Fw: Fw: Grounded for two weeks...hopefully longer [RE-wrenches]

[Brad Bassett]

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I would like to ask John Wiles if he would find the GBL-4DB lug 
acceptable for grounding with a ss washer between it and the module 
frame. John talks about the tin plated copper and the tin plated 
aluminum, but how about the GBL4-DB unplated copper lug?  This lug is 
approved for direct burial and has a ss screw, and is much less 
expensive than the GBL4-DBT lug (well over $3 ea). 

The ASE-300 module comes with a threaded insert (very nice!) and a ss 
screw which clamps down a brass disc holding the ground wire to the 
module frame. This puts the copper in direct contact with the aluminum 
frame. Installers that I used to work with have seen this setup corrode 
pretty badly in a warm, humid environment. They have used the GBL4-DB 
(not tin) with a ss washer between it and the module frame on the 
ASE-300 in similar conditions with much better sucess. This is probably 
due in part because there is no copper to aluminum contact as in the 
standard ASE disc setup. 
 
The Shell Solar modules come with a ss thread cutting screw and ss 
washer but they show the ground wire being in contact with the module 
frame under the ss washer in their instructions. I would think it would 
be better to put the ground wire between the ss washer and head of the 
screw, keeping the copper away from contact with the aluminum for better 
long term durability.

John, would you see either the GBL4-DB and ss washer, or the alternate 
Shell Solar attachment as being acceptable for module grounding until 
something better, like what you suggest, is adopted by the module mfg's?

Thank you,
Brad
AEE




> John Wiles' grounding piece.
> 
> 
> The ILSCO GB4 DBT lug is a lay-in lug with a stainless steel screw made 
> of
> solid copper and then tin plated. It accepts a 4-14 AWG copper 
> conductor. It
> is listed for direct burial use (DB) and outdoor use and can be attached 
> to
> aluminum structures (the tin plate). The much cheaper ILSCO GBL4 lug 
> looks
> identical, but is tin plated aluminum, has a plated screw and is not 
> listed
> for outdoor use. We have not been able to identify an alternative to the
> GBL4 DBT, but continue to search.
> 
> 
> I am also trying to interest the module manufacturers in making that
> aluminum connection in the factory and giving us a copper-compatible
> terminal in the j-box or on the frame as is done with the 300-watt
> RWE-Schott modules.
> 
> 
> 
> Unfortunately many PV systems are being grounded improperly even when 
> the
> proper hardware has been supplied. The picture below taken in March 2004
> shows that even the proper hardware can be misused. Here, the
> stainless-steel isolation washer has been installed in the wrong 
> sequence
> and the copper grounding wire is being pushed against the aluminum 
> frame; a
> condition sure to cause corrosion and loss of electrical contact in the
> future.
> 
> 4/2/04 John Wiles SWTDI/NMSU jwiles at nmsu.edu
> 


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