I agree with you, Ray, as a purely off-grid solar installer and troubleshooter. I think all that was accomplished in NEC 2017 on this issue is that non-habitable structures, like the common off-grid 'power shed' don't need 690.12 RS anymore.
Dan Fink Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute IREC Certified Instructor™ for: ~ PV Installation Professional ~ Small Wind Installer Executive Director, Buckville Energy NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™ NABCEP Associate 970.672.4342 On Fri, Jul 6, 2018 at 11:32 AM, Ray <[email protected]> wrote: > Midnite has some string level and module level 690.12 disconnects that > wire in like an optimizer or micro inverter, so those should be able to > meet the 2019 requirements. However beware: they as of yet still don't > have a reasonable disconnect system to disconnect the charge controller > which has capacitors that back feed the PV line for up to 90 seconds. They > have a DC GFI breaker with remote trip capability but it takes 4 spaces, so > with multiple charge controllers it turns into a wiring mess really fast. > > I actually wired in some 60 amp rated diodes on one system to get it to > pass inspection; what a joke, going back to 1980s equipment to pass 2017 > code. 690.12 is an absolute nightmare for small off grid. There really > should be some exemptions for small arrays (under 3 kW) and under 100 vdc. > Fire fighters are not going to get there till the structure is down > anyway, Response times are up to an hour for remote locations with > volunteer fire departments. Its not like in town at all; no one is going > to go on the roof on an off grid fire. > > On the flip side, there are real dangers created by nuisance tripping of > 690.12 equipment. Again, on grid it's a mere inconvenience, but off grid > it could mean spoiled food, frozen water lines, shut down heating systems > in subzero temperatures, and for the elderly: loss of their breathing > machines. I've already had a 74 year old customer climbing on their roof > multiple times to reset the Rapid shutdown equipment after nuisance trips. > Are we going to wait until we get someone killed in the name of "Safety" > before we fix this? > > Ray Walters > Remote Solar > 303 505-8760 > > On 7/6/18 9:55 AM, cwarfel wrote: > > I am wondering about the experience installers have with a DC coupled > multimode system design that will comply after January 1 with what I feel > is the biggest mistake/poorly guided part of NEC 2017 690, and that is > 690.12. We are installing two Outback systems with the remote controlled > combiner and even that won't comply after January 1 unless we parallel > more subarrays (There's safety for you, lower voltage-higher amperage!). > Thanks for any insight. > > Chris > > > > > -- > > Christopher Warfel, PE > ENTECH Engineering, Inc. > PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807 > (401)466-8978 > > [image: EEI logo] <http://entech-engineering.com> > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & > settings:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette:www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios:www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. > org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > >
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