[RE-wrenches] Battery RSD

Tue Jul 29 13:12:28 PDT 2025

🤦🏻‍♂️ ugh these building departments..!  I’m very surprised that they’re
requiring the battery conductors to open. I don’t think they understand the
gravity of what they’re saying

On Tue, Jul 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM MD Electric & Solar <
mdelectricsolar at gmail.com> wrote:

> David,
> We already have an RSD system installed, it shuts down the tigo's on the
> rooftop and it shuts down the AC output of the inverter, making the home
> safe for firefighters. I can't imagine what an additional battery shut down
> could do for safety, at 48V DC nominal?
> But we must comply with the AHJ........
>
> I priced (online) an Eaton 100amp 600V DC rated knife switch NEMA 3R,
> $4000.00....ouch
>
> Mike
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 29, 2025 at 10:41 AM david quattro <david at quattrosolar.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I use the SolArk 12v micro-circuit that triggers RSD.  hopefully that’s
>> all they’re looking for, is to kill ESS and solar DC.   When using
>> plunger-type, or single gang it’s easy.   But when they require a knife
>> blade style switch it’s tricky (with SolArk and Midnite).  This is because
>> in order to deenergize ESS/RSD you have to *complete* the micro circuit.
>>    Eaton makes a Nema4 switch that can be turned upside down.   that puts
>> the red handle on the left side, which is unusual but I’ve done it, and I
>> don’t think it violates any requirement.
>>    otherwise you’re stuck using an ice cube relay.  Initiating RSD is
>> easy, but getting everything to turn back on is harder.   Feel free to call
>> me if you want
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jul 29, 2025 at 9:46 AM MD Electric & Solar via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Wondering if Midnight solar makes something outdoor rated, with a
>>> typical 250ADC breaker, like this:
>>> Outdoor rated, lockable....
>>>
>>> https://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=76&productCat_ID=8&sortOrder=5&act=p
>>>
>>> On Tue, Jul 29, 2025 at 9:39 AM jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Maybe if you left the key on a chain to open the door, and placard with
>>>> instructions on the outside that would work?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Jul 29, 2025, at 10:23 AM, MD Electric & Solar <
>>>> mdelectricsolar at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Correct, it does not have an external disconnect, but if you open the
>>>> cover, each battery has it's own disconnect and the Sol-Ark has a battery
>>>> disconnect.
>>>> Looks like I'm in the market for a 100 amp rated outdoor, lockable DC
>>>> rated knife switch.
>>>> Mike
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Jul 29, 2025 at 9:16 AM jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I had to look up that battery enclosure and if I understand correctly
>>>>> it does not have an external breaker/disconnect so yes the inspector is
>>>>> correct in the need for one if I understand.
>>>>>
>>>>> jay
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Jul 29, 2025, at 10:09 AM, MD Electric & Solar <
>>>>> mdelectricsolar at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Here is the reference, attached.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Jul 29, 2025 at 8:49 AM jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I’ll let the code experts chime in, but I would ask for the code
>>>>>> reference they are referring to.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The only one I can think of has to do with if the batteries are on
>>>>>> the other side of a wall.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  Thats as clean an install as they come
>>>>>>
>>>>>> jay
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > On Jul 29, 2025, at 9:43 AM, MDElectricSolar <
>>>>>> mdelectricsolar at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > <image0.jpeg>
>>>>>> > Michael D Nelson
>>>>>> > MD Electric & Solar, Inc.
>>>>>> > 707-684-0064 mobile
>>>>>> > 707-884-1862 office
>>>>>> > www.mdelectricsolar.com
>>>>>> > www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> >> On Jul 29, 2025, at 8:06 AM, Jay via RE-wrenches <
>>>>>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>>>> >>
>>>>>> >> What is the layout of the equipment
>>>>>> >>
>>>>>> >> Are the batteries next to and therefore in sight of the inverter?
>>>>>> >>
>>>>>> >> Jay
>>>>>> >>
>>>>>> >>> On Jul 29, 2025, at 8:44 AM, MDElectricSolar via RE-wrenches <
>>>>>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>>>>> >>>
>>>>>> >>> Wrenches,
>>>>>> >>> I have a building inspector in my county of Sonoma who has just
>>>>>> told me that we need to install a rapid shutdown switch of some type
>>>>>> between my LFZ battery bank and my Solark 15k inverter. He mentioned some
>>>>>> type of knife switch within 5 feet of the equipment. I cannot find any
>>>>>> reference to this requirement anywhere but he insists it is required. These
>>>>>> batteries happen to be simplify or brakes and Stratton batteries and each
>>>>>> battery has its own 80 amp breaker on the battery and the Solark has a
>>>>>> battery disconnect switch built-in. We do have module level RSD which kills
>>>>>> the solar output as well as the inverter output when the button is pushed.
>>>>>> Does anyone have any experience with this or can they point me to the
>>>>>> correct code section or what are others doing to comply with this
>>>>>> requirement?
>>>>>> >>>
>>>>>> >>>
>>>>>> >>> Michael D Nelson
>>>>>> >>> MD Electric & Solar, Inc.
>>>>>> >>> 707-684-0064 mobile
>>>>>> >>> 707-884-1862 office
>>>>>> >>> www.mdelectricsolar.com
>>>>>> >>> www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar
>>>>>> >>>
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>>>>>> >> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Michael D Nelson
>>>>> MD Electric & Solar Inc.
>>>>> Office: 707-412-3181
>>>>> Cell: 707-684-0064
>>>>> www.mdelectricsolar.com
>>>>> www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> <PRMD BLD_20250728_062230.pdf>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Michael D Nelson
>>>> MD Electric & Solar Inc.
>>>> Office: 707-412-3181
>>>> Cell: 707-684-0064
>>>> www.mdelectricsolar.com
>>>> www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Michael D Nelson
>>> MD Electric & Solar Inc.
>>> Office: 707-412-3181
>>> Cell: 707-684-0064
>>> www.mdelectricsolar.com
>>> www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar
>>>
>>>
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>>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
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>
> --
> Michael D Nelson
> MD Electric & Solar Inc.
> Office: 707-412-3181
> Cell: 707-684-0064
> www.mdelectricsolar.com
> www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar
>
>
>
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