Re: [RE-wrenches] PVC running through the house
As per the 2011 NEC, MC (metal clad cable) is now allowed to be run inside the building envelope for solar output circuits. Nick Soleil Project Manager Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC PO Box 657 Petaluma, CA 94953 Cell: 707-321-2937 Office: 707-789-9537 Fax:707-769-9037 From: Peter Parrish peter.parr...@calsolareng.com To: Keith Cronin electrich...@yahoo.com; RE-wrenches re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Sent: Thu, April 7, 2011 4:23:52 PM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] PVC running through the house The Code back then was a little vague back then and I am not sure it has been improved. First, there needs to be a DC disconnect just before or just after penetrating the building shell. Most AHJ allowed us to place this disconnect in the attic within reach of the access door. Once we needed to place the DC disconnect on the roof and we were able to get away with a fused combiner box. Another time we actually needed to put a 600V 3-pole fused disco on the roof. Second, and this is really an obscure point. Only conduit, raceways and the like (not cable runs) were allowed in the attic space and walls. So FMC is okay but MC is not. It is an issue of unfortunate terminology. Third, you need to label the conduit “Caution – Solar Circuit”, even in the walls. Finally, where the conduit passes thru studs, you need protection plates on the studs to prevent screws or nails piercing the conduit. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. -Peter Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President California Solar Engineering, Inc. 820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065 CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26 peter.parr...@calsolareng.com Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885 From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Keith Cronin Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 3:05 PM To: RE-Wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] PVC running through the house Hi folks Was wondering- does anyone know back in 2005, if it was permissible to run DC conductors from the roof, through the home to the inverter location, inside the house, per the NEC? Thanks Keith Cronin ___ 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___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] PVC running through the house
690.31(E), requiring metallic raceways or enclosures for DC circuits inside the building was introduced in the 2005 NEC. Depending on when the 2005 NEC was adopted by your local authority, it may or may not have been required at the time of the installation. -Hans _ From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Keith Cronin Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 3:05 PM To: RE-Wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] PVC running through the house Hi folks Was wondering- does anyone know back in 2005, if it was permissible to run DC conductors from the roof, through the home to the inverter location, inside the house, per the NEC? Thanks Keith Cronin ___ 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
Re: [RE-wrenches] PVC running through the house
The Code back then was a little vague back then and I am not sure it has been improved. First, there needs to be a DC disconnect just before or just after penetrating the building shell. Most AHJ allowed us to place this disconnect in the attic within reach of the access door. Once we needed to place the DC disconnect on the roof and we were able to get away with a fused combiner box. Another time we actually needed to put a 600V 3-pole fused disco on the roof. Second, and this is really an obscure point. Only conduit, raceways and the like (not cable runs) were allowed in the attic space and walls. So FMC is okay but MC is not. It is an issue of unfortunate terminology. Third, you need to label the conduit Caution Solar Circuit, even in the walls. Finally, where the conduit passes thru studs, you need protection plates on the studs to prevent screws or nails piercing the conduit. Thats my story and Im sticking to it. -Peter Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President California Solar Engineering, Inc. 820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065 CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26 peter.parr...@calsolareng.com Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885 From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Keith Cronin Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 3:05 PM To: RE-Wrenches Subject: [RE-wrenches] PVC running through the house Hi folks Was wondering- does anyone know back in 2005, if it was permissible to run DC conductors from the roof, through the home to the inverter location, inside the house, per the NEC? Thanks Keith Cronin ___ 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
