no safe modules for ground-mounted arrays[RE-wrenches]

[Matt Tritt]

<x-flowed>

Holy Smokes! According to this reg, and if applied to ground mounted PV, 
the mounting pole would need to be about 15' above grade. Has anyone 
else on this list noticed the level of absurdity possible when following 
a "logical" train of thought?  The biggest worries we used to have 
concerned keeping horses and bulls away from installations, and not 
falling from a roof, now it's technology proliferated to the point where 
hazards to humans is the worry because of the high voltages (or 
paranoia) involved.

If accessible PV wiring is 48 volts or less, the problem goes away. Or, 
to blaspheme, maybe the US could join the rest of the world and use 
something other than the NEC to govern electrical practices. Please, 
anyone; how many of you, or anyone you know even remotely, has been 
injured or killed by any wire on the back of an array?

If this all goes where it seems to be headed, the cost of PV could reach 
a point that puts it out of the reach of even more people, and the only 
companies able to accomplish installations will be the ones that can 
afford the hugely expensive insurance policies that will materialize to 
cover the "perceived" liabilities involved.

Oh, for 1980!

Matt T

Drake Chamberlin wrote:

>
> The bottom of the drip loop for a utility service drop needs to be 10' 
> minimum from grade level.
>
> Drake
>
> At 04:46 PM 1/18/2008, you wrote:
>
>> Regarding taller pole mounts:
>>
>> That is an interesting take on the definition of readily accessible.
>>
>> Center point of saftey switch handles can be no higher than 6 1/2'.  
>> This
>> insures that they can be easily accessed for operation.
>>
>> I can reach up to almost 8' without getting a ladder.
>>
>> I would think that the "circuits" would have to more like over 8 1/2' 
>> to be
>> deemed not "readily accessible".
>>
>> MPF
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Ray Walters [mailto:walters at taosnet.com]
>> Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 3:20 PM
>> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>> Subject: Re: no safe modules for ground-mounted arrays[RE-wrenches]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Taller pole mounts that put the cabling above 2 m (6 1/2')  would be
>> cheaper than fencing.
>> What if a manufacturer just approved a glue on J-box attachment to
>> the module? That's all the J-box was on the  old J-box models.
>> We glue some J-boxes on, cut the cables shorter and wire nut away to
>> flex conduit. A single gang outdoor extension ring made of plastic
>> would work great.
>> I have some very old modules that have j-boxes that are just that.
>> Its actually sturdier than the old boxes were all crying about.
>> The proper adhesive would be the key ingredient. I believe silicon is
>> compatible with the Tedlar backing on the modules,
>> could a module manufacturer please comment?
>>
>> The retrofit I'm talking about would work on most modules now.
>>
>> ray at solarray.com
>>
>>
>> - - - -
>> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>>
>> 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/
>>
>> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.7/1232 - Release Date: 
>> 1/18/2008 7:32 PM
>
>
>
> - - - -
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> 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/
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>
>
>
>
>


- - - -
Hosted by Home Power magazine

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/

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

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

</x-flowed>