Solar Edge built in ac/dc disconnect and Cal Fire

[Nape]

Does Cal Fire require a disconnect on the exterior of a metal shop ? I am using SE power optimizers so I don't need roof top disconnects but the SE inverts with disconnects I want on the inside of the shop with the sub panel. All DC wiring from array is in conduit inside the shop.

Thanks,

John

[HX_Guy]

SolarEdge inverters only have a built in DC disconnect now, they did away with the combo AC/DC disconnect because AHJ's were requiring a separate AC disconnect regardless of the built in one.

[Nape]

SolarEdge inverters only have a built in DC disconnect now, they did away with the combo AC/DC disconnect because AHJ's were requiring a separate AC disconnect regardless of the built in one.

Ok cool thanks for that. AC disconnect is simple but should it be on the outside?

Thanks,

[Bikerscum]

Ok cool thanks for that. AC disconnect is simple but should it be on the outside?

Thanks,

On my setup, the inverter is in the garage. The installer put the AC disconnect on the outside wall, where the fire dept could get to it if needed. The city inspector came & red tagged it... said it has to be line of sight of the inverter, screw the fire dept. (my words)

[bcroe]

On my setup, the inverter is in the garage. The installer put the AC disconnect on the outside wall, where the fire dept could get to it if needed. The city inspector came & red tagged it... said it has to be line of sight of the inverter, screw the fire dept. (my words)

Here the inverters are inside a metal building, but were designed & approved with all disconnects on
the outside of the same wall. How else can you reach them if the building is full of smoke? Bruce Roe

[HX_Guy]

Ok cool thanks for that. AC disconnect is simple but should it be on the outside?

Thanks,

Inside and outside...as in two of them...at least that's the requirement out here.

[Nape]

On my setup, the inverter is in the garage. The installer put the AC disconnect on the outside wall, where the fire dept could get to it if needed. The city inspector came & red tagged it... said it has to be line of sight of the inverter, screw the fire dept. (my words)

I have been researching PGE, Fresno co. and Cal Fire. You need an AC disconnect at your backfeed, inverter connection 10' visual. I am putting my solar on a shop that is 200' from the meter. I can do a single disconnect at the inverter but if I don't put one at the meter, pge will want a waiver. The impact of the waiver is if they need to do service or anything in your area, they will pull your meter until when ever they put it back.

[Nape]

Here the inverters are inside a metal building, but were designed & approved with all disconnects on
the outside of the same wall. How else can you reach them if the building is full of smoke? Bruce Roe

I understand the confusion with solar. It involves the N.E.C, UL, CSA, CE, OSHA, Local Fire, Local plan checkers and local plan inspector. Few are on the same page even inside the same dept. All the cool new gear that is being offered but few have an understanding and rely on others.

To be clear, My company has UL 508A panel shop, UL 60601-1, LA city electrical mechanical and CSA approvals on our systems we build and I designed (not solar lol). These inspectors vary in the same degree.

[solarfrank]

As Nape said : N.E.C, UL, CSA, CE, OSHA, Local Fire, plan checkers and inspector also in the same department will tell you different story. LAFD doesn't allow you to install inverter inside the garage just in special cases and they require DC disconnect outside , inside, and then AC disconnect inside and outside.

[bcroe]

As Nape said : N.E.C, UL, CSA, CE, OSHA, Local Fire, plan checkers and inspector also in
the same department will tell you different story. LAFD doesn't allow you to install inverter inside the garage just in
special cases and they require DC disconnect outside , inside, and then AC disconnect inside and outside.

Inverters here aren't in the house, but they are inside an out building. I see the outside AC & DC disconnects
as allowing complete shutdown if there is a problem inside the building. Inside there are AC breakers next
to the inverters and DC disconnects built into the inverters. In case of an AC outage, the inverters automatically
shut down. Here in the WILD WEST that is considered covering all bases. However all the above are hundreds
of feet from the revenue meter, certainly out of sight. Not sure that would be OK everywhere. Bruce Roe

[solarfrank]

Breaker can act as an AC disconnect , your local utility may required another AC disconnect next to existing meter.

[SunEagle]

Inverters here aren't in the house, but they are inside an out building. I see the outside AC & DC disconnects
as allowing complete shutdown if there is a problem inside the building. Inside there are AC breakers next
to the inverters and DC disconnects built into the inverters. In case of an AC outage, the inverters automatically
shut down. Here in the WILD WEST that is considered covering all bases. However all the above are hundreds
of feet from the revenue meter, certainly out of sight. Not sure that would be OK everywhere. Bruce Roe

Sometimes the AHJ requires a way to lock out the switch if it is out of site for what it is controlling. Although I doubt the Fire department carry individual locks for that fucntion.

[Nape]

Breaker can act as an AC disconnect , your local utility may required another AC disconnect next to existing meter.

I am going to put a disconnect at the meter and one on the outside of the new shop. I plan on the inverter on the inside of the shop. My point if they want it outside is that it is a SolarEdge and when you disconnect the AC side they will fall back to 1v per panel so why have a DC disconnect or the inverter outside.

We will see what plan check has to say in a couple of months. Either way I will have the inverters inside the shop one way or another.

Fun stuff