[RE-wrenches] Smart Utility meters

2011-03-05 Thread William Miller
Friends: Our local utility (PG&E) is installing smart meters. These will not apply to interconnected customers because the meter apparently is not capable of two way metering. There has been a lot of controversy about smart meters regarding safety, accuracy and many other issues. Do any of

Re: [RE-wrenches] grounding the Enphase inverter

2011-03-05 Thread Bill Brooks
Mark, The ac side of the system is clearly NOT separately derived since the neutral ground reference is not derived at the inverter but at the service entrance. Your previous post is correct about the fact that, since we are not pulling dc loads off the dc side, it really is not being used

Re: [RE-wrenches] grounding the Enphase inverter

2011-03-05 Thread Mark Frye
I guess the thinking is that DC side of the Enphase is grounded and therefore a separately derived system requiring it's own system grounding. This is achieved by connecting the GEC to the chassis of the inverter. If the DC side of the inverter were ungrounded, then it would not be a separately der

Re: [RE-wrenches] Spot welding PV's to rails for theft prevention: bad idea?

2011-03-05 Thread Bob-O Schultze
The sad truth is that if a determined, competent thief wants your stuff, it's likely gone. Fortunately, MOST thieves are neither. I use 1/4" stainless steel pop rivets in a situation like this. It takes a grinder to remove them and steal the PV. With a little luck someone will see the sparks fro