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<font size=3>Dear Wind-Sun:<br><br>
The incident described on your forum is very Interesting and scary.
It is impossible to make any definitive conclusions from the vague
information provided, but here are a few things that got my
attention:<br><br>
--If I could detect, from the before photos provided, a first rate
installation, I would suspect defective modules. The before photo
shows some very non-standard, low quality racking, obviously slapped
together from hardware store angle stock. The angles are installed
across the roof pitch, catching leaves and rain water. This makes
me wonder how poorly the rest of the wiring could have been and suspect
that poor workmanship may be to blame.<br><br>
--The homeowner claims the modules are un-stickered (no specifications,
manufacturer or listing). The entire package begins to appear to be
a real bargain basement <br>
system. The fact that this system caught fire seems to make
sense.<br><br>
We replaced a module today that had heat damaged connection points.
It appears one of my employees did not tighten a screw terminal on an old
style module and the connections got hot. The J-box cover was
melted. This module had been removed and reinstalled for a
re-roof. I know stainless fasteners are not conducive to repeated
loosening and re-tightening, so maybe the connector screw was galled and
could not be tightened. properly.<br><br>
I have often predicted it is only a matter of time until our industry
kills someone. My bet is on electrocution of a minor due to abraded
PV cables. Maybe I'm wrong and it will be in a house fire.
All I can say is that I am doing everything in my power to prevent it
from being on one of my jobs and to spread the gospel of protected
wiring.<br><br>
William Miller<br><br>
<br>
At 10:42 PM 2/10/2009, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>In view of the recent discussion
here about fires and PV systems, you might all want to take a look at
this post that someone just posted on our forum<br><br>
<a href="http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/showthread.php?t=4524" eudora="autourl">http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/showthread.php?t=4524</a><br><br>
I never heard of this happening before.<br><br>
..................................................................................................<br>
Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun<br>
Solar Discussion Forum:
<a href="http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/" eudora="autourl">http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/</a><br>
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