[RE-wrenches] EGC for Enphases

[Jason Szumlanski]

I think what Dave is saying is that the enphase cable neutral is connected
to the EGC in the roof mounted j-box, and no neutral is run to the Lennox
panel or disconnect. While the neutral should not carry line current under
normal operation, Enphase calls it a neutral - look up the NEC definition
of neutral. I can see an AHJ having reservations about this, whether the
"combined Neutral/EGC/GEC" is bare or insulated.

I would not waste time trying to argue this with the AHJ. I would bring
three current carrying conductors plus a combined EGC/GEC to the main
distribution panel, just like every other Enphase job we do.

I spend a fair amount of time explaining how this solar powered air
conditioner is nothing revolutionary, except for the creative marketing.
Anyone out there try to team up with a HVAC company to market any A/C unit
as solar powered?

Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar
On Jul 5, 2013 5:14 PM, "August Goers" <august at luminalt.com> wrote:

> Hi Dave,
>
> I'm not sure I'm understanding your scenario clearly but I'll take a crack
> at it. The Enphase system should have a bare #6 GEC for each micro and can
> then transition to a #8 green GEC once in conduit and run all the way back
> to the main ground electrode system. The #6 and #8 should be irreversibly
> crimped together since the GEC needs to be continuous. Certainly it is not
> okay for the neutral in the Lennox panel to be bare unless it is somehow a
> main panel. You could run the DC GEC along with the other conductors and
> it can serve as a dual purpose GEC and equipment grounding conductor per
> 2011 NEC 690.47(C)(3).
>
> Best,
>
> August
> -----Original Message-----
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dave Click
> Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 6:26 AM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] EGC for Enphases
>
> All,
>
> I was just looking at small 4-module Andalay (Enphase 190) system tying
> into one of the Lennox solar-ready air conditioners. The engineer had
> specified the 690.47(C) GEC be run directly from the array down to the
> existing electrode. Running from the inverters is a 2+G wire to the Lennox
> panel; they are using the uninsulated ground as the circuit neutral. It
> seems to me that this violates 200.7 (grounded conductor marked white or
> grey). Also, 250.134(B) (EGC run with circuit conductors), about which the
> engineer states "I have been studying the NEC on this and I believe that
> the intent is to permit the ground to be carried with the current carrying
> conductors, not require."
>
> Am I missing something?
>
> Thanks,
> Dave
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