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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>Thanks Bill. It's the "Claim Dance" that concerns
me.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>I sent an inquiry to AEI Tech Support asking about
the grounding status of the Array during operation. It was a simple question:
<FONT color=#000000 size=3 face="Times New Roman">Regarding AEI Solaron PV
Systems: Is the PV array normally grounded during
operation?</FONT><BR></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>I would be more than happy to share the response
except for the little "you might get sued" notice at the bottom of their
response... </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010><Start Quote></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#000000 size=3 face="Times New Roman">This
message, including any attachments, may contain information that is confidential
and proprietary information of <SPAN
class=453545613-04052010><REDACTED></SPAN>, Inc. The dissemination,
distribution, use or copying of this message or any of its attachments is
strictly prohibited without the express written consent of <SPAN
class=453545613-04052010><REDACTED></SPAN>, Inc.
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010><SPAN class=453545613-04052010><End
Quote></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial><SPAN class=453545613-04052010><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>Their response is that the arrays are NOT
ground referenced during operation. Specifically that the array is floating
during operation. The neutral conductors are grounded when the system
is not operating. </SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT color=navy size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: navy; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></FONT> </P><FONT
color=navy size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: navy; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>This information suggests that 690.35 is in play.
</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>All of the AEI system designs that I have seen only
have OCP & Disconnecting means in non-neutral conductors. How did that
happen? These things have been in the field now for 3 years. How does it still
keep happening?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>In light of the information above, do you (or anybody)
still think the neutral conductors should be marked white?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>I am not opposed to bi-polar or floating arrays.
Frankly, I believe that properly designed and installed floating arrays are
inherently safer than grounded arrays. My primary concern is that some/most/all
of the AEI systems going in these days may not be properly designed and
installed, per 690.35.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>I have additional concerns around whether or not the
arrays are actually operating at >600V, which would require >600V fuses,
disconnects, cables, modules.... You get the picture. </SPAN></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=453545613-04052010>I have personally
done some testing <EM>(on systems with inverter-integral PV
tie)</EM> which indicates that the arrays are NOT operating at >600V. I
have questions about whether or not my Fluke picks up actual voltage in a
high-freq switched array, but I can state conclusively that I never saw voltages
>600V in any portion of the arrays during operation. <EM>(Read this as "I'm
less concerned about this issue than the previous")</EM> I have NOT performed
these same tests on a system equipped with the Remote PV Tie, and am reserving
an opinion on that until I do or someone can conclusively demonstrate that
system voltage is <600V.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>I have followed up with a request for AEI's
position on the 690.35 matter as well as their recommendation(s) for marking of
the neutral conductors. I guess I will have to follow up with a request to
disseminate, too.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>Opinions & thoughts?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010>-Matt</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=453545613-04052010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> Bill Brooks [mailto:billbrooks7@yahoo.com]
<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, May 03, 2010 5:17 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
gilligan06@gmail.com; 'RE-wrenches'<BR><B>Subject:</B> RE: [RE-wrenches] AEI
Solaron Inverters - DC Grounded or Ungrounded<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Matt,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">They
claim to use a bi-polar array with 600Vdc per pole. All bipolar arrays must be
grounded, so they must be grounded. They claim to be grounded through the ac
service transformer while operating. They are fundamentally similar to many
ungrounded designs. So, it IS grounded during operation every time the
transistor closes, which is very fast, so they don’t spend much time ungrounded
during operation—maybe never because they are operating on 3 phases. The
neutrals would have to be white.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Bill.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV
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<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">
re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Matt
Lafferty<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, May 03, 2010 1:28 PM<BR><B>To:</B> RE
Wrenches<BR><B>Subject:</B> [RE-wrenches] AEI Solaron Inverters - DC Grounded or
Ungrounded<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Wrenches,</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Can anyone
DEFINITIVELY tell me whether the DC systems on AEI Solaron based
plants is grounded or ungrounded during operation?
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Have you tested your
theory in the field? What marking requirements do you suggest for the
neutrals?</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Thanks!</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Matt
Lafferty</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
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