After much analysis, I decided to use Sunnyboys and now have my electrical permit.

The City of San Jose put a note on my drawing to make sure I comply with sec. 690-41 of the National Electric Code. This requires that one side of the PVs be grounded. From the manual, it looks like the Sunny Boy requires both + and - PV inputs to be isolated from ground.

How is sec. 690-41 interpreted in a Sunny Boy system? Do I tell them that I have a "3-wire" system, with the third wire being the ground? I don't think so - I believe that by 3-wire they mean a "center-tapped" string. Or are we using the "other methods" exception?

Also, sec. 690-5 requires GFDI devices. It appears that this is built into the Sunny Boy. Has anyone gotten an electrical inspector to accept this?

Jerry

Hi,

With the Sunnyboy, the negative PV (groundED conductor) is connected (bonded) inside of the inverter to ground (groundING conductor) thru the GFDI circuitry that is built into the inverter.

The PV frame and mounts need a separate groundING wire.

[ June 01, 2003: Message edited by: Ron Schroeder ]

Thanks, Ron. If the PV negative is BONDed inside, then it all makes sense and I know what I SHALL do to pass the inspection. By the way, I can tell from your careful use of words that you've been reading the NEC!

Jerry

Hi Jerry,

You SHALL have a good time with PV. [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]