Hans, I appealed as far as I could go in the time available. According to the inspector, all 4 electrical inspectors and the building official got together and all concur. Talk about grouping!!! More like groupthinking!!! :)
I like your flush mount panel suggestion, but there are some aesthetic and physical considerations that preclude this solution. We don't have a utility disco requirement, so this would have worked perfectly under other circumstances. The homeowner and I are not keen on downsizing the main breaker, which would be required based on the 200A main breaker and the 60A PV breaker, but in this case it seems like the only reasonable/acceptable course of action. We're going to do a load side connection and call it a day. We'll leave the fused disconnect in place as a secondary service disconnect. The only "not-fun" part is removing the existing tap connections. At the risk of being confrontational, I'm inclined to bring this back up with the AHJ after we get our inspection. I think it's important for the industry to help clarify the requirements and get on the same page with the AHJs. Or, maybe I'll just bang my head into a brick wall. Jason Szumlanski Fafco Solar -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Hans Frederickson Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 11:42 AM To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Grouping of Service Disconnects Jason, I agree that the inspector is wrong. I see two options: 1) Appeal the inspectors ruling with his supervisor(s). 2) Cut in a little flush mount service disconnect adjacent to the main service panel. You could use a 2-space flush-mount panel like Cutler Hammer CH2L125FP. This is rated for service entrance use, but does not include a visible break disconnect (just a breaker), so depending on your utility's requirements, it might need to be redundant to your fused disconnect outside. Regards, -Hans From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 5:22 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] Grouping of Service Disconnects I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, but. I have a supply side tap with a fusible disconnect located next to the meter outside. The tap is in the main distribution panel which is back to back with the meter inside a finished garage. There is a 200A main breaker in the MDP. The inspector is insisting that the solar AC disconnect (fusible disconnect) be located inside the garage next to the MDP. He is saying that service disconnecting means must be grouped. The inspector acknowledges that the PV system is considered a separate source, not necessarily a separate service, but also insists that Section 230 applies. I pointed out that section 230.72(A) and 230.71(A) apply to grouping of service disconnects for the SAME service, not grouping of all disconnects for multiple services. I noted that the location required in 230.70(A)(1) allows for the disconnect to be outside the building. There is no explicit requirement for disconnects of separate services to be co-located (grouped). I also pointed out 690.56(B) which implies that the PV system disconnect can be located elsewhere if a plaque or directory is supplied. I thought this was case closed, but he is still not seeing it my way. I realize that the AHJ could theoretically make the determination that the disconnect be located inside, but that is not the case he is making. He is stuck on the grouping aspect. I have provided Enphase's white paper on disconnecting means and the excellent IAEI articles on the subject. I think they are interpreting the word "each" in 230.71(A) to mean "all." I'm not sure. There is no way that the homeowner will allow a surface mounted fusible disconnect next to his flush mounted MDP in the garage. The next best alternative to comply with the inspector is expensive and time consuming, and a load side connection is out of the question. Not happy right now. Jason Szumlanski Fafco Solar _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: [email protected] Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: [email protected] Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
