Module wiring safety [RE-wrenches]

Matt Tritt solarone at charter.net
Tue Jan 22 14:19:07 PST 2008


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.
Michael,

Isn't that precisely the idea with MC connectors? If you look closely at 
how they're made, you will see that NO metal is exposed to inadvertent 
contact whilst pulling them apart - or plugging them together. If they 
wont' pull apart, the back of the module will most likely do so; same as 
what would happen if you pull really hard on a piece of flex conduit 
attached to a plastic J-box

This entire subject "appears" to me to be driven by unrealistic 
what-iffiness. MC connectors work great, especially the double-insulated 
Euro version. You pull hard and they come apart. The circuit is broken. 
No one gets zapped. Everyone is safe. No one gets sued. Systems go 
together fast and well. Hiding them behind some kind of shielding is 
great (though probably not exactly imperative).

I just can't see why what has been functioning well is suddenly no damn 
good.

Michael Welch wrote:

>Hi Ray. Here is an idea that I have not heard yet. What makes AC cords in a household safe from kids yanking on them? The fact that the plugs slip out of sockets, leaving no exposed live terminals or wires.
>
>Instead of requiring that module cables be locked into place, make the leads so that if they are forced out with xx lbs. of pressure, there will be no exposed live terminals or wires.
>
>Ray Walters wrote at 12:28 AM 1/22/2008:
> 
>  
>
>>Oh Boy,
>>We're actually cooking up a virtual arsenal of ideas to tackle this  
>>problem:
>>
>>1) Bill's idea that ground mounts get the back of the modules blocked  
>>or caged off. (Cattle panel to the back rails would do it?)
>>
>>2) Taller Pole mounts , but we're still bumping around just  how  
>>high. How bout a chart that puts min. height based on array voltage.  
>>12/ 24 v goes on regular pole, 48 v goes higher, etc. At 240, we're  
>>at 10 ft?
>>
>>3) William's covers. (they're sounding better all the time)
>>
>>4) glue on j-boxes with liq. tite conduit.
>>       a) cut connectors, splice in jboxes.
>>       b) keep MC connects and cover with liq tite conduit.
>>
>>5) Political pressure on the Panel manufacturers to help us.
>>
>>6) Someone on the list (Outback, AEE, Conergy ?) could re-brand  a  
>>module and then modify it slightly by adding a j-box (at an  
>>additional cost of course). Or just make it an allowable wiring  
>>method that won't void the warranty.
>>
>>Miss any body's ideas?
>>
>>Ray
>>    
>>
>
>
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