[RE-wrenches] WOW Something Gone Very Wrong

[Bill Brooks]

All,

 

It is very likely that the something gone very wrong was a wiring mistake by
the installing contractor. Many installers are clueless about the danger and
consequences of getting the polarity wrong in strings or combiner box
circuits. It is very likely that the contractor mixed up their combiner box
circuits causing the combiner boxes and conductors to catch on fire as soon
as the fuses were installed.

 

Polarity should be checked and verified on all circuits a total of 2 or 3
times during the course of installation and commissioning. It is the single
most important test from a safety point of view.

 

Bill.

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of David
Brearley
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 8:25 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] WOW Something Gone Very Wrong

 

Perfect example of why it's a good idea to start designing and deploying
systems now that meet the fuse servicing requirements found in NEC 2011-even
if these are not required by your AHJ yet. 

People on this list are probably ahead of that curve. If not, you might want
to check out these articles:

http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg14_QA_2
<http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg14_QA_2&search=>
&search=  (Bill Brooks article on Fuse Servicing disconnect requirements)

http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg64_Hren
<http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg64_Hren&search=>
&search=  (Changes to Code in 2011; See content under "690.6, Fuses"
subheading)

David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor
SolarPro magazine 
NABCEP Certified PV Installer T

On 3/29/12 9:36 AM, "Mark Frye" <markf at berkeleysolar.com> wrote:

  

 
 
 Rooftop solar installation sparks fires in Trenton, New Jersey 28.03.2012:
According to local news portal NJ.com, a rooftop solar system has triggered
several small fires at a recycling center in Trenton, New Jersey. The
article reports that "a major malfunction in the rooftop solar panel.caused
small fires and surges of electricity producing arcs of current to break
out." According to Fire Battalion Chief Rich Seeds, "There definitely was a
problem with the installation, the equipment." Firefighters on the scene
said that an inverter was "sparking and unusable." The firefighters, with
the help of electricians, had to manually disconnect the 100-panel system
from the electrical grid before they could safely put out the fire. The fire
started while electricians were hooking up junction boxes on the system.
Earlier this month, a New Jersey General Assembly committee approved a bill
(A266) that would require buildings to clearly label with an exterior emblem
whether they have solar panels installed on the premises. The measure,
recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, is aimed at
protecting firefighters from dangers posed by solar panels. The greater
Assembly has yet to discuss the bill, but the New Jersey Senate version of
the bill (S507) was introduced in the Senate on Jan. 10, 2012 and is
currently being reviewed by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. .
Source: NJ.com, New Jersey Assembly Republicans, eLobbyist; Summary: PHOTON 

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/03/trenton_firefighters_battle
 _ro.html
<http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/03/trenton_firefighters_battle_ro.h
tml> 
 

http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=2862
<http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=2862> 
 

  _____  

 

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