Utility Disconnect above flood level
fafcosolar
Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭
I have a situation where we installed a fused disconnect next to a meter location where we intended to do a line side tap. We found out that the meter is below flood level (allowed by variance). However, our utility disconnect cannot be below the flood level. The flood level is 7 feet above the ground surface, which would put the utility disconnect higher than allowed by NEC 404.8. The utility company requires that the utility PV disconnect be co-located with this meter location, and it is certainly more convenient for us.
In other words, we are between a rock and a hard place.
Anyone have a solution?
In other words, we are between a rock and a hard place.
Anyone have a solution?
Comments
Mount the switch up high, with a pull rope/lever on it, like the power co disconnects on a power pole?
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if they allowed a variance for the meter they should allow a variance for the disconnect. under what reason was the variance for the meter allowed? submit for variance under the same reason and also site their variance for the meter makes it impossible for you to comply with the disconnect requirements without extending the variance to include the disconnect.
If they are reasonable Niel is right. If the flood covers up the meter, it won't matter whether it covers the disconnect or not.
Expecting common sense? Scary!
George Casson a friend in Tallahasse, wanted to placed a simple sign for his cottage business of doing picture framing, little 2' square hardly see it from the road. but he was in a residentail area and was asked to take it down, only a small sign on the door was allowed.
The nicely jigsawed finger he cut out of a 4x8 sheet of plywood was sculpture and hence protected, also easily seen from the road. George has passed now but we need that spirit!
- Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
If could not swing a variance for the disconnect, I would use an extender like Mike suggested or build a small "service" platform, say 4' up, to meet the NEC height requirement or the inverter mounted closeby perhaps to meet the exception.
GP
I'd use a shunt trip breaker as an automated main service disconnect, then do whatever was easiest to get past the inspectors. Use a sump-pump switch in a piece of PVC to activate the breaker. See if the AHJ will approve that.
The amount of post-flood damage I saw while gutting buildings in New Orleans was amazing. People left their power on when they evacuated -- had there been a means to disconnect power when the water reached the slab, a fair amount of electricity-related damage could have been avoided.
There had been a FEMA document which =required= the main service disconnect be above the flood plain. I went looking for it a while ago and could no longer find it. I think the theory is that in the event of flooding, someone still might want to operate the disconnect -- part of the problem with repowering parts of New Orleans was the number of trashed services that were still "on".
So, I'm on the side of "don't get a variance, just build a 4' or so deck with steps so the disconnect meets code."