Solar Panels installed on Light Poles

You are not logged in. [Log In] IAEI Florida Chapter » Forums » Code Discussion » NEC Forum » Solar Panels installed on Light Poles

Florida Chapter Officers

BOD Chairman
Dan Prater
President
Ted Licitra
1st Vice President
Mark Deegan
2nd Vice President
Richard Wheelus
3rd Vice President
Vince Dellacroce
Chaplain
James Douglas
Secretary
Joe DuPriest
Treasurer
Eric L Wasser
Parliamentarian
Tim Wright

Top Posters (30 Days)

Google Search

Today's Birthdays

No Birthdays

Topic Options

Rate This Topic

#8676 - 01/05/12 08:48 AM Solar Panels installed on Light Poles
Nick Sasso Post-A-Holic Member Registered: 11/08/01 Posts: 1451 Loc: West Palm Beach	I recently ran across small PV panels (maybe 250 watt) installed on light poles, and red-tagged the job for violation of 690.4(B). However I am being told that since only AC wiring (not DC) runs through the light pole (along with the other conductors), that it is not considered to be a "PV output circuit" and that all the conductors can be in the light pole, mixed together. The contractor claims that it is not a violation of 690.4. Am I wrong? The only other places that I have ever seen PV panels installed on light poles, are at utilities, which we all know are not subject to the regulations of NEC therefore it is OK. Appreciate any input. _________________________
Top

#8678 - 01/05/12 09:51 AM Re: Solar Panels installed on Light Poles [Re: Nick Sasso]
Paul J Cameron Mechanic Member Registered: 11/04/03 Posts: 412 Loc: Pasco County Florida	Other than the AC wires, what are the "other wires" running through the pole? What is this pole for? _________________________ Paul Cameron Chief Electrical Inspector Pasco County Past President IAEI Suncoast
Top

#8680 - 01/05/12 10:24 AM Re: Solar Panels installed on Light Poles [Re: Paul J Cameron]
Nick Sasso Post-A-Holic Member Registered: 11/08/01 Posts: 1451 Loc: West Palm Beach	It is for parking lot lighting. I also think that there is CCTV wires in the raceway as well. _________________________
Top

#8685 - 01/06/12 08:01 PM Re: Solar Panels installed on Light Poles [Re: Nick Sasso]
inspector32513 Lynn Adams Registered: 10/06/05 Posts: 46 Loc: Pensacola, FL	If teh solar panels have "UL 1741 " listed 'micro inverters' attached to the back of the panel- about the size of a paperback book- then they are AC as the AC from the base of the pole(?) goes up and the inverter matches the voltage frequency and phase to the supply source. If power is disconnected from the AC wires the inverter kills the output in <2 cycles. I would still want a label on the outside fo the pole stating there is an alternate source of supply. and the wires should terminate on an overcurrent device labeled "PV Supply" I assume there is a panel of some sort on the pole? or do these wires go to some other circuit? The CCTV may be a violation if not insulated for the voltage present. _________________________ Lynn Adams Chief Electrical Inspector, Escambia County IAEI_Panhandle Division
Top

#8686 - 01/06/12 08:49 PM Re: Solar Panels installed on Light Poles [Re: Nick Sasso]
Nick Sasso Post-A-Holic Member Registered: 11/08/01 Posts: 1451 Loc: West Palm Beach	That is a great point about the labeling. I did not get much slack so far after I red tagged it. I was only there about 5 minutes (been pushed for time lately) so if I can get more details I will post back. If I ever get time I may also give a call to Wiley. _________________________
Top