[RE-wrenches] Stainless NEMA4x load center, SolarDeck w/ breakers

Drake drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org
Mon Apr 28 07:20:06 PDT 2014


The breakers in common commercially available 
outdoor breaker boxes are for dry locations only, and the boxes are NEMA 3R.

Mounting a breaker under a solar module could 
present a code problem, as the breakers are not readily available.

At 03:19 PM 4/24/2014, you wrote:
>If you are mounting under panels (which is my 
>preference to keep it out of the elements and 
>for aesthetics), I still recommend the Soladeck. 
>It accepts other DIN rail mounted breakers... shop around...
>
>
>Jason Szumlanski \Â Vice President
><http://s.wisestamp.com/links?url=http%3A%2F%2FFafcoSolar.com&sn=amFzb25Ac3p1bWxhbnNraS5jb20%3D>
>[]
>
>Tel: 239-574-1500
>Â
>
>
>On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 4:48 PM, Kirpal Khalsa 
><<mailto:solarworks at gmail.com>solarworks at gmail.com> wrote:
>Friends,
>I just discovered that Midnite Solar also has a 
>3 circuit combiner mountable down to a 3/12 
>pitch for AC micros at 240VAC. Â They have a 
>fingered buss bar that has offsets to catch 
>every other pole on the dual pole breaker 
>sets.....in addition it has their external 
>lockable, visible disconnect on the exterior of the box.......
>
>So am discovering that there are options......I 
>will probably use the midnite solar option as 
>the breakers are a small fraction of the cost of 
>the breakers used int he Soladeck...
>Thanks for all the help...
>Cheers,
>
>
>Sunny Regards,
>Kirpal Khalsa
>NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
>Renewable Energy Systems
><http://www.oregonsolarworks.com>www.oregonsolarworks.com
><tel:541-218-0201>541-218-0201 m
><tel:541-299-0402>541-299-0402 o
>
>
>On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 1:23 PM, Jason 
>Szumlanski <<mailto:jason at fafcosolar.com>jason at fafcosolar.com> wrote:
>While the interior of a raceway in a wet 
>location is considered a wet location, the 
>interior of a NEMA 3R enclosure is not.. The 
>breakers need not be listed for use in wet 
>locations. That's the interpretation of all area 
>AHJs here, and there is tons of evidence to 
>support this logical conclusion (NM cable into 
>exterior mounted NEMA 3R disconnects, switch 
>enclosures; NEMA 1 enclosures inside larger NEMA 3R enclosures, etc.)
>
>I hope I didn't just open a can or worms... :)
>
>Jason Szumlanski
>
>​Fafco Solar​
>
>
>
>On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 3:12 PM, Glenn Burt 
><<mailto:glenn..burt at glbcc.com>glenn.burt at glbcc.com> wrote:
>
>Are these breakers listed for use in wet locations?
>
>Â
>
>From: 
><mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
>[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] 
>On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski
>Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 1:51 PM
>To: <mailto:chris at solarandwindfx.com>chris at solarandwindfx.com; RE-wrenches
>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Stainless NEMA4x load center, SolarDeck w/ breakers
>
>Â
>
>Here is exactly what I ordered:
>
>Â
>
>(1) RST0760-41AD Soladeck AC/DC Combiner Box
>
>(1) RST0784AC-3K Soladeck AC 3 Circuit Busbar Kit
>
>(2) RST1455.20 ABB Mini Circuit Breaker 120/240VAC 20A
>
>(1) RST1455.15 ABB Mini Circuit Breaker 120/240VAC 15A
>
>(1) RST1440..080 Soladeck Power Block 600V 80A
>
>Â
>
>​This model has a cover that is bumped out to 
>fit breakers. Here is a pic of the closed up box.
>
>Â
>
>​
>Inline image 1
>
>
>Â
>
>Again, I'm not really happy with the way I 
>brought the Enphase cables into this 
>​Soladeck. The knockout center-points provided 
>by the manufacturer are too close together to 
>accommodate five water-tight glands, so I used 
>some offsets to make more space. If it wasn't my 
>own house, I would have wanted it to look much prettier for a customer.
>
>Â
>
>One thing I highly recommend is along the top 
>and sides to use sealant as indicated in the 
>manual, then sprinkle a generous amount of 
>granules in the sealant. Otherwise the cover and 
>your fingers get gummed up when taking the cover off.
>
>Â
>
>​The manufacturer's website and documentation 
>is woefully inadequate for this product. They 
>need to clarify it, obviously, based on this 
>discussion if they want to sell more. It's a great solution IMO.​
>
>Â
>
>Jason Szumlansk​i
>
>Fafco Solar
>
>Â
>
>Â
>
>On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 12:01 PM, Chris Schaefer 
><<mailto:chris at solarandwindfx.com>chris at solarandwindfx.com> wrote:
>
>Jason,
>
>Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  I love the picture. Just 
>ran into this a few days ago on an install. Had 
>two older SolarDeck Model 0780 in stock. I had 
>the same two pole breakers and attempted to 
>install them here in the shop before I went out 
