Mark: I don't know the SolarBridge product as well as some others. Like you, I would ASS U ME the lack of a grounding lug would indicate that a GEC is not needed. Referring to the manufactures written instructions on grounding in the manual is always the best reference.
You are correct, there are 2 cases where you would not need a GEC per Code. 1) The unit is Listed as an AC Module so it is exempt from DC side requirements. This is not to be confused with a micro-inverter installed in the field on a module which would still need to meet the DC side requirements. 2) The inverter operates with a floating array, i.e. the array positive or negative (or neutral in a bi-polar array) are not bonded to ground. Just to clarify one point ... With a floating array the inverter topology could be either isolated (HF or LF transformer) or non-isolated (transformerless). The main criteria is if array conductors are, or are not, bonded to ground by the inverter (which is not necessarily related to a specific topology). Best Regards, John Berdner General Manager, North America SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. 3347 Gateway Boulevard, Fremont CA 94538 USA (*Please note of our new address.) T: 510.498.3201 ext 747 M: 530.277.4894 -----Original Message----- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Mark Frye Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 8:11 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] GEC for Micro-Inverters and ACPV Modules I am interested in the SolarBridge , it has no chasis lug so it must not require a GEC, right? So why does it not require a GEC? Is it because it is not an isolated inverter? Because it is an isolated inverter that does not have a grounded current carrying conductor on the DC side? Because it is listed as an AC module so who cares what is happening on the DC side? On 1/14/2013 6:52 PM, John Berdner wrote: > Mark: > > The GEC is required if the inverter bonds one of the PV conductors to ground > (as Enphase does). > Enphase support may not have a problem with it but not using a GEC (with all > the GEC requirements) on any system with a grounded array is definitely a > Code violation in NEC 2008 and 2011. > I don't recall it being eliminated in the 2014 Code either but could be wrong. > > If the inverter does not bond the array positive or array negative to ground > then the array is ungrounded so no GEC is required. > Non-isolated inverters (also referred to as transformerless inverters) do not > bond the array negative or array positive to ground and so no GEC is required > (EGC is still required). > > If you have a Listed AC module then none of the DC side requirements apply so > no GEC would be required unless required by the manufacturer's instructions. > Unfortunately, adding a micro-inverter to a module in the field does not make > it a Listed ac module. > > Best Regards, > > John Berdner > General Manager, North America > > SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. > 3347 Gateway Boulevard, Fremont CA 94538 USA (*Please note of our new > address.) > T: 510.498.3201 ext 747 > M: 530.277.4894 > > > -----Original Message----- > From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Mark > Frye > Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 3:31 PM > To: RE-wrenches > Subject: [RE-wrenches] GEC for Micro-Inverters and ACPV Modules > > Does anyone have the latest on the GEC for micro-inverters/ACPV issue? > > I know it is still in NEC 2008 and I believe 2011 with plans to address it in > 2014. > > I am specifically interested in the issue of GEC means continues > (irreversible splices) and the whole business of the DC side of these devices > constituting a separately derived system. > > Enphase technical support is fine if the micro inverter chasis is bonded to a > EGC only, but they leave the lug on the chasis if you want/need to build a > GEC. > > SolarBridge (pre-assembled micro-inverter) seems to be devoid of a chasis lug > and therefore by extension does not/can not had a GEC in the system. > > Exeltech (integrated micro-inverter aka. ACPV) does not seem to have a lug on > its chasis. > > Has the industry pretty much moved to not requiring a GEC for these devices > and if so, how are the AHJ taking it? > > Thanks, > Mark Frye > Berkeley Solar Electric Systems > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail and its attachments are intended only for > the use of the individual or entity who is the intended recipient and may > contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from > disclosure or any type of use under applicable law. 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