PV wire between tilted rows

Re: PV wire between tilted rows

Panduit Corp. has a "Raceway" system that channels data cables from one point to another. Most commonly found on internet networks between PCs. There may be other brands and sizes. Having worked for them for almost 14 years has its advantages, although I was reluctant not to obtain any in their periodic giveaways.

It's a small square plastic enclosure to cover the wires from dust, debris and abrasion.

Re: PV wire between tilted rows

i don't know if i'd have bent the pipe upwards and then down as this could trap condensation in the rest of the conduit with no way to let it out.

Re: PV wire between tilted rows

Looks good. I agree that it's not necessary to tie it in as part of the equipment ground if the PV frames (and thus the mounting framework) are properly grounded. (And besides, if you had used PVC, no one would have asked about grounding anyway.)

Now for the little nit-picky stuff.

When using 1-hole straps to secure a conduit, I don't put the screw *above* the conduit, I put it *under*. Sometimes, there is no choice, but usually there is. The problem with using a 1-hole strap "over the top" is that the first time someone accidentally puts a foot (or a knee, or a rump) on that EMT, the 1-hole strap will open up and the conduit will pop right out and slam down on the roof and according to law of Murphy, it will also yank that lo-vo wire hard enough to possibly cause what I refer to as "electrical excitement" (electrical excitement is why so very many electricians are nick-named "Sparky"). I can't see from where I'm sitting, but it looks like a 1-hole strap holding the EMT. If it is, then I would take it out, raise the conduit up a hair and use a 2-hole strap instead. Then if it gets stepped on, it will bend, but it won't yank that wire.

My only other nit-pick is that I would have preferred to see the conduit a bit shorter, so that the loop of wire coming out the end could be tied to the framework down leg to maximally minimize the free-hanging loop. On general principles I dislike wire that swings in the breeze. Drip loops are, of course, sometimes necessary, but they should be made up of the shortest possible amount of free-hanging wire.

Neil is correct that there is a potential water trap issue, but it looks like you've got that covered. I wouldn't sweat it - half of all the outdoor conduits I've ever seen had water in them and most of them worked just fine. You do what you can to keep the water out...and it goes where it wants anyway.

Re: PV wire between tilted rows

First post from a newbie here. After reading this thread I'm leary of showing you this but here's what I had to do on a recent job. It's on the roof of an RV. I used Eternabond to tape the wires down. In my defence, the customer waited until just before he was leaving before parking it somewhere indoors where I could do the work (winter) otherwise I would have gone and shopped for something hard to put it in in case he steps on it. Though it was a roof, he'll be going up and cleaning the panels so I wanted to keep it low profile to avoid a tripping hazard. It's one of those things you look back at after a job and say, I wish I'd...

-Steve
PS. Great forum. I'm picking up all kinds of tricks to use.

Re: PV wire between tilted rows

dwh wrote: »

I gotta go with TG on that one - if nothing else, it looks a bit sloppy and I'm a neat freak when it comes to wiring.

But hey, as long as the inspectors doesn't complain and the lights work...

Then I've =definitely= got to post some of my work. I don't get out the ironing board, but I do have a thing for straight lines and graceful curves.