[RE-wrenches] WOW Something Gone Very Wrong

[David Brearley]

That was my suspicion as well. Simple wiring mistake. Inadequate
commissioning protocol.


On 3/29/12 2:02 PM, "Bill Brooks" <billbrooks7 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> 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 it¹s 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&search=  (Bill
> Brooks article on Fuse Servicing disconnect requirements)
> 
> http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg64_Hren&search=  (Changes
> to Code in 2011; See content under ³690.6, Fuses² subheading)
> 
> David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor
> SolarPro magazine
> NABCEP Certified PV Installer 
> 
> 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 ³a major malfunction in the rooftop solar panelŠcaused small
> fires and surges of electricity producing arcs of current to break out.²
> According to Fire Battalion Chief Rich Seeds, ³There definitely was a problem
> with the installation, the equipment.² Firefighters on the scene said that an
> inverter was ³sparking and unusable.² 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. Š 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.htm
> l> 
>  
> 
> http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=2862
> <http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=2862>
>  
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
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> 
> David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor
> SolarPro magazine
> NABCEP Certified PV Installer 
> david.brearley at solarprofessional.com
> Direct: 541.261.6545
> Fax:  541.512.0343
> 
> Visit our Web site at solarprofessional.com
> 
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> 
> 

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