Bill,
Thanks for the good idea. Using a nonconductive material for the
screening makes sense. Lattice should be sufficient to keep hands,
especially "little hands," away from the wiring. My understanding of
the rule is that protection is required to prevent easy access to the
always energized DC wiring, not the 240 VAC which will de-energize
when the wiring is disconnected. Lattice should be adequate, if it
makes the AHJ happy.
Drake
At 05:57 PM 10/21/2010, you wrote:
Drake,
I recommend using 4'x8' panels of lattice work that is either wood or PVC so
that you don't have worry about grounding the material. It is reasonably
attractive and can hide some of the ugly parts of the array. The panels can
be held on with battens that screw into the structural member and allow for
panels to be removed in case the array wiring needs to be maintained.
Bill.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Drake
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 9:35 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Ground Mount Screening
Hello Wrenches,
We are installing a ground mount system with Enphase
inverters. 690.31 requires readily accessible source and output
conductors OPERATING at over 30 volts to be installed in a
raceway. The Vmp of the REC230PE modules is 29.4 volts. Of course
it would go higher in cold weather. Do I have any argument that
would allow us to not install the DC conductors in a raceway?
The NEC Handbook comments "Most PV modules do not have provisions for
attaching raceways. These circuits may have to be made "not readily
accessible" by use of physical barriers such as wire screening".
I have heard of a green screening material that has been used on the
E, W and N sides of ground mounts to render the area not readily
accessible. Does anyone know what this is? What else would work
that would be more cost effective than running a chain link fence
around the array?
Thanks,
Drake
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