I was called onto an "art project" that has major malfunctions. The major ones being a homemade (unlisted), uncoated ferrous metal, underground enclosure that contains: the inverter, the charge controller, the panel board, and the batteries.
I am very surprised that PV company installed it without saying anything. Maybe they did, but it was installed nonetheless. I was called in two months after it was installed and upon opening up the enclosure, found 4" of standing water at the bottom of it. A GFCI outlet was below water and had tripped, but all the rest of the equipment was above water and appeared to be undamaged.
I am writing an extensive report about the code violations, but could use some help. I am indicating they need a new, listed enclosure.
They need to install the Panelboard above ground (is this a clearance violation, or can I point to somewhere else?).
If the inverter and charge controller are listed for wet locations, are they allowed to be installed underground in the new listed enclosure? My thoughts are NO as there is little ventilation. Where would I find clearances needed for PV equipment.
There are two 12 V Marine Grade batteries in series, and there is a simple 3" vent pipe. I am claiming this is not "sufficient diffusion and ventilation of battery gases to prevent accumulation." Am I wrong on this? Will this 3" vent pipe in this underground enclosure prevent accumulation without an exhaust fan? Are batteries allowed to be installed below ground?
Thanks for anyone's help,
Michael Camacho, P.E.
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