Re: [RE-wrenches] NEC 690.55 - maximum operating voltage
On 6/10/2013 8:08 PM, Bob Clark wrote: RE_Wrenches: Can someone tell me what is being referred to in NEC 690.55 when it says Photovoltaic power systems employing energy storage shall also be marked with the maximum operating voltage, . . . ? .including any equalization voltage and the polarity of the grounded circuit conductor... To me, this says maximum battery voltage and if it is positive or negative grounded. For instance, if your typical off grid house 48V systems' maximum battery temperature compensated voltage is 62.5 volts, then that sign might say 62.5V DC maximum operating voltage, negative ground system. That's my interpretation anyway. In addition, above 690.55 I see... 690.53 Direct-Current Photovoltaic Power Source. which to me would indicate MPPT voltage, current, etc. (not Voc) boB We have an off-grid system which employs energy storage [i.e.; batteries]; so I need to know what exactly is referred to when this section mentions maximum operating voltage so I can put it on a sign. *Bob Clark* */SolarWind Energy Systems, LLC/* ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] NEC 690.55 - maximum operating voltage
Equalization voltage is how we have interpreted this. It clearly does not say nominal. -Original Message- From: Bob Clark bcl...@solar-wind.us Sent: 6/10/2013 23:08 To: 'RE-Wrenches' re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: [RE-wrenches] NEC 690.55 - maximum operating voltage RE_Wrenches: Can someone tell me what is being referred to in NEC 690.55 when it says Photovoltaic power systems employing energy storage shall also be marked with the maximum operating voltage, . . . ? We have an off-grid system which employs energy storage [i.e.; batteries]; so I need to know what exactly is referred to when this section mentions maximum operating voltage so I can put it on a sign. Bob Clark SolarWind Energy Systems, LLC ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] Orphan Dankoff pump - controller?
Hilton, ETAPump was Dankoff Solar's name for the Lorentz. Dankoff was the first to bring Lorentz pumps to the Americas. Contact GenPro for parts and service for the northern tier of the US. Allan Allan Sindelar al...@positiveenergysolar.com NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician Founder and Chief Technology Officer Positive Energy, Inc., a Certified B CorporationTM 3209 Richards Lane Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell www.positiveenergysolar.com On 6/10/2013 9:16 PM, Hilton Dier III wrote: Hello Wrenches, I got a call last week to go out and look at a DC pump that had stopped working. probably hit by lightning in our recent spate of thunderstorms. The pump is a Dankoff 24V ETAPump. The controller that got popped was a more recent style of controller that uses a normal pressure switch. I replaced it with their old spare controller, which uses a pressure switch that closes when the pressure goes high. Luckily they still had that switch. The older style controller was cranky and had to be reset on a regular basis, so they are looking for another controller like the popped one. They don't seem to exist anymore. I know that Dankoff got bought out by a bigger company (Conergy?). Is there a controller for the old ETAPump being sold under another name? Is there a compatible controller from another company? It seemed to be one of those units like the Lorentz that turns 24/48 VDC into some kind of 3-phase power. It also has a pressure switch input and a low water input. Thanks. Hilton -- Hilton Dier III Renewable Energy Design Partner, Solar Gain LLC 453 East Hill Rd. Middlesex, VT 05602 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address 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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] NEC 690.55 - maximum operating voltage
Hi Bob, I would rather it be worded maximum normal operating voltage. Maximum operating voltage would be the recommended BULK voltage for the battery type being utilized. Equalization is a maintenance procedure, which is why it calls for separate listing. It must also include polarity of grounded conductor. Eric _ Eric Bentsen | Schneider Electric | Solar Business | UNITED STATES | Technical Support Representative Phone: +(650) 351-8237 ext. 001# | Email: eric.bent...@schneider-electric.com | Site: www.schneider-electric.com/solar | Address: 250 South Vasco Rd., Livermore, CA 94551 *** Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail From: Bob Clark bcl...@solar-wind.us To: 'RE-Wrenches' re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Date: 06/10/2013 08:08 PM Subject: [RE-wrenches] NEC 690.55 - maximum operating voltage Sent by: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org RE_Wrenches: Can someone tell me what is being referred to in NEC 690.55 when it says “Photovoltaic power systems employing energy storage shall also be marked with the “maximum operating voltage, . . .” ? We have an off-grid system which employs energy storage [i.e.; batteries]; so I need to know what exactly is referred to when this section mentions “maximum operating voltage” so I can put it on a sign. Bob Clark SolarWind Energy Systems, LLC __ This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. __ ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address 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 image/jpeg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] NEC 690.55 - maximum operating voltage
