Different systems vs the same system (Was Conduit insidethe tracker pole) [

[matthew tritt]

Speaking of AC and DC wires, a local electrician called us to come out and
see why his stoopid inverter wouldn't work. He had "installed" the system
his'self (and did a very nice job of bending conduit) and managed to connect
his panels in such a way as to produce 800 volts at the disconnect. It's
just as well things didn't actually turn on since he also had the polarity
reversed. Golly.

He also had made his connections with wire nuts. How cool.

After a little re-connecting, things seem to run fine.

Just being an electrician doesn't seem to produce good work by osmosis!

Matt T
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joel Davidson" <joeldavidson at earthlink.net>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 7:43 PM
Subject: Re: Different systems vs the same system (Was Conduit insidethe
tracker pole)


> It is a good idea to educate your local electrical inspector beforehand
and
> get his agreement. Rework to pass inspection is a drag and being "right"
> makes the rework an even more unpleasant experience. The inspector is
always
> right - if you want a fast sign-off.
>
> John Berdner wrote:
>
> > Ahhhh Matt:
> >
> > This comes up fairly often so we cover this in our installer training
> > seminars.
> > I too misinterpreted this section of the Code but J. Wiles straigtened
> > me out on this one.
> > The Code is saying don't run the waires to your washing machine in the
> > same raceway as you PV output circuit.
> > This makes sense to me.
> >
> > In a PV system the ac and dc we want to run together are part of one
> > system - The PV system.
> > The 690.4(B) says "different systems" which we dont got none.
> > Also, the conductors mentioned in 4B are connected together in the
> > inverter.
> > The PV system (singular) can include one or more inverters, and one or
> > more sub-arrays.
> > If the inverter also included batteries then they too are part of the
> > same PV system.
> > I believe this means you could also run the battery cables in the same
> > raceway as the PV and AC in and out.
> > Of course you would have to use battery cables rated for use in conduit
> > and with insulation rated for the highest voltage.
> >
> > Best Regards,
> >
> > JSB
> >
> > >>> mlafferty at universalenergies.com 6/16/2003 05:05:23 PM >>>
> >
> > Allan Wrote:
> >
> > >Per NEC 300-2 (c) (1), AC and DC circuits are permitted inside the
> > same
> > enclosure, cable, or raceway.
> > >Or am I missing some fine print elsewhere?
> >
> > All:
> >
> > Brother John B's response gave me a very big sigh of relief... Since I
> > know he knows...  Maybe they finally got that nasty little exception
> > out
> > of 2002 and I missed it.... Had to look.
> >
> > The "fine print" is in the Exception.... Exception: For solar
> > photovoltaic systems in accordance with 690.4(B).
> >
> > 690.4 Installation.
> > (B) Conductors of Different Systems. Photovoltaic source circuits and
> > photovoltaic output circuits shall not be contained in the same
> > raceway,
> > cable tray, cable, outlet box, junction box, or similar fitting as
> > feeders or branch circuits of other systems, unless the conductors of
> > the different systems are separated by a partition or are connected
> > together.
> >
> > Therein lies the basis for my reference in the previous post.
> >
> > I've had some real challenges in the not too distant past with this
> > one... You try getting 5 "systems" (2 PV DC, 3 AC)
> > into, through, and back out of a 4" x 6" x 4' gutter when the UNION
> > ELECTRICIAN who was supposed to be doing the project just kind of
> > didn't
> > want to finish.... Likely due to the fact he REALLY screwed up on his
> > in-wall conduits and their arrangement.
> >
> > Well, guess who gets to push brooms.... Hey, it actually really looks
> > terrific inside and outside the gutter and works well, to boot.  On
> > top
> > of that, tough inspector... LOVED it!  Points!  Bingo!
> >
> > Maybe the "ol' fat guy with the big mouth" hasn't lost it, after all.
> > lol
> >
> > Pray for Two Palm Trees and a Hammock!
> >
> > Matt Lafferty
> > Universal Energies Institute
> > mlafferty at universalenergies.com
> > (916) 422-9772
> > (916) 628-7694 Cell
> > (916) 914-2247 Fax
> > www.universalenergies.com
> >
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