<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif"><div class="gmail_default" style="display:inline">"</div><span style="font-family:arial">An AC breaker is far more likely to trip than a DC string fuse"</span><br>
</div><div><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif">I completely disagree. We have never, not once, had to reset a tripped inverter output circuit AC breaker that I know of, but have replaced many dozens of DC string fuses and GFCI fuses in inverters, most of the time for undiagnosed failures. There is a reason we keep a good supply of 1A, 15A, and 20A Littlefuses in a drawer here.</div>
<br><div id="WISESTAMP_SIG_gmail_session"><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><div style="margin:0px 0px 8px"><p style="margin:0px"><span><span>Jason Szumlanski</span></span></p><p style="margin:0px">
<br> </p><div style="clear:both"></div></div><img src="https://wisestamp.appspot.com/pixview.gif?p=chrome&v=3.32.0&t=1398867063499&u=d0c775731865b324" width="1" height="1"></div></div><div class="gmail_extra">
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Apr 30, 2014 at 9:56 AM, Drake <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:drake.chamberlin@redwoodalliance.org" target="_blank">drake.chamberlin@redwoodalliance.org</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-style:solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div>
There are good reasons to want to put AC combiners under modules, but
some reasons not to want to. <div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;display:inline"></div>An AC breaker is far more likely to trip
than a DC string fuse, due to the surge availability. As a PV system is
designed to last a minimum of 25 years, the installer might not be the
one to sort out problems decades down the line. <br><br>
A strategy I prefer would be to use a SolaDeck as a junction box. Run
small wires to a convenient AC combiner location. <br><div class=""><br>
<br>
At 12:43 PM 4/29/2014, you wrote:<br>
</div><blockquote type="cite"><div class="">Dave<br><br>
I agree, in the case of microinverters, you already have a main PV System
disconnect at the Load Panel to shut down the system that is readily
accesible. I would consider the disconnect on the roof as a
supplemental disconnect for the purposes of maintenance by authorized
personal that only needs to be accessible. <br><br>
Bill<br><br>
<br>
On Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 8:44 AM, Dave Click
<<a href="mailto:daveclick@fsec.ucf.edu" target="_blank">daveclick@fsec.ucf.edu</a>
> wrote:<br>
</div><dl>
<dd><div class="">I think 240.24(A)(4) allows the installation of the inverter OCPDs in
the SolaDeck hidden under a module.<br><br>
</div></dd><dd><div class="">240.24 Location in or on Premises.<br>
</div></dd><dd><div class="">(A) Accessibility. Overcurrent devices shall be readily
accessible and shall be installed so that the center of the grip of the
operating handle of the switch or circuit breaker, when in its highest
position, is not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) above the floor or working
platform, unless one of the following applies:<br>
</div></dd><dd>...<br>
</dd><dd><div class="">(4) For overcurrent devices adjacent to utilization equipment that
they supply, access shall be permitted to be by portable means.<br><br>
<br>
</div></dd><dd><div class="">And if panelboards / fused safety switches are allowed to have
screwed-down covers over the OCPDs, I'd think that installing a removable
module over these OCPDs would meet NEC. I guess an AHJ could argue that
this requires TWO covers be removed, unlike a panelboard or a
switch.<br><br>
</div></dd><dd>DKC<br><br>
<br>
</dd><dd><div class="">On 2014/4/29, 11:15, Jason Szumlanski wrote:<br>
</div><blockquote type="cite">
<dd><div class="">690.9(D) is not applicable to the original discussion because we were
talking about an Inverter output circuit, not a PV Source or Output
circuit.<br><br>
</div></dd><dd><div class="">690.34 may apply if you call a SolaDeck with breakers a junction box,
but I can see that being a stretch in the mind of many. <br><br>
</div></dd><dd><div class="">My and Ray's question about the screws on the SolaDeck cover itself
requiring a tool to render it accessible is still an issue if the
breakers themselves need to be "readily accessible," but that
would also apply to a Midnite MNPV, which also has a cover with a
screw.<br><br>
<br>
