[RE-wrenches] Rapid Shutdown Battery Systems

[jay]

I agree but how you shut it down is very different.

We can shut down BB inverter from the AC side as well.  
Much easier, cheaper and does the same job.

my 2 cents.
jay

peltz power




> On Aug 26, 2015, at 4:41 PM, Tump <tump at swnl.net> wrote:
> 
> Rapid shut down, should be the direction we as off/grid or on grid BB installers should be moving towards..... kinda like my flashing rant, we are in the 21st century and we ARE professionals!  We as an industry should be more concerned about fire fighters and their safety BEFORE they goose step their ideas into industry requirements, like they did in Mass. Educating your fire fighters as to the location of the bird house and locking it would be a quick solution to the malicious shutting off of a system. FF do carry and do use bolt cutters.
> 
> On Aug 26, 2015, at 7:26 PM, Ray Walters wrote:
> 
>> I spoke with Phil Undercuffler from Outback, who is a long term respected member of our list (and nice guy).  He basically said there is a lot of misinformation on 690.12, but essentially it should only be applied to roof mounted PV, and that it is specifically to address firefighters' need to quickly vent the roof in the event of a fire. This original intent has nothing to do with ground mounted PV, batteries, backup inverter power, etc.  Bill's more encompassing interpretation holds solar installers to a much higher standard than other electrical installations.  UPS and backup generator systems for instance, that do not include PV, do not have to worry about Rapid Shutdown.
>> 690.71 requiring a disconnect near the batteries, is still applicable, but it is really unclear how exactly the 5 ft should be measured.  The battery combiner box from Midnite is what I was looking for, Thanks Tump.  I plan to have breakers on the 2 separate parallel battery strings, so I think I will be able to make the 5 ft rule.  Before, the furthest inverter disconnect was definitely going to be beyond 5 ft from the battery.  I am still considering including the battery disconnects in the Rapid Shutdown system, but as Phil pointed out: this defeats the purpose of having a backup system, if anyone can just walk up to the outside of the house, push a button, and shut down all your critical loads.  
>> Once again, its all going to come down to the AHJ's view, though I will do my part to put him in touch with folks like Phil, who as the manufacturer's rep of the UL listed product has some say on how their equipment is to be installed.
>> R.Ray Walters
>> CTO, Solarray, Inc
>> Nabcep Certified PV Installer, 
>> Licensed Master Electrician
>> Solar Design Engineer
>> 303 505-8760
>