EMT through attic? [RE-wrenches]

[Dan Rice]

===========================================================
Empower your Team with Remote Access. GoToMyPC Pro 
provides your organization with instant remote access to 
email,files, applications and network resources in real 
time. FREE TRIAL:
http://click.topica.com/caaccMSbz8Qcsbz9JC9a/ ExpertCity
===========================================================

Nick,

I'm assuming that what you would like to run through the attic are the PV
"output circuit" conductors from a roof-mounted PV array. NEC 690.14(C)(1)
requires the PV disconnect be installed "at a readily accessible location
either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of
entrance of the system conductors." In the absence of a readily accessible
attic space (inside nearest the point of entrance.) to mount a disconnect,
PV conductors are usually run on the outside of the building to a
ground-level disconnect either on outside of the building or inside close to
where the conduit first enters the building.

The 2005 code proposals include a new section, 690.31(F) that would allow PV
conductors to be run in metal raceways and enclosures inside a building for
an undisclosed distance prior to the first disconnect. The intent is to
address building integrated PV wiring needs, and to do something about the
aesthetics of running conduit all over the outside of buildings. Still,
metallic raceways would be required, so no help there. But unless your AHJ
allows otherwise, your options are limited.

I'm sure that the CA wrenches, and others, will have a less pedantic and
more "real world" perspective to offer. In my limited experience, I've been
allowed to hide PVC conduit inside a non-accessible space behind a roof
soffit trim
board. In New Mexico, for roof-mounted arrays we (almost) always ran the
conductors in conduit attached to the outside of the building (in EMT, but
we won't go there right now).

Dan Rice
Abundant Sun, LLC.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nick Lucchese" <nickl at sierrasolar.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 11:21 AM
Subject: EMT through attic? [RE-wrenches]

Greetings Fellow Wrenches,
  Can someone please direct me to the rule that requires that EMT be
run through the attic. I have an install that has quite a significant
run of conduit through the attic and there is only one access point
in the middle of the house. The bendable characteristic of PVC would
make the job so much easier since the attic is such a maze of truss
cords. If I am to use an estimated 120' of EMT there is a very high
probability that I'll have to cut the 10' EMT in half and use a bunch
of couplers to rejoin them. I'm also looking at removing a gable vent
to feed the ten footers in but that would require crawling through an
additional section of the house that I could otherwise avoid. Somehow
I took the owner's word that the attic is "wide open and very
accessible" and now I'm paying the price. I (half) learned the lesson
before not to go on someone else's word but figured I could trust his
opinion since he's a general as well and he built the house himself.
He gave me the common attitude that I shouldn't have to use conduit
at all even though I told him from day one what the job would
require. Years ago I used PVC in this situation but it seems I recall
of a fire code and not necessarily part of the NEC that requires it
to be EMT since the roof is not an accessible point for the DC disco.
Any references as to where I can find this rule or recommendations
are appreciated. Tomorrow is the lucky day I get to crawl around and
sweat the job out and I'm itching already.

  Thank you to all for the combined knowledge,
                                              Nick A Lucchese

===========================================================
Let University of Phoenix make 2004 your year. Evening, 
weekend or FlexNet® classes – over 130 locations. Look 
into our programs and get the degree that gets you going!
http://click.topica.com/caaccMPbz8Qcsbz9JC9f/ UOP
===========================================================



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

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

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

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

Hosted by Home Power magazine

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

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

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------