[RE-wrenches] Line side taps in Hawai'i

[Dave Click]

Square D probably has a similar "solar-ready" panel; I remember seeing 
some monster (4' tall? they were big) Cutler Hammer panelboards at SPI 
2010 that had it too. On my house I have a Square D RC2M200S which has 
simply a 200A main plus a 2P 50A breaker (perfect for PV). This is a 
much smaller enclosure (18"H x 20"W) than some others I've seen, but 
with limited functionality; no load breakers can be added here which can 
be a problem when using it in a retrofit.

This is an issue for the combination service entrance devices as the 
conductors from the utility meter load terminals to the main breaker are 
factory-installed and can't be touched. I did an inspection two years 
ago where the installing contractor's solution was to interconnect the 
PV on the utility side of the meter. This is not a solution.

If the issue is that "nobody is allowing line side" connections then 
you're sorta stuck. As for why the AHJ wouldn't allow it, they should be 
willing to share their justification with you! If the issue is as 
Jeffrey's encountered-- they're requiring listed enclosures where 
line-side connections are made-- then you can get around it either with 
these Milbank dual lugs

http://www.milbankmfg.com/products/Catalogs/CatalogFiles/PDF/K4977.pdf#Tap%20Connector

or the aforementioned Cutler Hammer or Square D panels. It may be that 
they've heard about the "listed enclosure" requirement and naively 
generalized it beyond code requirements. If they're asking for service 
upgrades, then perhaps they're thinking that a 200A service + 100A PV 
requires a 300A service-- if it's not battery backup, a simple power 
flow diagram may prove to them that a 200A service is perfectly adequate.

On 2012/5/19 17:52, JRQ wrote:
> I had a similar problem working in San Diego. SDG&E insisted that no
> taps could be performed in an enclosure unless the contractor could
> supply documentation that the enclosure was specifically listed for a
> tap, or if an electrical engineer supplied stamped drawings of the tap.
> I never did a project that warranted hiring an engineer, so I don't know
> what they were looking for there.
>
> I heard that Square D (or maybe it was one of the other companies) has a
> new "solar-ready" service panel with a lug on the line side for a solar
> input. You could use the same feeders and service size with a new panel.
>
> Jeffrey Quackenbush
> NABCEP certified PV installer
> Peripatetic Solar Technician
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* James Rudolph <jamesrudolph99 at gmail.com>
> *To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10:48 PM
> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Line side taps in Hawai'i
>
> Aloha Wrenches,
>
> I have recently started working in Hawaii on the island of Oahu and have
> run into some interesting problems with the AHJ's. The biggest issue is
> nobody is allowing line side taps on the island, so most of are larger
> systems are requiring service upgrades, this also requires replacing the
> feeder of course and plenty of trenching which adds so much time and
> cost to the whole process.. Now I know Bill Brooks was on island
> recently and and this seems to have done no good. I was wondering if
> anybody can shed some light on this issue and the reasons why they would
> not allow this code compliant option. This is allowed on commercial
> systems here just not residential to be clear.
>
> And If your out there Bill, do you have any suggestions on how to
> approach this matter with the local inspectors???
>
> Mahalo,
>
> --
> *
> James B Rudolph*
> *Heleakala Solar* *
> *
> *Director of Construction*
> *NABCEP Certified PV Installer*
> *
> *
> *
> *
> *
>
> *Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer
> fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous
> fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers
> more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!
> - William McDonough
>
>
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