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<TITLE>Re: [RE-wrenches] WOW Something Gone Very Wrong</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>That was my suspicion as well. Simple wiring mistake. Inadequate commissioning protocol.<BR>
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On 3/29/12 2:02 PM, "Bill Brooks" <<a href="billbrooks7@yahoo.com">billbrooks7@yahoo.com</a>> wrote:<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'><FONT COLOR="#1F497D">All,<BR>
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It is very likely that the something gone very wrong was a wiring mistake by the installing contractor. Many installers are clueless about the danger and consequences of getting the polarity wrong in strings or combiner box circuits. It is very likely that the contractor mixed up their combiner box circuits causing the combiner boxes and conductors to catch on fire as soon as the fuses were installed.<BR>
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Polarity should be checked and verified on all circuits a total of 2 or 3 times during the course of installation and commissioning. It is the single most important test from a safety point of view.<BR>
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Bill.<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'><B>From:</B> <a href="re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a> [<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <B>On Behalf Of </B>David Brearley<BR>
<B>Sent:</B> Thursday, March 29, 2012 8:25 AM<BR>
<B>To:</B> RE-wrenches<BR>
<B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches] WOW Something Gone Very Wrong<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>Perfect example of why it’s a good idea to start designing and deploying systems now that meet the fuse servicing requirements found in NEC 2011—even if these are not required by your AHJ yet. <BR>
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People on this list are probably ahead of that curve. If not, you might want to check out these articles:<BR>
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<a href="http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg14_QA_2&search=">http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg14_QA_2&search=</a> (Bill Brooks article on Fuse Servicing disconnect requirements)<BR>
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<a href="http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg64_Hren&search=">http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg64_Hren&search=</a> (Changes to Code in 2011; See content under “690.6, Fuses” subheading)<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor<BR>
<I>SolarPro</I> magazine <BR>
NABCEP Certified PV Installer ™<BR>
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On 3/29/12 9:36 AM, "Mark Frye" <<a href="markf@berkeleysolar.com">markf@berkeleysolar.com</a>> wrote:<BR>
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Rooftop solar installation sparks fires in Trenton, New Jersey</B></FONT><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> </FONT></SPAN><FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'>28.03.2012: According to local news portal NJ.com, a rooftop solar system has triggered several small fires at a recycling center in Trenton, New Jersey. The article reports that “a major malfunction in the rooftop solar panel…caused small fires and surges of electricity producing arcs of current to break out.” According to Fire Battalion Chief Rich Seeds, “There definitely was a problem with the installation, the equipment.” Firefighters on the scene said that an inverter was “sparking and unusable.” The firefighters, with the help of electricians, had to manually disconnect the 100-panel system from the electrical grid before they could safely put out the fire. The fire started while electricians were hooking up junction boxes on the system. Earlier this month, a New Jersey General Assembly committee approved a bill (A266) that would require buildings to clearly label with an exterior emblem whether they have solar panels installed on the premises. The measure, recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, is aimed at protecting firefighters from dangers posed by solar panels. The greater Assembly has yet to discuss the bill, but the New Jersey Senate version of the bill (S507) was introduced in the Senate on Jan. 10, 2012 and is currently being reviewed by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. … Source: NJ.com, New Jersey Assembly Republicans, eLobbyist; Summary: PHOTON</SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'> <BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'><FONT FACE="Arial"><B><a href="http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/03/trenton_firefighters_battle">http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/03/trenton_firefighters_battle</a><BR>
_ro.html</B></FONT><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> <<a href="http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/03/trenton_firefighters_battle_ro.html">http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/03/trenton_firefighters_battle_ro.html</a>> <BR>
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</FONT><FONT FACE="Arial"><B><a href="http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=2862">http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=2862</a></B></FONT><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"> <<a href="http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=2862">http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=2862</a>> <BR>
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</SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor<BR>
<I>SolarPro</I> magazine <BR>
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