I've always interpreted this rule to mean to the wiring, not to the
bottom edge of the array. 110.27 refers to live parts; that's actual
uninsulated bare conductors, lugs, or switch contacts, etc. Further,
690.31(A) just says "circuit conductors shall be guarded...." Finally,
if the conductors are within 8 ft of the ground, then usually you can
just put a plastic shield, or expanded aluminum lathe on the bottom of
the rails to protect the conductors.
Wire Shielding ground Mount
I pinched this pic from Miller Solar, one of our long time wrenches here.
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
303 505-8760
On 7/18/20 3:57 PM, Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar wrote:
I would give a small amount of additional time to convince the
inspector. After that I would build the fence he wants. I would also
build it to be easily dismantled/removed. Good Luck!
*Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar "we go where powerlines don't"
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/ e-mail [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> text 209 813 0060*
On Sat, 18 Jul 2020 10:05:49 -0400, Kirk Herander <[email protected]>
wrote:
Thanks all. The NEC reference 110.27 is helpful.
I am in a battle now with my AHJ building inspector which relates
indirectly to the 8' rule question. I have mounted several modules
awning-style above a window at an angle of 30 degrees. The bottom of
the array is 7' from grade. The inspector insists that this is a
ground-mount array, even though it is mounted on the wall of a
habitable building. He cites NFPA 1, 2012 fire safety rules which are
adopted in my locale. In his brain, I must add a fence to insure no
one can touch the array within 10' per NFPA access guidelines for
ground-mounts.
The NFPA does not cover wall-mounts specifically, if at all. It only
defines arrays on buildings (roof) and "real" ground mounts, i.e.
mounted on a detached structure.
The exposed PV wire enters a J-box roughly 10' above grade(behind the
array), more than complying with guidance in NEC 110.27. I am using
this rule as backup to my position that NFPA fire safety rules for
ground mounts do not apply, and the wire runs are protected
accordingly per the NEC. IMO the intent of the NFPA 10' ground-mount
rule is to protect the array and specifically wiring from damage,
which compliance with NEC 110.27 already does.
On 7/18/2020 4:01:34 AM, Martin Herzfeld <[email protected]>
wrote:
Simply, the '2.5 m' (8 ft) has been inferred from Article
110.27(A)(4). It's interesting now that the distance in the 2019
CEC/2017 NEC has increased based on voltage. In other words, if
the voltage is greater than 301 volts the minimum would be 8 ft 6
in. :)
All the best,
Martin Herzfeld, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
Certified Master Trainer ™ for Photovoltaics (PV) Installation
Professional #IREC 10037
Contract Training Provider (CTP)
Adjunct Professor, Energy
California Solar & Electrical Contractor License #00833782 C46,
C10, D56, D31, C-7
Solar, Electrical, Trenching, Pole Installation & Maintenance,
Instrumentation
Contract Solar (PV) Technical Inspector - 3rd Party Inspections
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Certified PV Installer #17, OSHA 30
OSHA-Authorized Construction Trainer #32-0105338
CompTIA Certified Technical Classroom Trainer (CTT+)
#T3NSZCNBBKB4QTQG
* Professional Member, International Association of Electrical
Inspectors #7035507 - Since 2006
* Accredited and Registered North American Board of Certified
Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Continuing Education (CE) Training
Provider
On Fri, Jul 17, 2020, 7:32 PM August Goers <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Hi Kirk - We work in San Francisco where they have a local
code amendment:
<https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/latest/sf_building/0-0-0-84935>
300.4(I) Add the following section:
(I) Subject to Physical Damage. Premises wiring systems
installed less than 2.44 m (8 feet) above a walking surface
or finished floor are considered subject to physical damage.
As far as I'm aware otherwise, there is not a specific
definition specifying 8' for physical damage in the broader
NEC - I think it's just up to the AHJ.
August
Luminalt
On Fri, Jul 17, 2020 at 8:38 AM Kirk Herander
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
All,
Is there a reference to this so-called "8-foot rule" that
someone could point me to in the NEC? Thanks.
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