[RE-wrenches] WOW Something Gone Very Wrong

[Brian Mehalic]

Hmm...no voltage...must've left the fuse out of this holder...lemme just
open it up a take a quick looksie....

On Thu, Mar 29, 2012 at 3:41 PM, David Brearley <
david.brearley at solarprofessional.com> wrote:

>  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<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&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 “690.6, Fuses” 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 “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.html>
>
>
>
> *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
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-- 
========================
Brian Mehalic
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ R031508-59
IREC ISPQ Certified Affiliated Instructor/PV US-0132
PV Curriculum Developer and Instructor
Solar Energy International
Carbondale, CO 81623
http://www.solarenergy.org
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