Evolution of the Quick connect [RE-wrenches]

[Sky Sims]

William,

Took a look at your installations. I think they look great and if you
forward me some pricing and specs on the wire shield I'll be sure to
give this to my sales reps to include as an option in their presentation
to customers.

With that said, I don't believe this makes the system any safer. Why?
Because you can't protect against stupid. In fact I can see a 5 year old
climbing on the array and getting his hand caught between the shield and
the panel and slicing his wrists open on the edge of the shield. I can
also imagine a squirrel or other rodent making a nest in the shield
cutting up wires and leaving the shield energized making it even more
likely that someone will get injured. At least when the wires are
visible you get a chance to see any breaks in the wire before touching
anything. 

Sky Sims
Ecological Systems
www.ecologicalsystems.biz
220 County Road 522
Manalapan, NJ 07726
ph)732-462-3858  fax)732-462-3962
 

-----Original Message-----
From: William Miller [mailto:wrmiller at charter.net] 
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 4:15 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: RE: Evolution of the Quick connect [RE-wrenches]


Phil:

Protecting wiring behind a PV array is easier than most folks realize.
We 
have been using Solar World since they were Arco and, until just
recently, 
the modules all had j-boxes with 1/2" knockouts.  We covered our wiring 
with conduit and developed techniques which allowed us to install 
connectors onto non-metallic liquid tight in about 3 seconds.  Total
cost 
of materials is about $2.50 per module.

Here is a link to a few photos that illustrate some of the concepts:
http://mpandc.com/practices/Procedures/PV_wiring/PV_wiring.html

We had arrangements to purchase Solar World modules with the J-boxes
until 
just recently, but now we are forced to use modules which do not allow
us 
to remove the USE cables.  We are now developing procedures to protect
the 
USE cables without the use of conduit since we no longer have knock-outs
to 
connect conduit to.  We are pretty much on-line for ground mounts as 
pictured in the above link, and we are working out procedures for
keeping 
roof-mount wiring safer than other installers do.  This will be a market

niche for us capturing the high-end and safety conscious consumers.

We are hoping advances in the NEC and local codes will force the 
manufacturers to bring back the j-box.

Please feel free to contact me off-list if anyone has questions.

William Miller


At 08:24 AM 1/14/2008, you wrote:

>I think raceways for
>PV conductors in accessible areas are a great idea -- I just don't know
>how to accomplish it, realistically.
>------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Phil Undercuffler


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