Can an inverter be used as a raceway?

[illco99]

The contractor has installed two Satcon inverters side-by-side and plans to run the conductors through the first one and into the second. He claims Satcon is providing a letter stating that this is acceptable. Has anyone encountered this and or are there any NEC codes prohibiting this?

 

[jaggedben]

There is nothing in the NEC that prohibits it per se.

One could treat the inverter housing as an enclosure and enforce all the rules for fill and wire-bending space, etc.. My guess is that a Satcon will generally have plenty of space for that.

Otherwise, I would say it comes down to 110.3(B). So if Satcon is not worried about their listing, that goes a long way with me.

Is there some particular reason you think it's dangerous?

As far as encountering it, I have seen data cabling get passed from one central inverter to another (where it needed to go to both inverters) but not power conductors.

 

[illco99]

Thank you Ben, I agree. The only other reference I might add to it is 690.4(B) but as long as Satcon is OK with it, I'm oK.

 

[Zee]

Many residential inverters are built specifically for this. I.e., the KO's line up side to side to allow conductors to pass thru.. I have installed many - all Code Compliant and permitted.