Hedges
I See Electromagnetic Fields!
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2020
- Messages
- 20,695
My first system, I ran PVC surface mounted along outside wall of garage, then underground to a concrete wall where I put an indoor breaker panel in a shed, then surface mount along that two three ground mounts. Inspector passed it and I got PG&E hookup. Took a couple tries to get correct net metering time of use meter; one request was processed as standard time of use meter and PG&E guy observed that was incorrect because I had PV.
(I installed and had working prior to PG&E request, but with human meter reader they observed and threatened to disconnect if not approved. I even put a motion sensor at gate to shut off inverter so they likely wouldn't see meter spinning backwards, but they knew.)
After I expanded to another array, that inspector said the PVC could only be vertical from box to underground, not use for horizontal surface-mounted runs. Hose clamps holding conduit to array frame. And he commented on my having putting a shed around the panel because it wasn't a rainproof panel. He also didn't like my catawampus struts supporting 18' rails, expanding the size of what were originally pole mounts with 9' rails. (bolted to concrete where that was, rather than legs in all the right places.
I removed shed (really a 19" rack with walls and roof) put a 3R panel on the garage just before underground run, redid all the runs with rigid, used unistrut to hold conduit to metal structure, think I may have put in for a new permit with some additional panels? Anyway I think it was done right that time, and new inspector passed it.
Another system I did on a coworker's shake roof, with unistrut. EMC (I think) down to disconnects by panel & meter. Drilled hole in concrete walkway and drove in ground rod. Inspector asked how deep the rod was, I said all the way (We probably spent an hour or two pounding it). Guess they often have people drive it in part way and cut off.
I think inspectors look for the usual shortcuts. Grounding not properly done, improper materials.
Also professional looking and clean. When I did a panel at my sister's hours and mounted yard lights under the eaves with EMC to boxes, so all wires in metal, inspector liked that.
(I installed and had working prior to PG&E request, but with human meter reader they observed and threatened to disconnect if not approved. I even put a motion sensor at gate to shut off inverter so they likely wouldn't see meter spinning backwards, but they knew.)
After I expanded to another array, that inspector said the PVC could only be vertical from box to underground, not use for horizontal surface-mounted runs. Hose clamps holding conduit to array frame. And he commented on my having putting a shed around the panel because it wasn't a rainproof panel. He also didn't like my catawampus struts supporting 18' rails, expanding the size of what were originally pole mounts with 9' rails. (bolted to concrete where that was, rather than legs in all the right places.
I removed shed (really a 19" rack with walls and roof) put a 3R panel on the garage just before underground run, redid all the runs with rigid, used unistrut to hold conduit to metal structure, think I may have put in for a new permit with some additional panels? Anyway I think it was done right that time, and new inspector passed it.
Another system I did on a coworker's shake roof, with unistrut. EMC (I think) down to disconnects by panel & meter. Drilled hole in concrete walkway and drove in ground rod. Inspector asked how deep the rod was, I said all the way (We probably spent an hour or two pounding it). Guess they often have people drive it in part way and cut off.
I think inspectors look for the usual shortcuts. Grounding not properly done, improper materials.
Also professional looking and clean. When I did a panel at my sister's hours and mounted yard lights under the eaves with EMC to boxes, so all wires in metal, inspector liked that.
