AC disconnect on roof - San Diego plans require it

[SunEagle]

haha.. I think inetdog was just saying "I know that's annoying you have to put in an unnecessary AC disconnect, but at least it's not DC, which would be harder".

Correct. A DC disconnect would require a way to "very quickly" open the circuit and not allow an arc to form.

[cebury]

Correct. A DC disconnect would require a way to "very quickly" open the circuit and not allow an arc to form.

Labeling "pull this quickly" on the disconnect switch doesn't satisfy?

It's late...

[SunEagle]

Labeling "pull this quickly" on the disconnect switch doesn't satisfy?

It's late...

Not unless you are making a Frankenstein movie and want all them electric arcs.

[solarix]

The rational for an AC disconnect is usually the OSHA requirement for a visibly verifiable disconnect. Yes, the breakers will disconnect the solar. Yes, the inverters can't operate without the grid. But the linemen need a OSHA disconnect that they can trust..... So - you solar people need to run a lot of extra conduit, wire, and voltage drop from the inverter (in the garage)- out to the disconnect (other side of the house by the service) - and then back to the breaker panel i the garage (because you have to backfeed the end of the busbar). grrrr

[MGE]

Back when I installed my system in April of 2013 No AC disconnect was required on the roof but I did it anyway. Have 2 strings of 17 panels (260w) with the 215 micros and just mounted 2 single pole light switches in separate weatherproof bell boxes with a label on the covers. Mounted them horizontally at the end of the rack. Both strings go into them and run out the bottom into my garage then to service panel. Easy and I have had ZERO failures to date with anything.

[sensij]

Here is an example of how awful these disconnects can look. I sent this picture (from my neighborhood) to my installer with a strongly worded "Please do not do this", when I saw that their permit application included one. SDG&E does not generally require the AC disconnect, this one is on the city...

Disconnect-small.jpg

[SunEagle]

Here is an example of how awful these disconnects can look. I sent this picture (from my neighborhood) to my installer with a strongly worded "Please do not do this", when I saw that their permit application included one. SDG&E does not generally require the AC disconnect, this one is on the city...

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I agree that satellite dish looks ugly. Oh wait you meant the disconnect switch. That also is a little unsightly.

[J.P.M.]

I agree that satellite dish looks ugly. Oh wait you meant the disconnect switch. That also is a little unsightly.

And unless the photo was taken around Christmas, or the house is extruding lighting, that stuff hanging of the siding at the eaves looks a bit out of place as well. Maybe an example of how easy it is to stop noticing things.

[SunEagle]

And unless the photo was taken around Christmas, or the house is extruding lighting, that stuff hanging of the siding at the eaves looks a bit out of place as well. Maybe an example of how easy it is to stop noticing things.

I'm not sure what you are talking about. That stuff hanging is pretty much an all year look for most Florida homes.

[J.P.M.]

I'm not sure what you are talking about. That stuff hanging is pretty much an all year look for most Florida homes.

My bad. My decorating aesthetics are out of date and suck anyway.

[sensij]

The picture was taken at the beginning of February. The icicle lights have since been taken down, but replaced with a less obvious style of Christmas light at some point, so they'll still be ready to go next month!