[RE-wrenches] Source Circuit Disconnect - 690.14 (C)(1)

Wed Jan 6 08:38:57 PST 2016

Carl, Pat,

         I guess I'm somewhere in between.  We have /alway/s installed a 
touchsafe/fused disco on the roof adjacent to the array, no matter how 
many strings and dive into the attic (if there is one) from there.  I 
don't think I've ever put a disco in the attic, the roof seems more 
accessible, visible. Why always install a disco on the roof?...just the 
way I am and have been doing it long before the 2014NEC rapid shutdown 
(still working with 2011 here). I like the idea of being able to stop 
power from entering the house envelope.  Most times this (getting into 
the attic) is most sensible here due to snow, as in sliding/creeping snow.

         Somewhat related:  I recently got a call from a new 
PV-on-the-roof installation, you know that dreaded one: " There's a leak 
coming from the can light over my sink which is just below the PVs you 
installed on my roof last month"  I went out there that day, climbed 
into the attic and after looking at all the "evidence" came up with 
this: Most can lights have the insulation removed from that immediate 
area so the "can" is exposed to unconditioned attic temps which around 
here have been in the teens, any moisture from cooking in the kitchen 
would rise, enter the can and freeze...I came down from the attic armed 
with my explanation and alas, much pasta had been cooked and then 
strained in the sink the prior night.  By the time I had arrived the 
dripping had stopped because their turning on the light that morning was 
enough to melt the frost in the can and produce a few minutes of 
dripping....enough dripping to call me (I must have been on their speed 
dial!).

Happy New Year all,

Bill

Feather River Solar Electric

On 1/5/2016 10:47 AM, Patrick Shortell wrote:
> Hi Carl,
> I've moved away from this type of installation since alot of the 
> inspectors in this area just don't like it.
> I avoid getting into "code confrontations" with them and prefer to 
> impress them rather than depress them.
> Have you looked at article 110 regarding working clearances?
> Also I've considered a cut in the insulation of a ungrounded source 
> circuit conductor in grounded metal conduit inside a dwelling.
> Maybe i'm looking to deeply into it but I'd rather keep source circuit 
> conductors on the exterior of a dwelling.
> It's hard to back track with the customer when he's been sold on the 
> conduit being hidden and then having to eventually concede to the AHJ.
> Sometimes having your inspector review your installation plan before 
> you install builds a good solid relationship with him and avoids 
> costly reworking.
> I'd rather be happy than right.
> Just Saying
> Pat
>
> On Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 10:58 AM, Carl Adams <swingjunkie at gmail.com 
> <mailto:swingjunkie at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>     Fellow Wrenches,
>
>     We recently failed an inspection on a new PV installation
>     We are operating under the 2008 code
>     I have attached a small sketch of our conduit routing to clarify
>     things.
>
>     Inspectors note post inspection ...provide a photovoltaic
>     disconnecting means per 690.14 (C)(1)
>
>     During his inspection the inspector was unhappy that we had
>     entered the attic space with the DC source circuits, saying we
>     should have run the conduit across the roof and kept it outside. 
>     Since we entered the building we would need to add a DC disconnect
>     in the attic to meet code.  My thought is that we fall under the
>     exception listed (690.31(E)) since all source circuit internal to
>     the dwelling are in metallic raceways.  I'd like to hear other
>     wrenches chime in on this.
>
>     Our reason for routing things as we did was to keep the
>     installation aesthetics first class and minimize unsightly conduit
>     runs.
>
>     Code section follows
>
>     690.14 Additional Provisions. Photovoltaic disconnecting
>     means shall comply with 690.14(A) through (D).690.14
>
>     (C) Requirements for Disconnecting Means. Means
>     shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building
>     or other structure from the photovoltaic system conductors.
>     (1) Location. The photovoltaic disconnecting means shall
>     be installed at a readily accessible location either on the
>     outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point
>     of entrance of the system conductors.
>     Exception: Installations that comply with 690.31(E) shall
>     be permitted to have the disconnecting means located remote
>     from the point of entry of the system conductors.
>     The photovoltaic system disconnecting means shall not
>     be installed in bathrooms.
>
>      690.31 (E) reads as follows
>     (E) Direct-Current Photovoltaic Source and Output
>     Circuits Inside a Building. Where direct-current photovoltaic
>     source or output circuits of a utility-interactive inverter
>     from a building-integrated or other photovoltaic system are
>     run inside a building or structure, they shall be contained in
>     metal raceways, or metal enclosures, from the point of penetration
>     of the surface of the building or structure to the
>     first readily accessible disconnecting means. The disconnecting
>     means shall comply with 690.14(A) through (D).
>
>
>     With Regards
>     Carl Adams, President
>     SunRock Solar, LLC
>     513.290.9072 <tel:513.290.9072> (cell)
>     513.766.6025 <tel:513.766.6025> (office)
>
>
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> -- 
> Patrick A. Shortell
> /Licensed Master Electrician/
> /Certified Solar Installer/
> 71 Oregon Street
> Long Beach N.Y. 11561
> cell: 516-477-0221
>
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