Request re Inspector Training [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar]

Matt, this is one of the most lucid and funniest pieces I have ever seen on
this list. Well done, Matt, and thank you!
Allan @+E

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mlafferty at universalenergies.com>
Mo,

Are you insinuating that there are "fast bucks" to be made in this
industry?  Sign me up!

Of the at least 15 or 20 of these things I've done, they've all been
"gratis".... Sigh.

On a more serious note, assuming that the inspectors will be "all
around" inspectors with various trade backgrounds and that you will be
doing the workshop at an existing installation, I would suggest hitting
some "basics".  (An hour and a half goes by way too quickly to get too
technical and moving a group of inspectors around the site...
Introductions, Service Panel, AC & DC Disconnects, Inverter, Roof, etc.,
takes up time.)


A couple of "up-front" pointers:

Wear clean blue jeans or Khaki (spelling?), pullover golf shirt (with
your company on it if possible), and work boots.

Try to find out in advance how many inspectors will be present.

Smiles everyone!  SMILES!

If it's a "first thing in the morning thing" and there will be 5 or more
inspectors, it is MANDATORY that you bring DOUGHNUTS!  Make sure you
have at least 1/2 fancies and that you have exactly 2 more doughnuts
than inspectors.  Jellies and glazed usually works out great.

Some will not even have one and some will have two.  If possible, have
an airpot of coffee with cups, cream & sugar, napkins and something to
stir with.... I usually offer them a screwdriver and act like "Well,
that's what I use..."  Not the vodka kind, either!  By doing it that
way, they know you are a "real working man" and will have their respect,
whether you are or not!

The primary reasons for this are: Doughnuts and coffee show
consideration and respect, it endears you to them and they will always
remember you....Not really a bribe...Which one will inevitably try to
charge you with, by the way....It's what I explain as, "Appreciation for
you guys taking the time to learn about what it is we do."  What I
really know is that most of them actually have short attention spans and
get fidgety if they don't have something to do.

Be sure you already have all the covers off the equipment and/or with
the screws out of them before they get there for efficiency.

Have a ladder set up in an OSHA Approved manner.

One or more of the inspectors will probably have a screwdriver and/or a
pair of channel locks.  Have both in your back pocket so you look ready
to help.

If you have a trusty helper that can keep his/her mouth shut for an hour
and a half even if an inspector asks a question, bring them.  I would
"suggest" to them that they direct any inquiries to yourself.  One
"expert" per training prevents "two different stories" kinda things from
happening!


The "basics" I would hit are, pretty much in order: (Shoot, it's a
virtual script...Works for me like every time!  Use all, none or
whatever, as you see fits.)

1.  Breaker.  Point out that the breaker is properly labelled.
Demonstrate with a VOM that when you shut it off, the AC voltage
disappears.  That is one of the most important things I have found with
these guys.  I do that first!  Then they feel more comfortable with the
system immediately.  I use this demonstration to point out that it is
specifically "Not a backfeed device."  Before you shut the breaker off
have them look at the customer meter (Hopefully with a wheel running
backward!)  Have them watch the customer meter and the VOM as you shut
the breaker off.  "WOW!" is what you will hear in unison!  (I do not
turn the breaker back on until about 10 minutes before the end of the
"tour" for safety.)

2.  Grounding.  All grounding must be tied back to the house system
ground.  Grounding conductors sized to largest disconnect in the system.
(Technically to the size of the largest conductor, but it makes it
easier for the "plumbing inspectors" to understand...)

3.  "Hots on Top" if using external disconnects (Like a Sunny Boy).  I
coined this term so it sticks in people's heads.  What it refers to is
the principle of "Line Side" vs. "Load Side"... Just like an Air
Conditioning Disconnect.  The Inverter is the "Load Side" on the AC and
DC sides of the system.  (Breaker to Disco Top.  Disco Bottom to
Inverter.    Array to Disco Top.  Disco Bottom to Inverter.)

