[RE-wrenches] GEC for Enphase inverters

[Aladdin Solar]

Yes, we have been taking the approach Rebekah describes and treat the grounding conductor from the Enphase as GEC: Continuous #6 copper from the Enphase installed grounding clamp all the way back to the Grounding Electrode. The irreversable splices can be a bother compared to using a Polaris or similar but AHJs have been very happy with this approach (so far).

Charlie Pickard
Aladdin Solar
Excelsior, MN 55331
cpickard at AladdinSolar.com
www.AladdinSolar.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rebekah Hren 
  To: RE-wrenches 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 9:25 AM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] GEC for Enphase inverters


        The code does require the GEC to be continuous (250.64C), and I believe that the AC EGC for the Enphase metal inverter cases is in fact the same as the DC GEC since the point of system bonding on the DC side is inside the inverter. 
        See art. 100 definitions:Grounding Electrode Conductor. A conductor used to
        connect the system grounded conductor...to a point on the grounding electrode

        system.


        So this means that for Enphase systems the AC EGC (which is also the DC GEC) should be at minimum 8 awg (250.66) and continuous? Seems like it to me. 


        Rebekah Hren




        --- On Tue, 9/14/10, Mark Frye <markf at berkeleysolar.com> wrote:


          From: Mark Frye <markf at berkeleysolar.com>
          Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] GEC for Enphase inverters
          To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
          Date: Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 10:05 AM


          I believe the AC GEC runs from; the point where the ungrounded current carrying conductor is bonded to the enclosure of the service enterance equipment; to the connection to the ground electrode system. Conductors that run from the service enterance equipment, thru the premis to the Enphase are bonding jumpers that are not required to be continuous.

          Mark Frye 
          Berkeley Solar Electric Systems 
          303 Redbud Way 
          Nevada City,  CA 95959 
          (530) 401-8024 
          www.berkeleysolar.com  




----------------------------------------------------------------------
          From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller
          Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 9:46 PM
          To: RE-wrenches
          Subject: [RE-wrenches] GEC for Enphase inverters


          Friends:

          According to the 2005 NEC 250.64(C), the GEC for an AC system needs to be continuous without splices unless they are irreversible.  I am not clear where this conductor starts and ends.  Is it from the ground buss in a sub-panel to the disconnect switch on the roof, or to each inverter?

          Also, non-reversible splices need to be listed for use in grounding systems.  Any suggestions on make and model of splices so listed?

          Any advise from those more experienced is much appreciated.

          William Miller


          Please note new e-mail address and domain:

          William Miller 
          Miller Solar
          Voice :805-438-5600
          email: william at millersolar.com
          http://millersolar.com
          License No. C-10-773985



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