[RE-wrenches] PV Wiring methods

Jesse Dahl dahlsolar at gmail.com
Tue Nov 19 10:08:33 PST 2013


August,

Timely question. I am working with a TenK solar array right now and the wire management from TenK is poor. From the combiner to the inverter they have #2 CU in free air. It looks ugly. The inverter won't allow for one raceway with both conductors plus ground. If each could be installed in their own raceway it would work, would look much better and be safer (IMHO). 

Jesse

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 19, 2013, at 11:38 AM, August Goers <august at luminalt.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi All –
>  
> On a related note, I’ve become good friends with some of the inspectors in San Francisco and they called me yesterday with a question. Is it okay to run individual DC conductors through EMT for wire management purposes? We have always run paired positive and negative conductors in conduit so the question had never occurred to me. Obviously, you have to bond both ends of the conduit if it is over 250 v. I know that AC would have induction issues with running individual conductors but I’m not sure with DC.
>  
> Thanks,
>  
> August
>  
>  
> August Goers
> Principal
> Luminalt Energy Corporation
> o: 415.641.4000
> m: 415.559.1525
> www.luminalt.com
>  
>  
>  
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller
> Sent: Monday, November 18, 2013 11:33 PM
> To: 'RE-wrenches'
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] PV Wiring methods
>  
> Bill:
>  
> There is no need to stuff MC4 cables into standard conduit.  You can either slot the pipe using our easy method or install bulkhead type connectors.  The connectors are readily available.  I get them from PV Cables in Northern California..
>  
> Wire routing problems and some solutions can be found on our web-site:
>  
> http://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/practices/PV_wiring/_PV_Wiring2.html
>  
> Since the industry won’t provide wire management solutions, we are making our own.  Questions:  Just write or call.
>  
> William Miller
>  
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of frenergy
> Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 7:46 AM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] PV Wiring methods
>  
> William, Bill....from another Bill,
>  
>         Two things:  For the rest of us (maybe it's just me?!) that's still trying to figure out how (or why) to stuff a MC4 connector into conduit and my hesitation in using SS wire ties for fear of the sharp edges cutting or chaffing into cables, I'm open for advice. Any wire I use on the roof is rated for that type of service and I have some off-grid systems that have been in the sun for some 25 years where the wire still looks nearly new even when flexing it to look for checking/cracks.  It seems the wire/insulation can take it, thus it seems like the key to "wire management is to keep the wire from moving and off the roof, secured to the racking, thus not compromising the insulation. 
>  
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