• Have you tried out dark mode?! Scroll to the bottom of any page to find a sun or moon icon to turn dark mode on or off!

diy solar

diy solar

See anything obviously wrong with my diy install?

doox00

Solar Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 22, 2023
Messages
301
Location
US-MI
Anything stand out as you are going to fail inspection? All the grid side AC stuff has been inspected and approved already, all the solar stuff needs to be inspected yet, will schedule final for next week.

 
Last edited:
Hard to say from that quick overview.
Can't see any of the details, that the inspector will be looking for.
Wire type and sizes.
How everything is connected.
Types of conduit and fittings.
Terminations.
Grounding.
 
Do you have RSD for the panels on the pole barn roof?

I have a disconnect for each array of panels, there is a single disconnect on the pole barn that disconnects both strings (20 panels total), each ground mount has a disconnect and a disconnect for the panels on the shed roof as well.
 
Hard to say from that quick overview.
Can't see any of the details, that the inspector will be looking for.
Wire type and sizes.
How everything is connected.
Types of conduit and fittings.
Terminations.
Grounding.

All the PV wire is 10 gauge direct bury wire, 10 gauge direct bury wire for all the grounds from each array, which is grounded to a grounding bar inside the wireway. I have a 4 gauge wire from that ground bar to the ground in the electrical panel next to the wireway. Using 8 gauge romex (with jacket removed, so just the conductors themselves in conduit) for the grid to inverter and inverter to panel connections. Using EMT conduit and fittings. Should I be using ferules into the inverter for each connection, just have the bare copper wire right now? I used a torque wrench for each connection on the inverter as well, set to what the manual specified for each connection.
 
Can’t speak for the functionality but it looks a lot better than mine…👍
 
I have a disconnect for each array of panels, there is a single disconnect on the pole barn that disconnects both strings (20 panels total), each ground mount has a disconnect and a disconnect for the panels on the shed roof as well.
I think technically you are required to have it on any "building" but per the note at the bottom I would argue that firefighters are not likely to engage in rooftop firefighting on a pole barn. Some inspectors care about it some dont.

RSD is different from disconnects as they want to reduce system voltage below 80v, in most cases this needs an rsd device between each panel.

Screenshot_20241030_214810.jpg
 
with jacket removed, so just the conductors themselves in conduit
This doesn't meet code, as the individual conductors aren't identified. The (removed) jacket had the conductor identification on it. The inspector may not catch it.
Should I be using ferules into the inverter for each connection, just have the bare copper wire right now?
This is not a code requirement, so no issue either way
 
I think technically you are required to have it on any "building" but per the note at the bottom I would argue that firefighters are not likely to engage in rooftop firefighting on a pole barn. Some inspectors care about it some dont.

RSD is different from disconnects as they want to reduce system voltage below 80v, in most cases this needs an rsd device between each panel.

View attachment 252915
Rapid shutdown only applies to "inhabitable" buildings.
Basically, if you could live or sleep there.
 
Rapid shutdown only applies to "inhabitable" buildings.
Basically, if you could live or sleep there.
Ive had this conversation with an inspector. I think its a matter of interpretation. Im with you, i dont think it should be required on a barn.

He explained it this way---- NEC uses the term "dwelling" when they assume people are living inside. They use the term "building" when referring to just about everything else, thats why the exception is unattached carports and other structures without walls.
 
This doesn't meet code, as the individual conductors aren't identified. The (removed) jacket had the conductor identification on it. The inspector may not catch it.

Ahh okay, I have some of the wire with the jacket on it, if he does catch it maybe he will let it slide if I show him that, shows 600v on the jacket.
 
Ive had this conversation with an inspector. I think its a matter of interpretation. Im with you, i dont think it should be required on a barn.

He explained it this way---- NEC uses the term "dwelling" when they assume people are living inside. They use the term "building" when referring to just about everything else, thats why the exception is unattached carports and other structures without walls.
Hopefully he will not require it, the pole barn has 61 degree roof where the panels are mounted, don't think a fire fighter will be up on that roof :)
 
Ive had this conversation with an inspector. I think its a matter of interpretation. Im with you, i dont think it should be required on a barn.

He explained it this way---- NEC uses the term "dwelling" when they assume people are living inside. They use the term "building" when referring to just about everything else, thats why the exception is unattached carports and other structures without walls.
It's definitely up to interpretation.
The entire NEC is.
I have found that if you can argue your point knowledgeably, you usually win.
 
This doesn't meet code, as the individual conductors aren't identified. The (removed) jacket had the conductor identification on it. The inspector may not catch it.

This is not a code requirement, so no issue either way
it meets code *IF* the individual conductors are identified. Some are identified/correctly correctly inside the bundle and others are not.
 
Nice setup. Why not go with a tier 1 inverter if you got the ca$h for it?
The 6000xp's are cheap and have great reviews overall , if they fail it is easy and cheap to swap one out and can easily add more if I need to expand the system.
 

diy solar

diy solar
Back
Top