Siemens W0202MB1200CU 200 Amp Outdoor Circuit Breaker Enclosure

[fsfchou]

My current system is a Sol-Ark 15k with 36 solar panel (10 year old) with two EG4 battery and it is running great, but the Center Point of Energy, a Houston utility company, disapproved my distributed generation (DG) application because the service disconnect which I am using as described in the subject title.

The argument of the utility company is that it is invisible to the service personnel as follows: "Complainant' s Exceptions state that his proposed disconnect device should be approved, because it has a visible on-off switch. He does not dispute that the actual break is enclosed in a molded plastic case and not visually accessible. Only distributed generation disconnect mechanisms that have a visual break are permitted by the Commission' s rule 16 TAC § 25.212(b)(8) to be connected to a utility's electrical system."

Just wonder if anyone can figure out what the utility company, Center Point of Energy, is saying?

 

[Daferris]

I ran into the same issue and had to use a fused safety switch like this one. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens...-General-Duty-Fused-Outdoor-GF224NR/302352591
I did find a decent price on AliExpress for about $325 but it's not coming till the 20th.
The best price I found on a pair of fuses was Max Warehouse for the 2 it was $60 They are coming on the 13th.

 

[fsfchou]

I ran into the same issue and had to use a fused safety switch like this one. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens...-General-Duty-Fused-Outdoor-GF224NR/302352591
I did find a decent price on AliExpress for about $325 but it's not coming till the 20th.
The best price I found on a pair of fuses was Max Warehouse for the 2 it was $60 They are coming on the 13th.

I am no hurry, but to me what the reason used by the Center Point Energy does not make any sense, because the service disconnect which I am using is the same as in the Main Service Panel. If what their saying make sense then all the Main Service Panel need to be changed. I already filed a formal complain to the Texas PUC commission, however, instead helping me the PUC attorney joined the Center Point Energy against me. Thanks for your information. Why it is a 2 pole not 3 pole fused safety switch.

 

[fsfchou]

I ran into the same issue and had to use a fused safety switch like this one. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens...-General-Duty-Fused-Outdoor-GF224NR/302352591
I did find a decent price on AliExpress for about $325 but it's not coming till the 20th.
The best price I found on a pair of fuses was Max Warehouse for the 2 it was $60 They are coming on the 13th.

The home depot has a one like the one, you have mentioned, cost about $425, but the one with 3 pole cost about $700

 

[kscessnadriver]

The home depot has a one like the one, you have mentioned, cost about $425, but the one with 3 pole cost about $700

Why do you need 3 poles?

 

[fsfchou]

Why do you need 3 poles?

two hot wires, one natural; 3 poles. May be interpretation is wrong. Also need one for the ground. Basically, I am not very familiar with the safety switch. It is appreciated if you have give me some explanation about the difference meaning between 2 and 3 poles. Thanks!

 

[kscessnadriver]

two hot wires, one natural; 3 poles. May be interpretation is wrong. Also need one for the ground. Basically, I am not very familiar with the safety switch. It is appreciated if you have give me some explanation about the difference meaning between 2 and 3 poles. Thanks!

You won’t switch the neutral. Ground is taken care of with a lug in the device. The 2 pole is all you need for a standard US 240V split phase system

 

[fsfchou]

You won’t switch the neutral. Ground is taken care of with a lug in the device. The 2 pole is all you need for a standard US 240V split phase system

Thanks a lot! I am still fighting with the Center Point of Energy, and my case will have a court hearing on March 13. The ending in the court, may not be good for me, since the PUC commission is on the utility company side. In the meantime, I am also thinking about to file a case in the small court (may be there will have some common sense) to ask for a compensation.

 

[kscessnadriver]

Thanks a lot! I am still fighting with the Center Point of Energy, and my case will have a court hearing on March 13. The ending in the court, may not be good for me, since the PUC commission is on the utility company side. In the meantime, I am also thinking about to file a case in the small court (may be there will have some common sense) to ask for a compensation.

You're not going to win. This is a standard item on nearly every grid tied install I've ever seen, doesn't matter where. Pay the money, buy the switch and move on with life. It's not worth fighting an un-winnable fight.

 

[fsfchou]

You're not going to win. This is a standard item on nearly every grid tied install I've ever seen, doesn't matter where. Pay the money, buy the switch and move on with life. It's not worth fighting an un-winnable fight.

Thanks very much for your advice and I do like to have your comments on the rebuttal which I sent to the Center Point of Energy and the Texas PUC commission for your review. I do like to challenge this un-winnable fight until the end. Thanks a lot!