Ground Mount Wire Protection

[jorgey]

I install a lot of ground mounts (and the powers that be are pretty strict with us, bad blood) but if the array is fenced in its always been considered not accessible. If it isn't, we put up uv rated plastic meshing installed tightly over all the wiring below eight feet and haven't had any problems with it. If you use wire meshing you're going to have to worry about future chafing issues and having to bond it.

Hi Panelmal,

Do you have any images of your plastic mesh install that you could share? I would like to see what that looks like.

Thanks.

[Panelmal]

Hi Panelmal,

Do you have any images of your plastic mesh install that you could share? I would like to see what that looks like.

Thanks.

It's called deer barrier, available at nursery and garden stores in a variety of sizes. Make sure it is UV rated.

Click the image, dunno why it won't attach as a thumbnail
image.jpg

[inetdog]

It's called deer barrier, available at nursery and garden stores in a variety of sizes. Make sure it is UV rated.

Click the image, dunno why it won't attach as a thumbnail
[ATTACH]7046[/ATTACH]

Try loading it as an image rather than an attachment. The file is small enough that an inline image rather than a thumbnail should not be a big inconvenience for users.

[Panelmal]

Try loading it as an image rather than an attachment. The file is small enough that an inline image rather than a thumbnail should not be a big inconvenience for users.

[NVEnergyLLC]

No HVDC on ground mounts

I prefer using micros on ground mounts so that HV DC isn't an issue. Any layman understands 240VAC and its lethal capabilities and AHJ's are not requiring protection since it's all AC / non hazardous DC.

[SunEagle]

I prefer using micros on ground mounts so that HV DC isn't an issue. Any layman understands 240VAC and its lethal capabilities and AHJ's are not requiring protection since it's all AC / non hazardous DC.

Sorry. That statement indicates to my you have no actual experience or knowledge concerning electricity AC or DC.

All electrical power above 50 volts (AC or DC) can be lethal and have caused deaths from electrocution.

The biggest reason experienced electricians have died from electrical shock is because they have become complacent while they are working with something the "understand" but forget how it can reach out and kill.

[NVEnergyLLC]

Safety first

Sorry. That statement indicates to my you have no actual experience or knowledge concerning electricity AC or DC.

All electrical power above 50 volts (AC or DC) can be lethal and have caused deaths from electrocution.

The biggest reason experienced electricians have died from electrical shock is because they have become complacent while they are working with something the "understand" but forget how it can reach out and kill.

To the contrary, well versed. Try BSEE. ( Electrical Engineer ).

Stringing panels together is the biggest risk with HVDC, and using micros, for the most part, eliminates the risk of HV DC exposure ( safety- low voltage can't jump ) since the panels are not in a string.

Research the effects of DC voltage and muscle reaction. Totally different than AC. 600VDC will kill easily, without prejudice.

If someone was to rip a wire from the back of a panel of a string, that conductor can have full system potential.

If the system is outfitted with micro's the most it can have is really 48V, but more likely to be be zero since the invertor would already have shutdown.

It's a risk assessment- avoid what can be avoided. Can't avoid 240VAC+ on a system, but the HVDC can be avoided easily.

[SunEagle]

To the contrary, well versed. Try BSEE. ( Electrical Engineer ).

Stringing panels together is the biggest risk with HVDC, and using micros, for the most part, eliminates the risk of HV DC exposure ( safety- low voltage can't jump ) since the panels are not in a string.

Research the effects of DC voltage and muscle reaction. Totally different than AC. 600VDC will kill easily, without prejudice.

If someone was to rip a wire from the back of a panel of a string, that conductor can have full system potential.

If the system is outfitted with micro's the most it can have is really 48V, but more likely to be be zero since the invertor would already have shutdown.

It's a risk assessment- avoid what can be avoided. Can't avoid 240VAC+ on a system, but the HVDC can be avoided easily.

I as well have a BSEE and about 40 years experience in industrial plants so IMO we could both seemed to be well versed in the subject matter.

As for which type of voltage has more deadly potential is a matter of opinion. I have seen a few ARC flash incidents at 480volts and too many "accidents" concerning low voltage 120VAC that does not make me feel that AC is safer than 600VDC. But your opinion may also be a result of hands on experience.

It still comes down to how the "electrician" is performing their work and what PPE they are wearing to mitigate any shock or flash incident.

Micros inverters have some additional features that make it easier to wire a pv array but also create many more potential failure points. Having a lower voltage (AC or DC) only means to me that it requires bigger and more expensive wiring to reduce voltage drop.

My guess is this will be all mute once the 2014 NEC requirements concerning immediate shutdown withing 10 feet of the array becomes the only type of installation. Hopefully that will make it safer for both the First responders to a fire or someone accidentally adjusting the wiring at the array.

[emartin00]

My guess is this will be all mute once the 2014 NEC requirements concerning immediate shutdown withing 10 feet of the array becomes the only type of installation. Hopefully that will make it safer for both the First responders to a fire or someone accidentally adjusting the wiring at the array.

The new "smart" panels and power optimizers will still comply with the rapid shutdown requirements.

[SunEagle]

The new "smart" panels and power optimizers will still comply with the rapid shutdown requirements.

Yes they should comply. But there is still a lot of pv systems out there using standard grid tie panels and string inverters that will not drop the voltage output low enough within 10 feet of the array as long as the sun is shining.

Manufacturers are scrambling to change their hardware to meet the 2014 NEC but most states haven't adopted the 2014 code yet and it could take years to do so.

[Spiffy Solar]

Is deer barrier enough?

Hi Panelmal,

Do you have any images of your plastic mesh install that you could share? I would like to see what that looks like.

Thanks.

This plastic mesh is a bit more substantial than deer barrier.

Under-Panel-Scrim.png

It came from here: www.solarscrim.com

[solar pete]

This plastic mesh is a bit more substantial than deer barrier.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7160[/ATTACH]

It came from here: www.solarscrim.com

Hi All,

Just as a heads up, Thom from Spiffy actually does pay for advertising on our sister site www.solar-estimate.org so dont all jump on him for trying to get free advertising, as he does actually contribute financially, cheers all.

[SunEagle]

Hi All,

Just as a heads up, Thom from Spiffy actually does pay for advertising on our sister site www.solar-estimate.org so dont all jump on him for trying to get free advertising, as he does actually contribute financially, cheers all.

solar pete

Thanks for letting us know. I gave Spiffy a little heads up on another post indicating he needed to talk to you before he advertised. Nice to see it is all good.

[Naptown]

Wait till the cows and horses get lawyers. What do you call a Cruise Ship full of Lawyers at the bottom of the Sea

A good start.

At least Lawyers get more respect than a Drummer.

What do you call a drummer in a three-piece suit?

The Defendant

You picking on me LOL
Wife is lawyer and son is a drummer
( actually recreational drummer full time wooden boat builder.

[inetdog]

You picking on me LOL
Wife is lawyer and son is a drummer
( actually recreational drummer full time wooden boat builder.

Since we seem to be in an OT digression,

"Q: What do you call someone who likes to hang out with musicians all the time?
A: A drummer."

Mouse over to see the answer.

"It's 95% of the lawyers who give all the rest a bad name. "