UL listing of lightning arrestors [RE-wrenches]

[William Korthof]

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Bill and others,

I posed a question to the list several days ago about lighting 
arrestors. I still haven't seen a response---

So I'm wondering if anyone has seen or done testing that demonstrated 
any actual benefit to using lighting arrestors? That is, for an actual 
installation, they absorb a discharge and prevent damage that would have 
otherwise occured to inverters or solar panels... and at the same time, 
without self-destructing.

/wk


Bill Brooks wrote:
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> 
> Allan and all,
> 
> The only thing that I would add to this generally factual discussion on
> UL-recognized is that it primarily refers to a component that has had some
> testing done on it (what testing differs on every component and is specified
> by the manufacturer). For instance, there is at least one battery that is
> UL-recognized. What does this mean? It actually means very little. It turns
> out that the battery I am referring to is using a plastic case that has been
> tested. Nothing related to the other physics or the electrical
> characteristics of the battery have been tested other than the plastic in
> the case. Some have mistakenly assumed that this battey is superior to other
> batteries because of this UL-recognition. However, the only real advantage
> this battery presents is that if a manufacturer like Outback Power, or
> Beacon wanted to use this battery in a fully listed battery system assembly,
> they would not have to test the case material, whereas they would have to
> have to test the case material tested for a non-UL-recognized battery.
> 
> As it relates to silicon-oxide varistors (SOVs), the benefit of having the
> UL-recognition on the Delta lightning arrestor is that an inverter or charge
> controller manufacturer could incorporate this device into their "listed"
> product, and not have to repeat the tests already paid for by Delta. So the
> valid question is why hasn't any PV inverter or charge controller
> manufacturer embraced this product? We have been using the product for years
> and it has done a reasonably good job protecting PV systems. It is also used
> extensively in standard ac systems throughout areas of the U.S. with high
> lightning occurances. It is inexpensive, and if applied properly has a very
> real benefit for PV systems. I honestly do not understand why inverter and
> charge controller manufacturers do not embrace these products to assist
> their on-board devices by providing supplemental surge protection. I say use
> them whenever the local jurisdiction does not prohibit their use. 
> 
> Choosing the correct SOV is the issue. That is why it would be great for
> some of these manufacturers, that have the engineering know-how, to
> incorporate the specific products into their units so that the installer
> does not have to wonder which one to pick.
> 
> Bill.
> 
> 
> 
> Kirk,
> As I understand it, the backwards-UR means recognized when used as part of a
> listed assembly. This means that the product can't be used as a stand-alone
> component, installed by us in general application. It may be installed by a
> manufacturer as part of a listed product, meaning, for example, that a
> manufacturer of a listed product can include it and the entire assembly is
> thus listed. It would also apply to a listed assembly shop, such as Energy
> Outfitters or Conergy (and there are others, of course) being able to
> include it as part of a listed assembly, such as an Outback PS system.
> 
> When the inverter OEMs say that "they can't recommend any lightning arrestor
> because none are UL listed", you're supposed to listen between the lines.
> Most manufacturers would prefer to see surge protection on their equipment.
> Outback even requires DC surge protection in a system in order to cover
> lightning damage as part of their MX60 warranty. The product goes in after
> inspection. You didn't get this from me, though...
> 
> Allan at Positive Energy
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kirk Herander [mailto:kirk at vtsolar.com]
> 
> The Delta brand of arrestors, such as the LA302R (ac) and the LA602DC do not
> have a standard "UL" mark but rather the backwards "UR" mark. I understand
> this mark is for listed individual components and not stand-alone 
> 
> 
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> 
> 


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