[RE-wrenches] Location of DC disconnect vis-a-vis rapid shutdown exemption

Ray ray at solarray.com
Mon Apr 16 21:00:45 EDT 2018


For GT using Solar edge or Enphase, its not so hard to comply, but If 
you are looking at off grid systems, it's not just someone's opinion, 
its $1,000s of dollars extra to comply with 690.12. It also results in a 
system that is less reliable, which is less safe off grid where lives 
depend on that power for heat, light, refrigeration, and even breathing 
machines.

Ray Walters

Remote Solar


On 4/16/18 7:44 AM, Brian Mehalic wrote:
> Hey y'all, I'm going to disagree about the NEC getting "worse and 
> worse when it comes to PV," (see disconnect and grounding 
> requirements, for instance!), but as with previous posters, that's 
> just an opinion.
>
> Regarding location - the 2014 version had very little to say about the 
> location of any rapid shutdown initiation device; 2017 adds the 
> requirement [690.12(C)] that RS initiation devices for one- and 
> two-family dwellings be readily accessible (defined in Article 100), 
> AND outside the building.  Seems reasonable for a device that is 
> intended to control energized conductors to make it more safe to enter 
> a building.
>
> Cheers,
>
>
> Brian Mehalic
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional™ R031508-59
> 520.204.6639
>
> Solar Energy International
> http://www.solarenergy.org
>
> SEI Professional Services
> http://www.seisolarpros.com <http://www.seisolarpros.com>
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 16, 2018 at 12:04 AM, Mark Frye <markf at berkeleysolar.com 
> <mailto:markf at berkeleysolar.com>> wrote:
>
>     Thanks Darryl.
>
>     I guess I can add that I am in CA and so looked only at the 2014.
>     I also looked at the 2017 article. Man, I have to say, my
>     impression remains that really starting with 2008 the code has
>     just gotten worse and worse when it comes to PV, but that is just me.
>
>     Not really sure what might need to be "Outside readily
>     accessible". Is there something other than 690.12 that I need to
>     look at?
>
>     Mark
>
>     On 4/15/2018 8:26 PM, Darryl Thayer wrote:
>>     I think the code says Outside readily accessible,
>>
>>     On Sun, Apr 15, 2018 at 12:22 PM, Mark Frye
>>     <markf at berkeleysolar.com <mailto:markf at berkeleysolar.com>> wrote:
>>
>>         Folks,
>>
>>         As I recall, an inverter and it's integrated DC disconnect
>>         need only be placed in an accessible location. I am thinking
>>         of putting an inverter high up on the wall inside a garage.
>>         That would be OK vis-a-vis the location of the disconnect
>>         (still accessible for maintenance).
>>
>>         If I do put the inverter high up on the wall, I can limit my
>>         DC conductors to less that 10 feet total from the array and
>>         less that 5 feet inside the garage.
>>
>>         That means I get the exemption from the rapid disconnect
>>         requirement, right?
>>
>>         There is nothing in the Code linking the accessibility of the
>>         DC disconnect to the exemption from rapid shutdown, right?
>>
>>         Mark Frye
>>
>>
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