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Inverter ground fault fuses certainly do blow. What is causing your
string fuses to go? <br><br>
<br>
At 10:17 AM 4/30/2014, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">"<br>
An AC breaker is far more likely to trip than a DC string
fuse"<br><br>
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.<br><br>
Jason Szumlanski<br><br>
<br>
<br><br>
<br>
On Wed, Apr 30, 2014 at 9:56 AM, Drake
<<a href="mailto:drake.chamberlin@redwoodalliance.org">
drake.chamberlin@redwoodalliance.org</a>> wrote:<br>
<dl>
<dd>There are good reasons to want to put AC combiners under modules, but
some reasons not to want to. <br>
<dd><br>
<dd>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>
<dd>A strategy I prefer would be to use a SolaDeck as a junction box. Run
small wires to a convenient AC combiner location. <br><br>
<br>
<dd>At 12:43 PM 4/29/2014, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd>Dave<br><br>
<dd>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>
<dd>Bill<br><br>
<br>
<dd>On Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 8:44 AM, Dave Click
<<a href="mailto:daveclick@fsec.ucf.edu">daveclick@fsec.ucf.edu</a>
> wrote:
<dl>
<dd>I think 240.24(A)(4) allows the installation of the inverter OCPDs in
the SolaDeck hidden under a module.<br>
<dd>240.24 Location in or on Premises.
<dd>(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:
<dd>...
<dd>(4) For overcurrent devices adjacent to utilization equipment that
they supply, access shall be permitted to be by portable means.<br>
<br>
<dd>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>
<dd>DKC<br>
<br>
<dd>On 2014/4/29, 11:15, Jason Szumlanski
wrote:<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd>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>
<dd>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>
<dd>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>
<dd>Jason Szumlanski<br><br>
<dl>
<dd>On 4/28/2014 5:57 PM, Bill Brooks
wrote:<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd>Read 690.9(D) and 690.34. Not sure where this “hysteriarun for
the border” sentiment is coming from.<br><br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>690.9(D) Photovoltaic Source and Output Circuits. Listed PV<br>
<dd>overcurrent devices shall be required to provide overcurrent<br>
<dd>protection in PV source and output circuits. The overcurrent<br>
<dd>devices shall be accessible but shall not be required to<br>
<dd>be readily accessible.<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>690.34 Access to Boxes. Junction, pull, and outlet boxes<br>
<dd>located behind modules or panels shall be so installed that<br>
<dd>the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible<br>
<dd>directly or by displacement of a module(s) or panel(s) secured<br>
<dd>by removable fasteners and connected by a flexible<br>
<dd>wiring system.<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>This is not a change. Please help me understand the concern.<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>Bill Brooks.<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>From:
<a href="mailto: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" eudora="autourl">
</a><a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" eudora="autourl">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>]
On Behalf Of Ray Walters
<dd>Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 2:23 PM
<dd>To: RE-wrenches
<dd>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] (no subject)<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd>Interesting so does "require a tool" include taking a screw
off the cover plate of the combiner box, too?
<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><br>
<dd><pre>R.Ray
<dd>Walters</pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br><br>
<dd><pre>CTO, Solarray,
<dd>Inc</pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br><br>
<dd><pre>Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
</pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br><br>
<dd><pre>Licensed Master
<dd>Electrician</pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br><br>
<dd><pre>Solar Design
<dd>Engineer</pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font><br><br>
<dd><pre><a href="tel:303%20505-8760">303
<dd>505-8760</a></pre><font face="Courier New, Courier"></font>
<dd>On 4/28/2014 2:52 PM, Michael Morningstar wrote:<br><br>
<dl>
<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>
<dd> <br>
<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>
<dd> <br>
<dd>Michael<br>
<dd> <br>
<dd> <br>
<dd> <br>
<br>
<br>
<dd>On Apr 28, 2014, at 10:29 AM, William Miller
<<a href="mailto:william@millersolar.com">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>
<dd>William<br>
<dd>Miller Solar<br>
<br><br>
<dl>
<dd>On Apr 28, 2014, at 9:21 AM, Jason Szumlanski
<<a href="mailto:jason@fafcosolar.com">jason@fafcosolar.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
<dd>If that is the interpretation,
<dd>I don't see how the breakers are "readily accessible" in a
SolaDeck
<dd>mounted anywhere, regardless of whether it is under a module. It
<dd>requires removal of four screws (using a tool) to access the
breakers
<dd>inside the enclosure. It's all up to the AHJ. It has not been an
issue
<dd>locally here. I can see how other jurisdictions may not
<dd>concur. </blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>
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