Grundfos submersible pump compliance with NEC [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar]

Bob,
Seconding Randy's comments. Indeed, as Grundfos submersibles have become the
default pump selection for many off-grid applications, and issues of the
need for listed equipment now reaching well pump installations, Grundfos US
should assume responsibility for your situation, by covering both the work
and expense of field-certifying your installation. Then Grundfos needs to
get the components used in the US listed.

I am waiting for what happened to you to happen here as well. We have
generally cooperative and reasonable inspectors, but our history is that
water pumping installations are seldom permitted (other than as part of a
larger project) and are virtually never inspected. That will likely change;
it's just a matter of time. 

I would encourage you to put some pressure on Grundfos to cover your
situation in full. 

I think I have the cards of some senior folks at Grundfos US, from a
conversation at Solar Power 2007. If I find them I'll forward names to you
off-list.

Allan Sindelar
Positive Energy

-----Original Message-----
From: Randy Brooks [mailto:Randy at BrooksSolar.com] 

Bob,

I believe there is provision in the WA code to use a non-listed  
component if no listed component is available for that specific  
purpose.  You might ask the inspector about that.  The next  
alternative would be to have Intertek come and "field inspect" the  
system and certify the installation to UL/ETL standards.  This is  
expensive, but possible.

Good luck!

Randy Brooks

On Apr 17, 2008, at 10:49 PM, Bob Clark wrote:

>
> Matt, et. al:
>
> This is a high-voltage, low-amperage system--unfortunately.
>
> Tomorrow, we are "correcting" all of the other "issues" the  
> inspector noted,
> and awaiting responses from Grundfos and a Washington State Grundfos
> distributor (with not much hope of resolution).
>
> Hmmm.  Installing a "standard AC" pump for the inspection . . .  Do  
> you mean
> an AC pump and inverter with UL listing?  How does this make sense  
> with a DC
> solar array and no inverter?  The inspector is savvy enough to see  
> through
> this ruse.
>
> I will keep you wrenches posted, but I think this will be a  
> disaster for us
> and our client unless the inspector, by some miracle, changes his  
> mind and
> accepts the CE rating in the Grundfos literature.
>
> Bob Clark
> SolarWind Energy Systems, LLC
> bclark at solar-wind.us


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