed to flex or
ridged plastic to the power room.

As the the idea of conduit on modules, I have seen as many or more
problems with junction box stress cracks, or the O-ring cracking or
compressed on one side leaving a gap that I still use and lean towards no
conduit on interconnects.

Heres a question the intertie group::

on the new modules that have Multi-contact cords already attached.  The
lengths are never right, so what do you do?

Thanks everyone,

jay

peltz power

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