</div></dd><dd>Jason Szumlanski<br>
<dl><br><div><div class="h5">
<dd>On 4/28/2014 5:57 PM, Bill Brooks wrote:<br>
<blockquote type="cite"><br>
<dd>Read 690.9(D) and 690.34. Not sure where this “hysteriarun for the
border” sentiment is coming from.<br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd>690.9(D) Photovoltaic Source and Output Circuits. Listed
PV<br><br>
</dd><dd>overcurrent devices shall be required to provide overcurrent<br><br>
</dd><dd>protection in PV source and output circuits. The overcurrent<br><br>
</dd><dd>devices shall be accessible but shall not be required to<br><br>
</dd><dd>be readily accessible.<br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd>690.34 Access to Boxes. Junction, pull, and outlet boxes<br><br>
</dd><dd>located behind modules or panels shall be so installed that<br><br>
</dd><dd>the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible<br><br>
</dd><dd>directly or by displacement of a module(s) or panel(s)
secured<br><br>
</dd><dd>by removable fasteners and connected by a flexible<br><br>
</dd><dd>wiring system.<br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd>This is not a change. Please help me understand the concern.<br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd>Bill Brooks.<br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd>From:
<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">
re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>
[<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">
mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] On Behalf Of
Ray Walters<br>
</dd><dd>Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 2:23 PM<br>
</dd><dd>To: RE-wrenches<br>
</dd><dd>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] (no subject)<br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd>Interesting so does "require a tool" include taking a screw
off the cover plate of the combiner box, too?<br>
</dd><dd>What a game changer. I'm going to Mexico for my next project;
I'll actually enjoy even more being the sole AHJ on the project.
<br>
<br><br>
</dd><dd><pre>R.Ray
Walters</pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br>
</dd><dd><pre>CTO, Solarray,
Inc</pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br>
</dd><dd><pre>Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
</pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br>
</dd><dd><pre>Licensed Master
Electrician</pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br>
</dd><dd><pre>Solar Design
Engineer</pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br>
</dd><dd><pre><a href="tel:303%20505-8760" target="_blank">303
505-8760</a></pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br>
</dd><dd>On 4/28/2014 2:52 PM, Michael Morningstar wrote:<br>
<dl><br>
<dd>Readily accessible is now defined in the 2014 NEC. Installing OCPD’s
underneath a module is a major faux paux, and I can’t imagine any AHJ
thinking otherwise. Having to remove a module in order to reset a
breaker, what a drag.<br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd>"Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal or
inspection without requiring those concerned to use a tool, to climb
over, remove obstacle or other.”<br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd>Michael<br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
</dd><dd> <br><br>
<br><br>
</dd><dd>On Apr 28, 2014, at 10:29 AM, William Miller
<<a href="mailto:william@millersolar.com" target="_blank">william@millersolar.com</a>
> wrote:<br><br>
<br><br>
<dl>
<dd>You call it a solar panel, I call it a glass j-box cover plate.
<br><br>
</dd><dd>William<br><br>
</dd><dd>Miller Solar<br><br>
<br>
<dl>
<dd>On Apr 28, 2014, at 9:21 AM, Jason Szumlanski
<<a href="mailto:jason@fafcosolar.com" target="_blank">jason@fafcosolar.com</a>>
wrote:<br><br>
</dd><dd>If that is the interpretation,<br>
</dd><dd>I don't see how the breakers are "readily accessible" in a
SolaDeck<br>
</dd><dd>mounted anywhere, regardless of whether it is under a module. It<br>
</dd><dd>requires removal of four screws (using a tool) to access the
breakers<br>
</dd><dd>inside the enclosure. It's all up to the AHJ. It has not been an
issue<br>
</dd><dd>locally here. I can see how other jurisdictions may not<br>
</dd><dd>concur. <br>
</dd></dl></dd></dl></dd></dl></dd></blockquote></dd></div></div></dl></dd></blockquote></dd></dl></blockquote>
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