[RE-wrenches] Covering modules

[William Miller]

Jay:



You are quite right to object to the concept of covering PV modules as a
means to energize feeders. It is not practical on any level.  Implementing
this on a roof with the potential for unexpected wind gusts adds to the
risk of a service call.  We know 99% of the tarps available are not opaque
enough anyway.



For a laugh, review the following language from the service manual for the
SMA 40 series inverter:



*If an external DC disconnecting switch is available, open the external DC
disconnecting switch.*

*• If there is no external DC disconnecting switch, cover the PV modules
with opaque material (e.g. foil).*



This language is in the manual because SMA designed this series of
inverters with the DC disconnect switch *in* the electronics compartment.
You no longer have an external disconnect to de-energize the electronics
section for service unless you add one yourself.  Rapid shut-down does not
apply to all installations, so in some cases you have to add your own
disconnect, at some expense. I discussed this with SMA and they agreed with
me but they never changed the design or the language in the manual.  This
was not SMA’s brightest moment.



William



PS:  All of the people I used to know at SMA appear to be gone now,  I
can’t reach any of these people by phone or email:  Steve Jefferson, Scoey
Wildey or Ronnie Raxter.  Does anyone know what happened to these people?
Is there an SMA contact on this list-serve?  Who is left at SMA with
techincal expertise that is readily accessible for questions?



Wm









Lic 773985

millersolar.com

805-438-5600



-----Original Message-----
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On
Behalf Of Jay
Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2017 8:05 AM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Covering modules



Hi All, happy holidays.



I’m looking for any studies or data about the dangers of “covering modules”
and assuming they are safe to work on.



I have a group that I think is going to need some harder data than me
telling them it’s not safe.



Thanks



Jay





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