4.  With both disconnects off, use your VOM to demonstrate that no
voltage is present on the Inverter Terminals.  Leave Discos off for now.
This is when I point out that all conduits are solidly strapped and all
connectors are tight.  Also, use conduit hubs when entering an enclosure
above energized terminals.  This turns into a real jam for the
lowballers that don't because once you point it out to the inspectors,
they will be sure to call them on it.  Then they have to come back, tear
everything apart and get reinspected.  I hope you're using hubs!

5.  GFDI.  1 Amp max.  Point out the physical connections to ground and
back to the DC Negative.  "This turns the whole system off if there's a
short.  This is what makes this an Interactive System instead of a
Separately Derived System in the NEC."  Keep it real "short".  Pardon
the pun!  Geez I crack myself up sometimes....

6.  Array Mounting.  Solidly constructed.  Attached to rafters/trusses.
Waterproof.

7.  "This is glass.  What about Breakage?" comes up every time.  I bring
it up first sometimes.  "UL Listing requires 1" Hailstone at 50 MPH.  If
it does get broken by a rock or pellet gun, the Ground Fault Detection
turns everything off."  Again, keep it short.  They will be nodding
their heads and perhaps raise an eybrow or two.

8.  Array general.  Point out "Cell, Module, Panel, Array"
relationships.  I personally call it all "glass"... Even if it's
Uni-Solar...

9.  Array wiring.  All wiring is supported and secured.  Bonding.  If
using Multi-Contacts, show them to the inspectors.  If possible, pull
one apart and put is back together.  (Remember, the Disco's are off!)
Point out the little tag that says "Do not disconnect under load".
Wiring is in Conduit.  Conduit is solidly strapped and secured.
Connectors are tight.  As you leave the roof, be sure they see your
helper putting things "back together".

10.  System initialization.  (This part of the tour is crucial...Sorry
to lay it out word for word, but I believe it is worth the
read....2-Cents)  Before turning the system back on, ask the group if
it's OK and if they have any more questions.  This shows them the "gun
and badge" respect they want.  Be sure to turn the AC breaker on or else
you'll look a little silly!  Been there, done that!  DC Disco first,
personally, for a reason.  I take a moment to re-demonstrate that there
is no AC Voltage on the Inverter Output Terminals.  AC Disco now.
Demonstrate and discuss the "5 Minutes before the inverter can
re-connect to the grid and start generating."  I generally use a clamp
meter on the AC wires to show them that it's not "working" during this
time.  I also generally switch the clamp meter to DC and show that it's
not pulling any load during this time as well.  I explain the different
things shown on the inverter display during this time.  I use this time
to tell them how the System  "Automatically wakes up when the Sun comes
up and goes to sleep when the Sun goes down.  It takes both AC and DC
for it to operate.  The inverters are so sensitive that if the grid is
out of tolerance in any way, they shut down."  Just as the Inverter is
coming on, I point them back over to the Customer's meter.  and I show
them how the lights and/or  display change.  This is when I start
putting the cover back on the inverter.  While doing so, I explain what
MPPT is by saying, "The Inverter is so smart that it continuously
measures how much power is actually available up on the roof for the
amount of sunshine and so on.  It continuously makes minor adjustments
so it can suck all the watts possible off the roof.  That's why the DC
voltage is continuously moving a little bit."  I generally use a pet
nickname (Big Red.  My Little Pit Bull. Etc.) to refer to the inverter
and give it a fond little "pat" when everything is running.  Once it has
reached MPPT, I point out the AC Watts Out on the display and again
point them back to the Customer's meter.  One more, "Any more
questions?".

After Q&A is done, if any, be sure to hand out your cards and invite a
phone call "anytime you have any questions" as you escort them back to
the sidewalk.  If your system is in need of a permit sign-off, be sure
to hold up your permit sometime in here and say, "Hey, who's supposed to
sign this off?" if that hasn't already happened.  Peek at the doughnut
box.  If there are any left, I kind of jog over, grab the box and ask
them, "Hey, who's gonna finish these off?"  Return to your little
"escort service".  lol  In the background, your helper should be putting
anything left back together and loading up the ladder.

Best of luck!

Pray for a Sunny Day!

Matt Lafferty

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael_welch at sbcglobal.net

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html
--^----------------------------------------------------------------