[RE-wrenches] need for outdoor DC disconnect

[Christopher Warfel]

If you want to bring it up to 2017, you would need RS. It would be very 
expensive to retrofit this project to shut down within the 2017 boundary 
limits of one foot or less depending upon technology being used. If you 
are not changing anything on the roof, you won't be 2017 compliant.  I 
am pretty sure that you always had to have the dc conductors in metallic 
conduit within the structure. I also think you had to have an dc 
disconnect at the nearest accessible entry point within the building.  
To make the system reasonably safe and not 2017 compliant, I would add 
metallic conduit to the inside, and add a dc disconnect, external or 
internal, add a directory citing where the ac and dc disconnects are.  
This is definitely not going to make you 2017 compliant, but as was 
pointed out, this system is most likely grandfathered. Chris

On 6/12/2019 5:34 PM, Kirk Herander wrote:
>
> I am not required to meet 2017 code. In Florida, they are only up to 
> the 2011 code. I want to bring it up to NEC2017 regardless. So for my 
> questions, Â assume the 2017 code is relevant. And it is a flat carport 
> roof, the rack is mounted at a fixed tilt of about 20 degrees. Understood?
>
> *From:*RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> *On 
> Behalf Of *Ray
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 12, 2019 4:24 PM
> *To:* re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] need for outdoor DC disconnect
>
> Are you required to meet the latest code?  In many retrofit/ 
> replacement situations, you are only required to meet the code 
> requirements of the date the original system was installed. Metal vs 
> PVC is dependent on the code version you are meeting.  Was metal a NEC 
> 2008 requirement? I don't have my old code versions here. Â  When metal 
> is required, its only from the point of entry into the building to the 
> inverter, so if you mount the inverter outdoors, it doesn't have to 
> change either.  I've got lots of legacy systems that have PVC  on the 
> inside, and never had an issue.  Seems like more trouble to change out 
> than its worth, but if the AHJ requires it, then yes.
>
> Also, you didn't mention if the array was roof or ground mounted, 
> which would effect the 690.12 interpretation.
>
> Ray Walters
> Remote Solar
> 303 505-8760
>
> On 6/12/19 12:49 PM, Kirk Herander wrote:
>
>     All,
>
>     I am retrofitting an existing PV system with Storedge / LG Chem /
>     optimizers and updating some code issues. I am replacing the PVC
>     conduit carrying the array conductors into the building with
>     metallic raceway to the point of DC disconnect(i.e. the inverter).
>     Â The array is presently connected to an Outback inverter / FM60
>     controller / AGM batteries (grid tied with backup). If I am
>     interpreting NEC 690.12 etc. correctly, a DC disconnect outdoors
>     is generally not required because of new rapid shutdown
>     capability, amongst other reasons. Would this be the case
>     regardless of metal or plastic conduit penetrating the building?
>     The system at present has no outdoor DC disco, and to me that’s a
>     violation in addition to lack of metallic raceway entering the
>     building. Thanks.
>
>     *Kirk Herander*
>
>     *Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC *
>
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