[RE-wrenches] Grouping of Service Disconnects

[Jason Szumlanski]

Hans,

I appealed as far as I could go in the time available. According to the
inspector, all 4 electrical inspectors and the building official got
together and all concur. Talk about grouping!!! More like
groupthinking!!! :)

I like your flush mount panel suggestion, but there are some aesthetic
and physical considerations that preclude this solution. We don't have a
utility disco requirement, so this would have worked perfectly under
other circumstances.

The homeowner and I are not keen on downsizing the main breaker, which
would be required based on the 200A main breaker and the 60A PV breaker,
but in this case it seems like the only reasonable/acceptable course of
action. We're going to do a load side connection and call it a day.
We'll leave the fused disconnect in place as a secondary service
disconnect. The only "not-fun" part is removing the existing tap
connections.

At the risk of being confrontational, I'm inclined to bring this back up
with the AHJ after we get our inspection. I think it's important for the
industry to help clarify the requirements and get on the same page with
the AHJs. Or, maybe I'll just bang my head into a brick wall.

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 Hans
Frederickson
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 11:42 AM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Grouping of Service Disconnects

Jason,
I agree that the inspector is wrong. I see two options:
1) Appeal the inspectors ruling with his supervisor(s).
2) Cut in a little flush mount service disconnect adjacent to the main
service panel. You could use a 2-space flush-mount panel like Cutler
Hammer
CH2L125FP. This is rated for service entrance use, but does not include
a
visible break disconnect (just a breaker), so depending on your
utility's
requirements, it might need to be redundant to your fused disconnect
outside.  

Regards,
-Hans

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, December 08, 2011 5:22 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Grouping of Service Disconnects

I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, but.

I have a supply side tap with a fusible disconnect located next to the
meter
outside. The tap is in the main distribution panel which is back to back
with the meter inside a finished garage. There is a 200A main breaker in
the
MDP. The inspector is insisting that the solar AC disconnect (fusible
disconnect) be located inside the garage next to the MDP. He is saying
that
service disconnecting means must be grouped. The inspector acknowledges
that
the PV system is considered a separate source, not necessarily a
separate
service, but also insists that Section 230 applies.

I pointed out that section 230.72(A) and 230.71(A) apply to grouping of
service disconnects for the SAME service, not grouping of all
disconnects
for multiple services. I noted that the location required in
230.70(A)(1)
allows for the disconnect to be outside the building. There is no
explicit
requirement for disconnects of separate services to be co-located
(grouped).
I also pointed out 690.56(B) which implies that the PV system disconnect
can
be located elsewhere if a plaque or directory is supplied. I thought
this
was case closed, but he is still not seeing it my way.

I realize that the AHJ could theoretically make the determination that
the
disconnect be located inside, but that is not the case he is making. He
is
stuck on the grouping aspect. I have provided Enphase's white paper on
disconnecting means and the excellent IAEI articles on the subject. I
think
they are interpreting the word "each" in 230.71(A) to mean "all." I'm
not
sure.


There is no way that the homeowner will allow a surface mounted fusible
disconnect next to his flush mounted MDP in the garage. The next best
alternative to comply with the inspector is expensive and time
consuming,
and a load side connection is out of the question. Not happy right now.

Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar

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