Solar power installed.

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robert pitre

robert pitre

Member
Location
Houma,la
Hello everyone, I have a question about solar panel installment. In our meeting we discuss that the fire department wants (solar power company's) to install some type of disconnect so when they have to fight a fire in a attic ,nothing will be energizer from the solar power side. They want to be shore that no part of the solar system will interfear with them putting a fire out with water. Can anyone share some information on this ? What code allowed to be used?:cool:
Thanks again
 
Smart $

Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
In 2014 NEC, see 690.12, 690.56.

Your profile has no location, so let us know what edition is pertinent if other than 2014.
 
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GoldDigger

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Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Occupation
Retired PV System Designer
Usually the hazard is not so much conduction along a stream of water droplets but rather contact with the wiring as they chop through the roof, etc. in the process of ventilating the roof and getting at hot spots in walls.
The disconnect requirements, other than the rapid disconnect in NEC [2014], and the panel setback requirements in the roof, are part of state or local fire or building codes, not the NEC.
 
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Smart $

Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
GoldDigger said:
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The disconnect requirements, other than the rapid disconnect in NEC [2014], and the panel setback requirements in the roof, are part of state or local fire or building codes, not the NEC.
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Would you agree to say while separate requirements, they will have a complementary, if not supplementary relationship, i.e. not outright contradict one another, but fire codes may be more restrictive than the NEC.
 
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ggunn

PE (Electrical), NABCEP certified
Location
Austin, TX, USA
Occupation
Consulting Electrical Engineer - Photovoltaic Systems
GoldDigger said:
Usually the hazard is not so much conduction along a stream of water droplets but rather contact with the wiring as they chop through the roof, etc. in the process of ventilating the roof and getting at hot spots in walls.
The disconnect requirements, other than the rapid disconnect in NEC [2014], and the panel setback requirements in the roof, are part of state or local fire or building codes, not the NEC.
Click to expand...
Setbacks are in the NEC? Where? I thought they were an IBC requirement.

BTW, this thread should be in the Photovoltaic forum.
 
cowboyjwc

cowboyjwc

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Location
Simi Valley, CA
Well if it's a micro inverter system you'll have AC coming out of it no matter what. If it uses an inverter you will still have DC coming down to the inverter even if the AC is shut off. The only time a panel will not have power is in the dark.
 
cowboyjwc

cowboyjwc

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Simi Valley, CA
Smart $ said:
Not when POCO power is shut off. That's a listing requirement for GTIs.
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The panels are still producing DC power all that happens when the AC is shut off is that it doesn't send anything back from the inverter to the service panel. With micro inverters there is no power coming down from the roof, but the panels are still producing. The panels produce electricity whether they are hooked up to anything or not.
 
robert pitre

robert pitre

Member
Location
Houma,la
Setbacks

Setbacks

GoldDigger said:
Usually the hazard is not so much conduction along a stream of water droplets but rather contact with the wiring as they chop through the roof, etc. in the process of ventilating the roof and getting at hot spots in walls.
The disconnect requirements, other than the rapid disconnect in NEC [2014], and the panel setback requirements in the roof, are part of state or local fire or building codes, not the NEC.
Click to expand...

Setback are in the 2015 IRC 324 code book.
 
Smart $

Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
cowboyjwc said:
The panels are still producing DC power all that happens when the AC is shut off is that it doesn't send anything back from the inverter to the service panel. With micro inverters there is no power coming down from the roof, but the panels are still producing. The panels produce electricity whether they are hooked up to anything or not.
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Assuming there is light energy to drive the photocells, the panels and leads therefrom will have voltage... but if there is nowhere for current to go, they do not produce electricity (or power).

BTW, I'm talking of systems with microinverters attached directly to the backside of the panel, not the type that connect at some distance from panel.
 
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ggunn

PE (Electrical), NABCEP certified
Location
Austin, TX, USA
Occupation
Consulting Electrical Engineer - Photovoltaic Systems
cowboyjwc said:
The panels are still producing DC power all that happens when the AC is shut off is that it doesn't send anything back from the inverter to the service panel.
Click to expand...

Voltage, yes, but power, no. When the inverter shuts down the DC side goes to open circuit, i.e., no current flows. No current = no power. P = IV.
 
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