That was my suspicion as well. Simple wiring mistake. Inadequate commissioning protocol.
On 3/29/12 2:02 PM, "Bill Brooks" <billbroo...@yahoo.com> wrote: > All, > > It is very likely that the something gone very wrong was a wiring mistake by > the installing contractor. Many installers are clueless about the danger and > consequences of getting the polarity wrong in strings or combiner box > circuits. It is very likely that the contractor mixed up their combiner box > circuits causing the combiner boxes and conductors to catch on fire as soon as > the fuses were installed. > > Polarity should be checked and verified on all circuits a total of 2 or 3 > times during the course of installation and commissioning. It is the single > most important test from a safety point of view. > > Bill. > > > From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of David Brearley > Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 8:25 AM > To: RE-wrenches > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] WOW Something Gone Very Wrong > > Perfect example of why it¹s a good idea to start designing and deploying > systems now that meet the fuse servicing requirements found in NEC 2011even > if these are not required by your AHJ yet. > > People on this list are probably ahead of that curve. If not, you might want > to check out these articles: > > http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg14_QA_2&search= (Bill > Brooks article on Fuse Servicing disconnect requirements) > > http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_3_pg64_Hren&search= (Changes > to Code in 2011; See content under ³690.6, Fuses² subheading) > > David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor > SolarPro magazine > NABCEP Certified PV Installer > > On 3/29/12 9:36 AM, "Mark Frye" <ma...@berkeleysolar.com> wrote: > > > > > Rooftop solar installation sparks fires in Trenton, New Jersey 28.03.2012: > According to local news portal NJ.com, a rooftop solar system has triggered > several small fires at a recycling center in Trenton, New Jersey. The article > reports that ³a major malfunction in the rooftop solar panelcaused small > fires and surges of electricity producing arcs of current to break out.² > According to Fire Battalion Chief Rich Seeds, ³There definitely was a problem > with the installation, the equipment.² Firefighters on the scene said that an > inverter was ³sparking and unusable.² The firefighters, with the help of > electricians, had to manually disconnect the 100-panel system from the > electrical grid before they could safely put out the fire. The fire started > while electricians were hooking up junction boxes on the system. Earlier this > month, a New Jersey General Assembly committee approved a bill (A266) that > would require buildings to clearly label with an exterior emblem whether they > have solar panels installed on the premises. The measure, recommended by the > National Fire Protection Association, is aimed at protecting firefighters from > dangers posed by solar panels. The greater Assembly has yet to discuss the > bill, but the New Jersey Senate version of the bill (S507) was introduced in > the Senate on Jan. 10, 2012 and is currently being reviewed by the Senate > Environment and Energy Committee. Source: NJ.com, New Jersey Assembly > Republicans, eLobbyist; Summary: PHOTON > > http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/03/trenton_firefighters_battle > _ro.html > <http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/03/trenton_firefighters_battle_ro.htm > l> > > > http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=2862 > <http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=2862> > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > David Brearley, Senior Technical Editor > SolarPro magazine > NABCEP Certified PV Installer > david.brear...@solarprofessional.com > Direct: 541.261.6545 > Fax: 541.512.0343 > > Visit our Web site at solarprofessional.com > > (Sample copy available for download at: solarprofessional.com/sample) > >
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