[RE-wrenches] grounding the Enphase inverter

[R Ray Walters]

HI BIll;

I follow you NEC logic here, and just needed a couple of clarifications:
1) Can we use smaller than #6 bare to connect to the inverters, as long as it was not exposed to physical damage? (ie. under the modules, in conduit)
2) for irreversible splices, are crimp lugs acceptable, or do we need to use the much more expensive ( and dangerous to make) exothermic welds?


Thanks in advance for generously sharing your expertise,

R. Walters
ray at solarray.com
Solar Engineer




On Mar 3, 2011, at 11:48 PM, Bill Brooks wrote:

> All,
> 
> While there is ambiguity in the 2008 NEC in 690.47(C) on the requirements
> for system grounding of PV systems, the 2011 NEC in 690.47(C) clarifies the
> intent. 
> 
> While an application note from Enphase may state that WEEBs can be used as
> part of the grounding electrode system, I disagree with this concept and do
> not believe it meets the requirements or intent of the NEC as clarified in
> the 2011 NEC. The problem with a grounded PV inverter is that it requires a
> grounding electrode conductor (GEC) from the grounding point (on the
> inverter) to the grounding electrode. The 2008 and 2011 NEC allows for that
> connection to be terminated at the grounding bar in the service panel
> supplying the micro-inverters.
> 
> There is no problem with using the WEEB to bond the rails to the modules and
> then to the Enphase Micro-inverter. From the micro-inverter, a bare 6AWG
> could be run to pick up each micro-inveter in each row of micro-inverters
> with splices made to a single bare 6AWG made with irreversible splices. At
> the rooftop junction box, the GEC could be irreversibly spliced to an 8AWG
> green insulated conductor to run unbroken to the grounding busbar in the
> service equipment.
> 
> While this may not be in agreement with the Enphase application note, I
> believe it meets the intent and letter of the NEC as clarified in the 2011
> NEC 690.47(C). While using the WEEBs in the GEC circuit may not cause a life
> or death issue, it is absolutely open to being questioned by the electrical
> inspector. If the electrical inspector decides it is wrong--it is wrong. If
> you or the field inspector appeals to me or an expert like John Wiles, we
> will state what I have stated above. Then you would have to remove all the
> modules, throw away the WEEBs, put in new WEEBs with the new bare copper
> 6AWG and reinstall the modules--it just ain't worth it.
> 
> 690.47(D) was removed from the 2011 NEC because it was primarily for
> lightning protection (not a safety issue according to the NEC) and was
> ambiguously worded with respect to residential rooftop PV systems. If the
> local jurisdiction requires the additional electrode, install a j-box at the
> point near ground-level where the conduit transitions from vertical to
> horizontal and install an irreversibly spliced bare 6AWG to run from the
> j-box to a ground rod below the j-box--mildly painful, but very doable.
> 
> Bill.
> 
> Bill Brooks, PE
> Principal
> Brooks Engineering
> 873 Kells Circle
> Vacaville, CA 95688
> 707-332-0761 (office and mobile)
> 707-451-7739 (fax)
> bill at brooksolar.com (email)
> www.brooksolar.com (web)
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jason
> Szumlanski
> Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 12:55 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] grounding the Enphase inverter
> 
> I don't see it in your comments. At least that wasn't clear. Anyway, in
> that case there is absolutely no reason to use the inverter ground clip.
> The whole purpose of the inverter-> rail WEEB is to eliminate the ground
> wire.
> 
> Take a look at the Enphase App Note here:
> http://www.enphaseenergy.com/downloads/EnphaseAppNote_WEEB_Installation.
> pdf
> 
> It starts out, "As an alternative to installing a continuous grounding
> electrode conductor connected to each microinverter chassis, a grounding
> washer may be used to ground the microinverter to grounded racking." It
> couldn't be more clear for an inspector, but I understand that sometimes
> it's hard to convince them. Hope this helps!
> 
> Jason Szumlanski
> Fafco Solar
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Kirk
> Herander, VSE
> Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 8:46 AM
> To: 'RE-wrenches'
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] grounding the Enphase inverter
> 
> "As an aside, why didn't you use approved WEEB's to bond the inverters
> to
> the rails? This eliminates the ground wire to each inverter. Simpler
> IMHO."
> 
> I did. It is in my comments.
> 
> Kirk Herander
> Vermont Solar Engineering
> 802.863.1202
> NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar Installer
> NYSERDA-eligible Installer
> VT Solar Incentive Program Partner
> 
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
> 
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> 
> Options & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> 
> List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> 
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
> 
> Check out participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
> 
>