>to the project as I was afraid their height 
>would not allow the cover to seal. And it did 
>not. It appears you have ABB breakers and I just 
>tried them and they don’t fit either. Now if 
>you look at your link it shows and states fuse 
>holders, which do fit. I’m wondering if the 
>newer models in your link are just a little bit 
>taller than the older models I had in stock. I 
>don’t see size specs on their web site. Can 
>you please provide the model# you show in your photo?
>
>Â
>
>Christopher Schaefer
>
>Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
>        Chris Schaefer’s
>
>SolarWindFX
>
>
>Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tel/Fax 
><tel:585-229-2083>585-229-2083 or Cell <tel:585-748-1870>585-748-1870Â
>
>Â Â Â Â Â 5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424
>
><http://www.solarandwindfx.com>www.solarandwindfx.com 
>~ E-mail: <mailto:chris at solarandwindfx.com>chris at solarandwindfx.com
>
>[]
>
>
>[]
>
>
>[]
>
>
>Â
>
>Â
>
>Â
>
>Â
>
>Â
>
>Â
>
>
>Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great 
>Constitution, once said, "democracy" will cease 
>to exist                    
>Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
>Â Â Â  Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
>when you take away from those who are willing to 
>work and give to those who would not."
>
>Â
>
>From: 
><mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
>[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] 
>On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski
>Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 11:36
>To: RE-wrenches
>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Stainless NEMA4x load center
>
>Â
>
>See my other response, but you should definitely 
>consider SolaDeck in this case.. You want 
>SolaDeck Model 0786-41. Make sure you order the 
>correct breakers, bus bars, and Neutral terminal block.
>
>Â
>
><http://www.rstcenterprises.com/soladeck/products/1741_combiner_enclosure.phtml>http://www.rstcenterprises.com/soladeck/products/1741_combiner_enclosure.phtml
>
>Â
>
>​The attached picture is the Soladeck on my 
>3-string ​Enphase system at home (note: 
>neutral block was not on DIN rail yet). There 
>are four neutrals on the bottom of the N block 
>because I center-fed one inverter string, so I 
>had four sets of Enphase cable coming into the 
>box, which is admittedly a little tight. If you 
>need to do this, I recommend transitioning to 
>THWN in a separate combiner and just bringing in 
>three strings through one or two conduits.
>
>Â
>
>Â
>
>​
>Inline image 1
>​
>
>Â
>
>Jason Szumlanski
>
>​Fafco Sola
>
>​r​
>
>Â
>
>On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 11:17 AM, Kirpal Khalsa 
><<mailto:solarworks at gmail.com>solarworks at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>Drake.....we want it to mount flush to the slope 
>of a sloped roof....The NEMA 3R are supposed to 
>be mounted vertically....This is for a large 
>residential Enphase system and we wanted to 
>combine the circuits on the roof and bring one set of conductors down.....
>
>I did find one custom made by Eaton(Cutler 
>Hammer), but....$952 my cost is too much..I have 
>had them make me one out of fiberglass in the 
>past but it is about 3 years into its roof mount 
>life and showing signs of UV 
>degradation...looking for other options....I 
>think i will dig a little deeper at Midnite 
>Solar.....They may have something....Theirs and 
>Outback's PV combiners are rated to be mounted 
>at a slope....i think it is down to 14 degrees pitch (3/12)
>
>Thanks.
>
>
>Sunny Regards,
>Kirpal Khalsa
>NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
>Renewable Energy Systems
><http://www.oregonsolarworks.com>www.oregonsolarworks.com
>
><tel:541-218-0201>541-218-0201 m
><tel:541-299-0402>541-299-0402 o
>
>Â
>
>On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 8:11 AM, Drake 
><<mailto:drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org>drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org> 
>wrote:
>
>That would be a nice piece of hardware. Is there 
>any reason you can't use a NEMA 3R panel?  They 
>are used on roofs quite a bit, and are readily 
>available.  The Square D, 8 space, outdoor box 
>should work in most rooftop environments for the purpose you describe.Â
>
>
>At 06:18 PM 4/21/2014, you wrote:
>
>Hello Friends!
>Anyone have a lead for NEMA 4x stainless load 
>centers (electrical panel)? Â Looking for 4 
>circuit version rated at about 60-100A @ 240VAC.
>
>
>Would like to use it for rooftop combiner for 3 
>Enphase inverter output circuits.
>Thank you!!
>
>Sunny Regards,
>Kirpal Khalsa
>NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
>Renewable Energy Systems
><http://www.oregonsolarworks.com>www.oregonsolarworks.com
><tel:541-218-0201>541-218-0201
>
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