[RE-wrenches] Responses Welcomed!: 230/400 50Hz in the U.S Off-grid?

[Ray Walters]

Canadian code? Bahamas? You my friend have to make serious contact with 
local contractors to get the real scoop.
Seems that if the customer owns the whole island, he gets to decide what 
voltage and frequency to operate the island at. Are there actually 
building officials or inspectors that are going to boat out to tell 
everyone what to do?  We have whole counties here in Colorado (and 
Oklahoma) with no electrical inspection process, so why would the 
inspectors come to an isolated island in a foreign country?

Bottom line: Keep the customer happy and everyone else should be happy.

Ray Walters


On 8/9/2011 4:40 PM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:
> Hi Jay and All,
>
> This island is remote and stand-alone - the client owns the whole island.
>
> Yes the multi-cluster box is available now in the US - up to 60 KWs - 
> European version goes up to 300 KWs.
>
> 400/230 would reduce wire sizes over 208/120 before we go to 
> transformers and allow bigger micro-grids to make up the island mini-grid.
>
> There's a larger selection of energy efficient appliances and light 
> fixtures available in the rest of the world vs the US & Canada.
>
> Where exactly in the code does it say that things have to be listed - 
> or is that a local jurisdication thing?
>
> And the Bahamas uses the Canadian Code.  Bahaman authorities might 
> accept Euro listings.
>
> That's the thinking so far!
>
> Any more insight from anyone before I waste time on an impossible 
> quest would be most appreciated!
>
> Best,
>
> Jeff
> Village Power Design
>
>
>
> jay peltz wrote:
>> Hi Jeff,
>>
>> Likewise.
>>
>> Yea I think you are correct about the voltage/hz thing, but still at 
>> least here if its not listed then?
>> It also looks like they only use 120/240 60 hz in the Bahamas.
>>
>> My understanding from John B some years ago was that the multi 
>> cluster boxes would work with the US version, but were not listed.
>>
>> So for me my big question is this place so unique/ remote that you 
>> could have to have only euro equipment?
>>
>> peace,
>>
>> jay
>>
>>
>> On Aug 9, 2011, at 10:58 AM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Jay,
>>>
>>> Thanks for the input!  Was nice to see you at Intersolar.
>>>
>>> WELL This is the Bahamas so it's the Canadian Code.  So let's say 
>>> everything was listed - what are the other showstoppers?
>>>
>>> >From what I know (and I risk embarrassing myself here) - the code 
>>> doesn't specify voltage or frequency - just standards and practices 
>>> - so I'm thinking it's the way neutrals and grounding are handled 
>>> that would be the issue.  And even there I can imagine some work 
>>> arounds.
>>>
>>> Help me our here . . . .
>>>
>>> Jeff C.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> jay peltz wrote:
>>>> HI Jeff,
>>>>
>>>> I don't see how you could as the equipment isn't UL listed.
>>>>
>>>> Then you'd have the issue of what equipment are people going to be plugging into it, and none of that would be UL either.
>>>>
>>>> I think its great stuff and would love to see it happen, but I'd also like to know how, but if anyone can pull it off it'll be you,
>>>>
>>>> Good luck,
>>>>
>>>> jay
>>>>
>>>> peltz power
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Aug 9, 2011, at 10:28 AM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Esteemed Wrenches,
>>>>>
>>>>> Is there any possibility at all I can install a 230/400 50 Hz Sunny Island Micro-grid in the U.S. or Canada and have it meet code?  Is it the neutral and grounding that's going to prohibitive?  Or is there a way around that?  Anybody ever done it and gotten it through an inspector?
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm working on an island mico-grid and the European standard would bring us higher voltage - larger multi-cluster boxes from SMA (the US version only goes to 60 KW whereas the European version goes to 300 KW) perhaps better SI support from Germany, and access to a wider variety of energy efficienty appliances.
>>>>>
>>>>> One can only ask!
>>>>>
>>>>> Jeff
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> Jeff Clearwater
>>>>> Village Power Design
>>>>>
>>>>> Renewable Energy Consultant
>>>>> 32 Years in all Aspects of Renewables
>>>>> www.villagepower.com
>>>>> skype: jclearwater
>>>>> 413-559-9763
>>>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>
>
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