[RE-wrenches] Article 690, or The Haves Vs. Have Nots

[Ray Walters]

Hi Bill;

The 2014 NEC (coupled with rampant misinterpretation)  is accelerating 
an ever widening gap between those that have "code" and those that can't 
afford it.  On one side, US installers are forced to keep up with all 
the code changes, AHJs that don't understand solar, and sky rocketing 
insurance rates, all for the privilege to compete with the likes of 
Solar City, only to reap the ever shrinking profit margins in the end.
On the opposite front of solar are an ever increasing army of Do It 
Yourself Idiots (DIYI ?!) that are hooking inverters directly to large 
battery banks with car jumper cables, or plugging GT inverters into the 
grid with male/ male extension cords.   (there really should be a law 
against that)
So, apparently I work in the Purgatory of Solar, fixing imminently 
dangerous situations, and not really caring so much lately about the 
nuances of interpretation of the 2014 code.
For my money, 2008 code mixed with some 2011 as needed, seemed to be 
plenty safe without throwing the baby out with the bath water.

I'm glad to see you bring some sanity back to the playing field. I 
always appreciate your comments.

How about this Flying Cable, Dual Radian Install to stoke your code 
interpreting abilities:

The more you look, the wronger it gets.....the buss block in the air on 
the right carries several KW of PV array current.....
mmm, mmm, what's cookin'

R.Ray Walters

PS, I already had the project in Mexico, before this thread came out......

On 4/28/2014 5:57 PM, Bill Brooks wrote:
>
> Read 690.9(D) and 690.34. Not sure where this "hysteria---run for the 
> border" sentiment is coming from.
>
> *690.9(D) Photovoltaic Source and Output Circuits. *Listed PV
>
> overcurrent devices shall be required to provide overcurrent
>
> protection in PV source and output circuits. The overcurrent
>
> devices shall be accessible but shall not be required to
>
> be readily accessible.
>
> *690.34 Access to Boxes. *Junction, pull, and outlet boxes
>
> located behind modules or panels shall be so installed that
>
> the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible
>
> directly or by displacement of a module(s) or panel(s) secured
>
> by removable fasteners and connected by a flexible
>
> wiring system.
>
> This is not a change. Please help me understand the concern.
>
> Bill Brooks.
>
> *From:*re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Ray 
> Walters
> *Sent:* Monday, April 28, 2014 2:23 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] (no subject)
>
> Interesting so does "require a tool" include taking a screw off the 
> cover plate of the combiner box, too?
> What a game changer.  I'm going to Mexico for my next project; I'll 
> actually enjoy even more being the sole AHJ on the project.
>
> R.Ray Walters
> CTO, Solarray, Inc
> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
> Licensed Master Electrician
> Solar Design Engineer
> 303 505-8760
>
> On 4/28/2014 2:52 PM, Michael Morningstar wrote:
>
>     Readily accessible is now defined in the 2014 NEC. Installing
>     OCPD's underneath a module is a major faux paux, and I can't
>     imagine any AHJ thinking otherwise. Having to remove a module in
>     order to reset a breaker, what a drag.
>
>     "Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal or
>     inspection without requiring those concerned to use a tool, to
>     climb over, remove obstacle or other."
>
>     Michael
>
>
>
>     On Apr 28, 2014, at 10:29 AM, William Miller
>     <william at millersolar.com <mailto:william at millersolar.com>> wrote:
>
>
>
>         You call it a solar panel, I call it a glass j-box cover plate.
>
>         William
>
>         Miller Solar
>
>
>             On Apr 28, 2014, at 9:21 AM, Jason Szumlanski
>             <jason at fafcosolar.com <mailto:jason at fafcosolar.com>> wrote:
>
>             If that is the interpretation,
>             I don't see how the breakers are "readily accessible" in a
>             SolaDeck
>             mounted anywhere, regardless of whether it is under a
>             module. It
>             requires removal of four screws (using a tool) to access
>             the breakers
>             inside the enclosure. It's all up to the AHJ. It has not
>             been an issue
>             locally here. I can see how other jurisdictions may not
>             concur.
>

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