[RE-wrenches] Fwd: Re: Aluminum Module Frame To GalvanizedUni-Strut

[Ray Walters]

Hi Guys;

The islands have accelerated corrosion, but we will see the same 
problems even in dry climates, it just might take decades instead of 
years. I think galvanic corrosion of AL and CU is such a problem that we 
should use the new products available such as the WEEB, and take 
advantage of the clarified grounding requirements in NEC 2011.
Basically I think the days of bare #6 CU running all over the array 
modules and framing should be over. It was time and money consuming, 
caused unnecessary corrosion, and looked bad, plus was it ever really safer?
My own ground impedance testing says no. The most impedance is usually 
found at the connection from the grounding electrode to the earth 
itself, not at the array.

Ray Walters

On 7/13/2011 2:46 PM, Marv Dargatz wrote:
>
> Drake,
>
> This is a HUGE problem.  If you want a real earful, talk to John 
> Wiles, Bill Brooks, or Greg Ball about this.
>
> While you might think that the anodizing on the aluminum would prevent 
> electrical contact to the copper, it doesn't last long with just a 
> little vibration (usually due to wind).  Put this in a coastal 
> environment, and things go bad in a hurry, often in less than one 
> year.  Any island environment is especially bad.
>
> See ya!
>
> Marv
>
> Director of Technology and Support, North America
>
> *SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.*
>
> Tech Support Mobile:  +530.798.6770
>
> Mobile: +530.392.0356
>
> *From:*re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Drake
> *Sent:* Wednesday, July 13, 2011 1:26 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Fwd: Re: Aluminum Module Frame To Galvanized 
> Uni-Strut
>
>
>     Marv,
>
>     It is common practice to run bare copper ground wire over rails
>     and under modules, which will touch the aluminum at various
>     points.  How much of a problem is this going to create in the long
>     run?
>
>     Drake
>
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