Batteries on Concrete / DC ground [RE-wrenches]

[matthew tritt]

I totally agree with both you guys. However, there seems to be a code
requirement to ground ONE of the DC conductors somewhere in the system,
usually at the inverter! I have had more than one argument with more than
one electrician on this issue and we've been through it again and again on
this list.

What really IS the safe way, irrespective of code???????????

Matt T
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kirk Herander, VSE" <kirk at vtsolar.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 3:48 PM
Subject: RE: Batteries on Concrete / DC ground [RE-wrenches]


> I totally agree with Todd. Grounding the negative is not a good idea. In
> addition to surface discharge via electrolyte or electrolyte-soaked
> dust/dirt to ground, there is a safety standpoint: I have on more than
> one occasion felt the mild tickle of a 24 vdc battery bank while
> touching the positive terminal with one hand and the other on the
> concrete floor of a negative-grounded battery bank in a high-humidity,
> summertime basement environment. I thought it was my imagination at
> first, then measured the voltage between the two points and full battery
> potential was present. Isolating the batteries from the floor solves the
> current leakage problem, but does not solve the human safety issue. I
> would not have enjoyed the "very evident" high voltage vdc current under
> the same circumstance. Just another reason to follow safety precautions,
> especially around high voltage systems.
>
> Vermont Solar Engineering
> POB 697
> Burlington, Vt. 05402
> ph 802.863.1202 - 800.286.1252
> fax 802.863.7908
> Xantex Certified Dealer
> NYSERDA-Approved Eligible Installer
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Todd Cory, Mt. Shasta Energy Services
> [mailto:toddcory at finestplanet.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 8:45 AM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Re: Batteries on Concrete [RE-wrenches]
>
> This is yet another reason for ungrounded (DC side) systems.
>
> Todd
>
>
> Bill Brooks wrote:
>
> >  As batteries boil electolyte, they can form
> > a path for current to ground with the acid. This is very evident at
> high
> > voltages, but still occurs slowly at low voltages.
>
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