Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall

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Batikikik
Batikikik Solar Expert Posts: 141 ✭✭✭✭✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
What is the best option for solar wiring conduit inside the wall ????
Flex??
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  • n3qik
    n3qik Solar Expert Posts: 741 ✭✭
    #2
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall

    If it is from the array to the first fuse/breaker. It has to be EMT or Rigid Metal Conduit. If it is after, then flex or PVC will do.
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  • Batikikik
    Batikikik Solar Expert Posts: 141 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall

    It means if you have fused combiner up on the roof you can use flex if not you have to use emt or ridgid ??? how your gonna run ridgid or emt thru the wall thru wood and all stuff?
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  • n3qik
    n3qik Solar Expert Posts: 741 ✭✭
    #4
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall

    With the right contractor and enough $$$. Anything is possible.

    Did a ceiling fan with lights once.Eight hours and 4-5 holes in drywall later it was done.
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  • Solar Guppy
    Solar Guppy Solar Expert Posts: 1,989 ✭✭✭
    #5
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall
    Batikikik wrote: »
    It means if you have fused combiner up on the roof you can use flex if not you have to use emt or ridgid ??? how your gonna run ridgid or emt thru the wall thru wood and all stuff?

    This is a good example of why the law requires you have a master electrician provide the plans and there license number for the permit application, so its done to code.

    In addition, the NEC code is only part of the process, your local building department is fully within there right to deny hidden DC solar in the walls.

    For installing in completed structure, you will have to gut walls as they are required to be open for the ruff in inspection. Most installs that have runs internal to a structure, the conduit will be in accessible attic space, not interior/exterior wall
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  • Jburgess
    Jburgess Solar Expert Posts: 130 ✭✭✭
    #6
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall

    2011 NEC Look at 690.4 (F) and 690.31 (E) MC and FMC are two possibilities.
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  • Solar Guppy
    Solar Guppy Solar Expert Posts: 1,989 ✭✭✭
    #7
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall
    Jburgess wrote: »
    2011 NEC Look at 690.4 (F) and 690.31 (E) MC and FMC are two possibilities.

    If the local inspectors are using the most recent code ... and agree that its appropriate for there citizens.

    My experience suggests otherwise .. years behind and have their own opinions that you have no choice but to conform too
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  • Jburgess
    Jburgess Solar Expert Posts: 130 ✭✭✭
    #8
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall

    OP had previously claimed he was under 2011.

    http://forum.solar-electric.com/showthread.php?p=82255#post82255

    On Edit:

    My state legislature (Arizona) a few years ago passed a moratorium on adopting more restrictive codes. Some jurisdictions take this into account when reviewing plans that use clarifications or less restrictions in the newer codes.
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  • jaggedben
    jaggedben Solar Expert Posts: 230 ✭✭
    #9
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall
    n3qik wrote: »
    If it is from the array to the first fuse/breaker. It has to be EMT or Rigid Metal Conduit. If it is after, then flex or PVC will do.
    Batikikik wrote: »
    It means if you have fused combiner up on the roof you can use flex if not you have to use emt or ridgid ??? how your gonna run ridgid or emt thru the wall thru wood and all stuff?

    I think this is going down the wrong track...

    It does not matter if a dc pv circuit is a 'source circuit' (before combining, with a fuse or not) or an 'output circuit' (after combining, with a fuse or not). The same rules in 690.31 (E) apply.

    In the 2011 code, these circuits must be "contained in metal raceway, Type MC metal-clad cable that complies with 250.118(10), or metal enclosures from the point of penetration of the surface of the building to the first readily accessible disconnecting means."

    Only the underlined bit about MC cable is new in 2011. I don't have the 2008 code in front me, but I don't see how FMC, LFMC, FMT or IMC would not be allowed in that cycle either, unless a specific prohibition was taken out that I have forgotten about.

    A fuse is not a disconnecting means, so the rules apply all the way to the first readily accessible disconnect, not the first fuse. A roof is not readily accessible if you need a portable ladder to get up on it.
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  • Jburgess
    Jburgess Solar Expert Posts: 130 ✭✭✭
    #10
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall

    To move the discussion along.

    From the 2008 code. 690.31 (E)

    (E) Direct-Current Photovoltaic Source and Output
    Circuits Inside a Building. Where direct-current photovoltaic
    source or output circuits of a utility-interactive inverter
    from a building-integrated or other photovoltaic system are
    run inside a building or structure, they shall be contained in
    metal raceways, or metal enclosures, from the point of penetration
    of the surface of the building or structure to the
    first readily accessible disconnecting means. The disconnecting
    means shall comply with 690.14(A) through (D).

    From Article 100 definitions:

    Raceway. An enclosed channel of metal or nonmetallic
    materials designed expressly for holding wires, cables, or
    busbars, with additional functions as permitted in this
    Code. Raceways include, but are not limited to, rigid metal
    conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit,
    liquidtight flexible conduit, flexible metallic tubing,
    flexible metal conduit, electrical nonmetallic tubing,
    electrical metallic tubing, underfloor raceways, cellular
    concrete floor raceways, cellular metal floor raceways,
    surface raceways, wireways, and busways.
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  • Batikikik
    Batikikik Solar Expert Posts: 141 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #11
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall

    SO Flex is the best option I think.



    Thank you for replies.
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  • ggunn
    ggunn Solar Expert Posts: 1,973 ✭✭✭
    #12
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall
    Batikikik wrote: »
    SO Flex is the best option I think.



    Thank you for replies.
    Check with your AHJ. Here in Austin any conduit inside attic space or walls must be metallic.
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  • Batikikik
    Batikikik Solar Expert Posts: 141 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #13
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall

    Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you !
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  • jaggedben
    jaggedben Solar Expert Posts: 230 ✭✭
    #14
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    Re: Solar wiring and conduits inside the wall
    ggunn wrote: »
    Check with your AHJ. Here in Austin any conduit inside attic space or walls must be metallic.

    It must be metallic anywhere that uses the NEC as a standard, which is just about everywhere.

    Flexible metal conduit (FMC) is metallic. So is flexible metal tubing (FMT), though to be honest I'm not sure I ever seen it.
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