code advocate [RE-wrenches]

Sat Nov 25 20:17:50 PST 2006

Wrenches,
John Wiles sent me the piece that follows. As I have done on several other
occasions, I am happy to forward this to our list.
Allan at Positive Energy

Hi Allan:

Interesting Code Advocate discussion on the web site.

Here are a few items that may not be commonly known.

Ward Bower at Sandia National Labs is the PV representative on Code
Making Panel 13 for the NEC and Rob Wills (appointed by SEIA) is his
alternate.

Ward Bower is Chair of the PV Industry Forum (nearly 100 people in
the industry--anyone can join) and I am the secretary.  We take
inputs from anyone on suggested Code changes, but few of the 100
people seeing the code proposals ever send us anything.  Also, I
noted that there were no formal inputs directly to NFPA from any PV
installer for either the 2005 or the 2008 NEC.

The 40+ proposals for 2008 were not generated out of thin air, but
were based on excellent requests and comments from PV installers that
I collected over the years.

Ward and I are both on the UL Standards Technical Panels for UL 1741
(inverters) and I am on the STP for UL 1703 PV modules.

I have been nagging (informally and now formally) UL for more than 10
years to get module grounding and some conflicts between UL 1703 and
the Code cleared up.

Anyone can send me comments and questions on the code or the UL
standards and I will be happy to answer them as best I can.  It will
help if the questions are based on reading the NEC Handbook and the
included comments and/or the UL Standards.

I am happy to see that Christopher cleared up the 100% breaker rating
on Outback products.  I wish that was true uniformly across all
products made by PV manufacturers. Unfortunately, it does not apply
to common load centers made by Square D and others that are routinely
seen by inspectors.   That information needs to be printed in the
power center manuals as part of the listing information and
instructions.

Again, I am happy to answer questions on the phone or sent to me by e-mail.
-- 
If I can provide further information, please do not hesitate to call,
e-mail or fax me.

John

John C. Wiles,  Program Manager
Southwest Technology Development Institute, New Mexico State University
505-646-6105      505-646-3841 (FAX)   http://www.NMSU.Edu/~tdi
SWTDI/NMSU
3705 Research Drive
Box 30001/MSC 3 SOLAR
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Todd Cory, Mt. Shasta Energy Services" <toddcory at finestplanet.com>
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 10:26 AM
>
> I could not agree more Jay.
>
> For example since it is physically impossible for a GVFX3648 to supply
> more than 30 continuous amps to the busbar, which is easily within the
> 120% acceptable limit, making everyone jump through hoops because of a
> poorly written code technicality about breaker size is absurd.
>
> Frankly, I don't care if the inverter connects through a 10,000 amp
> breaker, the inverter can only supply 30 amps. The 50 amp breaker size
> in this instance does not dictate what the inverter can supply, but what
> the inverter can use as a load. This is a prime example of a code rule
> that needs to change to match the REALITY of the electronics here.
> Making everyone tap into the feeder wires upstream of the 200 amp main,
> or downsizing the main breaker is the height of absurdity. It is like we
> are trying to find a problem (that does not exist) to correct, because
> of a poorly written code rule.
>
> This is where what Jay suggests would be beneficial. We don't need a
> code interpretor, but someone that will address the needs for code
> changes that match the physics involved.
> If the code is going to be respected it MUST coincide with reality.
>
> Todd
>
>
> Jay Peltz, Peltz Power wrote:
>
> >
> > Hi Allan,
> >
> > At the risk of stirring up trouble.
> >
> > It appears that we need a advocate in the PV industry not a code
> > interpreter.
> > Someone who will look at the situation and look for creative ways to
> > work with or push for change of the code instead of
> > grinding us down with it.
> >
> > And we need to get this done soon as we  are being held to different
> > standards, and it appears that no one is on our side.
> > ( look at the grounding issues for a big one, but just one)
> >
> > I would think such a person would be an EE, smart, creative and
> > diplomatic.
> > If we need to get a fund together to pay for such a position it would
> > be the cheapest money we've spent, and
> > I for one will happily pay.
> >
> > If I'm off base, my apologies  now.
> >
> > jay

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

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

List rules & how to change your email address: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

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
--^----------------------------------------------------------------