HI All, I mean as its worded, it would also be 240vac? jay peltz power On Jun 11, 2013, at 7:30 AM, eric.bent...@schneider-electric.com wrote: Hi Bob, I would rather it be worded maximum normal operating voltage. Maximum operating voltage would be the recommended BULK voltage for the battery type being utilized. Equalization is a maintenance procedure, which is why it calls for separate listing. It must also include polarity of grounded conductor. Eric _ Eric Bentsen | Schneider Electric | Solar Business | UNITED STATES | Technical Support Representative Phone: +(650) 351-8237 ext. 001# | Email: eric.bent...@schneider-electric.com | Site: www.schneider-electric.com/solar | Address: 250 South Vasco Rd., Livermore, CA 94551 Mail Attachment.jpeg *** Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail From: Bob Clark bcl...@solar-wind.us To: 'RE-Wrenches' re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Date: 06/10/2013 08:08 PM Subject: [RE-wrenches] NEC 690.55 - maximum operating voltage Sent by: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org RE_Wrenches: Can someone tell me what is being referred to in NEC 690.55 when it says “Photovoltaic power systems employing energy storage shall also be marked with the “maximum operating voltage, . . .” ? We have an off-grid system which employs energy storage [i.e.; batteries]; so I need to know what exactly is referred to when this section mentions “maximum operating voltage” so I can put it on a sign. Bob Clark SolarWind Energy Systems, LLC ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] NEC 690.55 - maximum operating voltage
This seems like another well meaning but slightly awkward code requirement. I think it would be sufficient to list the nominal battery voltage (very important to know) and then the actual variation in voltage is not going to be too hard to comprehend. Knowing array Voc is also very important. If you think you have a 12 v based battery system, but the array is actually at 480 Voc, you need to know that, before taking any covers off. Code requirements aside, I think we need to list: Array Voc Battery Nominal Voltage AC voltages That should be on the outside of every J box with connections inside, so you know how to set your meter. If there's DC, and you're testing for AC in a box, you might think power is off. My handy voltage sniffer only senses AC for instance, so modern battery based PV systems can get dangerous with high voltage DC arrays, especially if you're trouble shooting a DIY system. I've seen wires fed by three different sources, and gotten shocked trying to remove the 2nd source. On code requirements like this, I move closer to the spirit of the law, which is to keep everybody safe. The inspectors usually agree, but you'll always have an AHJ that wants something different. R.Ray Walters CTO, Solarray, Inc Nabcep Certified PV Installer, Licensed Master Electrician Solar Design Engineer 303 505-8760 On 6/11/2013 9:33 AM, jay peltz wrote: HI All, I mean as its worded, it would also be 240vac? jay peltz power On Jun 11, 2013, at 7:30 AM, eric.bent...@schneider-electric.com mailto:eric.bent...@schneider-electric.com wrote: Hi Bob, I would rather it be worded maximum normal operating voltage. Maximum operating voltage would be the recommended BULK voltage for the battery type being utilized. Equalization is a maintenance procedure, which is why it calls for separate listing. It must also include polarity of grounded conductor. Eric _ * Eric Bentsen* | *Schneider Electric ** | Solar Business* | *UNITED STATES* | *Technical Support Representative* * Phone:* +(650) 351-8237 ext. 001# | * Email:* _eric.bentsen@schneider-electric.com_ mailto:eric.bent...@schneider-electric.com | *Site:*_www.schneider-electric.com/solar_ http://www.schneider-electric.com/solar | *Address:* 250 South Vasco Rd., Livermore, CA 94551 _ _Mail Attachment.jpeg x-msg://179/www.schneider-electric.com/solar *** Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail From: Bob Clark bcl...@solar-wind.us mailto:bcl...@solar-wind.us To: 'RE-Wrenches' re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Date: 06/10/2013 08:08 PM Subject:[RE-wrenches] NEC 690.55 - maximum operating voltage Sent by: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org RE_Wrenches: Can someone tell me what is being referred to in NEC 690.55 when it says Photovoltaic power systems employing energy storage shall also be marked with the maximum operating voltage, . . . ? We have an off-grid system which employs energy storage [i.e.; batteries]; so I need to know what exactly is referred to when this section mentions maximum operating voltage so I can put it on a sign. *Bob Clark* */SolarWind Energy Systems, LLC/* ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address 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 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address 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
[RE-wrenches] Thermal imaging
Wrenches - I am considering the purchase of a thermal imaging camera for PV system commissioning applications. Prices seem to range from $1,000 to $10,000+. Primary manufacturers seem to be Fluke and Flir, with Extech, Ideal and Milwaukee offering a few products as well. It seems to me that the key factors to consider are temperature range, thermal sensitivity, screen resolution, screen size, battery life, type of image capture and price. Does anyone have experience with using thermal imaging to identify temperature irregularities in modules and/or electrical equipment? What temperature range, thermal sensitivity, and screen resolution is needed for both/either of these tasks? What have been the key factors/specifications in terms of ergonomics and functionality? Any preferences in terms of manufacturer? For a brighter energy future, Andrew Truitt NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™ (ID# 032407-66) Principal Truitt Renewable Energy Consulting, LLC (202) 486-7507 LinkedIn Profile http://www.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-truitt/8/622/713 Company Website http://truittreconsulting.weebly.com/ %28202%29%20486-7507 [image: 24 copy.jpg] Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless! ~William McDonough image001.jpg___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address 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
