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<DIV><FONT size=2>Matt:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Well, thankyou for showing me the dance steps.... but don't
think I'll stop worrying about this one. I doubt I'll ever bring a
skillsaw into Planning and Building, which is where the dance begins
and usually ends. Besides, I went cordless a looong time ago and all I
ever carry into the inner sanctum, the place where the meat hits the
grinder, is a ten pound roll of plan sets, my i-phone and a box of donuts.
But I am so glad to know, per 690.17, that a connector which is listed as a
connector can also be considered to be listed as a
dis-connector.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>This just seems too logical.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Pat Redgate</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>(Yawn)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>In a message dated 9/14/2010 11:48:12 A.M. Pacific Daylight
Time, gilligan06@gmail.com writes:</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>Stir
away....</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=868314517-14092010><FONT size=3></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>Modern locking module
connectors serve as DC disconnects for micro-inverters. This
point was alluded to in the Code Corner sidebar, but not addressed in
detail. I</SPAN><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>t takes a little
dance along Route 690 to drive the point home to OCD-afflicted AHJs...
But it's right there...</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=868314517-14092010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>The simplest dance
steps generally start with 690.14(A). This clause specifically says
disconnects don't have to be suitable as service equipment and must
comply with 690.17.</SPAN><SPAN class=868314517-14092010> 690.17 requires disconnects to be manually
operable switches or breakers that meet a host of requirements. And then
there's the exception, which throws all that out the window... Or off the
roof, as the case might be. </SPAN><SPAN class=868314517-14092010><EM>(Exception: A connector shall be permitted to be
used as an ac or a dc disonnecting means, provided that it complies with the
requirements of 690.33 and is listed and identified for the use.)</EM> Listed
and identified as a PV connector meets this requirement. </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=868314517-14092010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>As your AHJ is
quivering with OCD discomfort... Quickly flip to 690.33 to send him/her into
full-on convulsions... </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>690.33 requires connectors to be
polarized, noninterchangeable with other stuff on the premises, guarded live
parts, latching or locking, require a tool to open, 1st make/last break
grounding member and... Either be rated for interrupting current without
hazard to the operator OR require a tool to open and marked "Don't open under
load". </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010></SPAN><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>Demonstrate your compliance to the AHJ this way: Flip
your module over, grab both connectors, plug them into each other, yank on the
wires to demonstrate that a tool is required to open the connector, and flick
the sticker-tape labels that say "Do Not Disconnect Under Load". Hand the
connection to your AHJ. Make hm or her check it out closely. While he/she is
examining the connection, reconciling in their own head the irrational
concept that a disconnect doesn't have to be a switch here.... Turn the module
to face the sun and point out to them that they are now holding an energized
dead short. Just for fun :)</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>If they can't wrap their head around the
concept, take them over to your work truck. Pull out a skilsaw. Show them the
nameplate amps and discuss the power of the tool. Way more watts and
higher voltage than your module. Carry the thing over to a live
receptacle, plug it in, squeeze and hold the trigger, pull the plug out of the
receptacle. Happens every day with all kinds of tools and appliances.
</SPAN><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>There's no label on the cord or
receptacle to say you can't... </SPAN><SPAN class=868314517-14092010></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>Now compare this to your module connectors
to demonstrate how much safer and more effective the locking, labeled
connectors are. Buried up there behind the modules and all. Where only a
qualified person can get to them. Where, in the event of an emergency,
shutting down the ac circuit reduces the maximum potential current to one
module. No matter how bad the fault is or where it's located. Which is the
lowest possible unit of energy in a modern PV system. Can't get much safer
than that!</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010>Hope it didn't take too long to fall
asleep...</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><I><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Monotype Corsiva'; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Matt
Lafferty</SPAN></I></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><A title=mailto:gilligan06@gmail.com href="mailto:gilligan06@gmail.com">gilligan06@gmail.com</A></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=868314517-14092010></SPAN> </DIV><BR>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>SOLARPRO@aol.com<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, September 14, 2010 10:19
AM<BR><B>To:</B> re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<BR><B>Subject:</B>
[RE-wrenches] DC Discos for Enphase<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>
<DIV>Howdy Wrench<SPAN class=868314517-14092010> </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>I don't try to stir things up, but I was just wondering last night as I
fell asleep reading the latest issue of HomePower magazine (# 139), if anybody
else caught a chill when they read this in the Code Corner (highlighted in a
box):</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Both microinverters and microinverters attached to PV<BR>modules in the
field or in the factory that have any exposed<BR>DC single conductor cables
are required to meet all of the<BR>NEC\u2019s DC wiring requirements. These may
include Section<BR>690.5 ground-fault detector requirements, DC and
AC<BR>disconnect requirements (potentially handled by connectors<BR>listed as
disconnects), and inverter DC grounding-electrode<BR>requirements."</DIV>
<DIV>- John Wiles</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Which begs the question: Are <any> module connectors
currently listed as disconnects?</DIV>
<DIV> As well as: If DC voltages for each disconnect are less than 48
V, would a simple switch suffice, should the poor hapless installer
run into an AHJ with OCD? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 size=3 PTSIZE="12" FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Patrick A.
Redgate</FONT><FONT lang=0 color=#000000 size=2 PTSIZE="10" FAMILY="SANSSERIF"><BR><B><I>AMECO Solar, Inc.<BR>Serving Solar
California<BR>Since 1974<BR>7623 Somerset, Blvd.<BR>Paramount, CA
90723<BR>562-633-4400<BR></B></I><A title=http://www.solarexpert.com/ href="http://www.solarexpert.com/">www.solarexpert.com</A><U><BR><A title=http://www.amecosolar.com/ href="http://www.amecosolar.com/">www.amecosolar.com</A><BR><BR></U></FONT></DIV></FONT><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>