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

[Mark Frye]

Matt,

I am not sure about your reference to 48V, but the new Code applies to
"circuits" operating at a max voltage above 30V.

Only 12V and 24V nominal systems are exempted from the raceway requirement
when readily accessible.

MPF

-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Tritt [mailto:solarone at charter.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 4:51 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: no safe modules for ground-mounted arrays[RE-wrenches]



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


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