Solar Module Grounding Method

[shortcircuit2]

Panel Maker #1...Here is LG Instructions http://www.lg.com/us/commercial/documents/lg-installation-guide-g3.pdf for their S1C-G3 series panels? Instructions on page 5 only show 1 method to ground panels.

Panel Maker #2...Here is Sanyo Instructions http://us.sanyo.com/dynamic/LinkLis...erInstallationManual_VBHNxxxSA06_120725-1.pdf for their panels? Instructions show a few methods but no WEEBS to ground panel.

Panel Maker #3...Here is Suniva Instructions http://www.suniva.com/documents/SI&IM 9_OPT Rev 2 IEC & UL.pdf for their panels? Instructions show multiple methods including WEEBS to ground panel.

690.4(D) says photovoltaic modules shall be listed.

110.3(B) says listed equipment SHALL be installed in accordance with the instructions.

Can panel maker #1 & #2 have their solar panels installed with the WEEB grounding system?

 

[jaggedben]

Okay here's my opinion (which is worth nothing because I'm not an AHJ, but here it goes anyway...)

First of all, nice variety of examples.

1) LG: WEEBS should be allowed. The instructions, remarkably, state that grounding is not 'mandatory' but only 'recommended.' The rest of the language generally only 'recommends' certain things and otherwise throws it to the NEC and UL 1703, which in my opinion explicitly permit WEEBS. I see no language that explicitly or implicitly limits grounding methods to what is mentioned in the instructions. Finally, note this language.

Where common grounding hardware (nut, bolts, washers) is used to attach a listed grounding device, the attachment must be made in conformance with the grounding device manufacturer‟s instructions.

Technically a WEEB is a 'washer', and I would argue that it is common grounding hardware (at least for PV panels), so as long as you follow the WEEB instructions, you're good.

2) Sanyo: WEEBs could be reasonably disallowed. The following language pretty much limits you to only three products (notwithstanding the odd use of the word 'wire'):

Acceptable grounding wire is following.

Ilsco Corp. GBL-4DBT 10-14AWG- Solid, 4-6, 8, 10-14AWG-Strand

Burndy L L C CL501TN 14AWG-Solid, 14-4AWG-Strand

Tyco Electronics Corp. 1954381-1/1954381-2 10-12AWG Solid

(Pretty dang annoying for a manufacturer to do that.)

3) Suniva: WEEBS "may be used". Just quoting from instructions.

 

[ggunn]

Okay here's my opinion (which is worth nothing because I'm not an AHJ, but here it goes anyway...)

First of all, nice variety of examples.

1) LG: WEEBS should be allowed. The instructions, remarkably, state that grounding is not 'mandatory' but only 'recommended.' The rest of the language generally only 'recommends' certain things and otherwise throws it to the NEC and UL 1703, which in my opinion explicitly permit WEEBS. I see no language that explicitly or implicitly limits grounding methods to what is mentioned in the instructions. Finally, note this language.



Technically a WEEB is a 'washer', and I would argue that it is common grounding hardware (at least for PV panels), so as long as you follow the WEEB instructions, you're good.

2) Sanyo: WEEBs could be reasonably disallowed. The following language pretty much limits you to only three products (notwithstanding the odd use of the word 'wire'):



(Pretty dang annoying for a manufacturer to do that.)

3) Suniva: WEEBS "may be used". Just quoting from instructions.

It's pretty silly (not to mention annoying) that WEEBs would be OK for some modules and not others. The frames are all the same. This could mean the difference between using and not using a line of modules for a big job because of the difference in labor expense.