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

[markf at berkeleysolar.com]

Any idea what the two silver cylinders in the upper left of the photo are
(sitting on top of the battery box)?


> 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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