DC plugs and outlets [RE-wrenches]

[Kurt Nelson]

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Thanks Allan -- But I must mention that I wasn't talking about the
current carrying conductors, rather the outlet and plug wiring scenario.
I did mention using 10/3 Romex to each outlet, but that cable would have
three current carrying conductors and a ground.  

I'd leave the green open, the white to negative (grounded at the magic
spot), and the black and red for 12 and 24 volt positive.  Such a
circuit would have over current protection of 15 amps each positive
outlet.

In cases where using silly things like cigarette lighter outlets and RV
TVs, would adequate labeling appease the powers that be (best case
scenario)?   Otherwise I think we are in for continued code struggles in
the future.  I'm not in favor of an inverter in every small cabin
system, small DC systems and larger) and there isn't another good option
that I can see.  

If the supply wire can handle the current, as can the outlet, and the
manufacturer's plug (and thereby their wire), can't we at least agree
that these outlets are better than cigarette plugs (and why aren't those
banned!?)?

Kurt again -- SOLutions



The scenario I was mentioning was using a battery balancer 9Such as 

-----Original Message-----
From: Allan Sindelar [mailto:allan at positiveenergysolar.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2004 6:25 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: DC plugs and outlets [RE-wrenches]

 

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Kurt,
What you are proposing has a history in the Santa Fe off-grid milieu
from
long before my time. 12V one leg, 24V the other, ground is common
negative.
It's not code-compliant, of course, beginning with the use of the white
conductor for B+, and the bare conductor as a current-carrying grounded,
rather than grounding, conductor. But it was an accepted solution before
code-compliance was even a concept. With proper overcurrent protection,
safe
enough at those voltages.

Allan at PosE

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kurt Nelson" <sunwise at cheqnet.net>

I do primarily off-grid systems that are rarely inspected.  Many of my
systems have some DC stuff, perhaps a light or two for if the inverter
is down, maybe a stereo and perhaps a ceiling fan.

The cigarette lighter socket is a very poor design and is (un)suitable
for 12 volt DC only.  I usually use 240V 15 A outlets and plugs.  I have
also done a number of houses that have both 24 and 12 VDC in the home.

QUESTION -- Is the ground of such outlets capable of carrying rated
current??  It seems like it should be.  I'd like to start using the 240,
15 A, outlet for both 12 and 24 volt outlets, using the ground as the
negative and one of the horizontal plugs for 24 volt and the other for
12.  I'd maybe even pull 10/3 Romex to these outlets and wire them for
both voltages at the get-go (most homes I do only have two or three DC
outlets).

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