[RE-wrenches] Galvanic compatibility of commonly used solarmaterials

[North Texas Renewable Energy Inc]

> i have seen fast corrosion of copper on galvanized....

So as long as we're speculating, how about bare copper grounding conductors 
in EMT, is the coating on/inside conduit simply your
common molten zink plating or does it contain a nickle or some other alloy 
to inhibit the eventual copper corrosion? Zincs anodic
rating is down there with aluminum on the scale.
Jim Duncan
North Texas Renewable Energy Inc
817.917.0527
ntrei at earthlink.net
www.ntrei.com

>> Hi Wrenches,
>>
>> I'm wondering what types of experiences you folks have
>> with galvanic
>> corrosion. As we all know, racking and ground systems
>> commonly use copper,
>> aluminum, steel, etc. which may or may not be compatible
>> with each other.
>> There's the theory:
>> http://www.engineersedge.com/galvanic_capatability.htm
>> and then there's real life experience.
>>
>> I have first hand experience with aluminum lay in lugs used
>> to bond modules
>> corroding and turning to powder. We all know to use tin
>> coated copper lugs
>> for module and racking grounding. However, I see bare
>> copper ground wires
>> run over all sorts of different metals and I wonder what
>> issues might pop up
>> in the long haul.
>>
>> How well does bare copper hold up when it is touching
>> anodized aluminum?
>> What about copper and hot dipped strut? How do you run bare
>> ground wire when
>> you're connecting multiple arrays separated from each
>> other? Has anyone seen
>> issues arising between steel and aluminum racking parts?
>>
>> I'm looking forward to seeing what types of field
>> experiences you have seen.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> August
>>
>>
>>
>> August Goers
>>
>>
>> Luminalt Energy Corporation
>> O:  415.564.7652
>> M:  415.559.1525
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>> www.luminalt.com
>> august at luminalt.com
>>
>>
>>
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