What are the most common mistakes?

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cowboyjwc said:
Because they are looking at it like the PV system is feeding to the panel (like it's usually drawn). Being an electrician I always plan check it backwards from the service to the panels. I just heard someone say that an inspector made him change it the other day, in another jurisdiction of course.
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Oh, I get why an inspector might look at it that way, but of course it is wrong. You'd think that all they would have to do to see it is to realize the the blades and fuses would be hot when the switch is open. I can't find anything in the NEC that explicitly says this, but it should be as obvious as not sticking your finger into a live light socket. That's not in the code, either. :D

One thing that should be obvious is that the OCPD in a PV inverter output circuit is to protect the conductors from fault current coming from the service; an inverter is a current limited device and if a system is designed correctly the inverter is incapable of endangering the conductors. In the event of a fault in the inverter circuit, the direction of the current flow is reversed from normal operation, going through the switch from line to load. That should make the inspector happy.

But you know all that, right?
 
There is a list of the 10 most common violations of Virginia electrical code somewhere on the internet, however the most common violations I see are as follows:

In no particular order, flying splices (no j-box), improperly secured Romex, box fill blown (overloaded ), three prong receptacles used on 2-wire circuits, incorrect panel schedules, too shallow burial depth for conduit, poorly made connections, improper wall or Firestop penetrations, boxes set too far back in the wall, wires too short in the box, improper grounding, comcables strapped to everything they should not be like other conduit sprinkler pipe laying on the grid, etcetera.
 
ggunn said:
Oh, I get why an inspector might look at it that way, but of course it is wrong. You'd think that all they would have to do to see it is to realize the the blades and fuses would be hot when the switch is open. I can't find anything in the NEC that explicitly says this, but it should be as obvious as not sticking your finger into a live light socket. That's not in the code, either. :D

One thing that should be obvious is that the OCPD in a PV inverter output circuit is to protect the conductors from fault current coming from the service; an inverter is a current limited device and if a system is designed correctly the inverter is incapable of endangering the conductors. In the event of a fault in the inverter circuit, the direction of the current flow is reversed from normal operation, going through the switch from line to load. That should make the inspector happy.

But you know all that, right?
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I only inspect about 5 PV systems a day on average. :happyyes:
 
kwired said:
We have to pay before we hear any specific answers from you?:)

:thumbsup:
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No just have to many examples to list but here's a couple.
250.24 A (4) The Grounding Electrode Conductor must bond either directly to the neutral or to the grounding bar only if it is connected to the neutral bar with a main bonding jumper. This is a problem at outdoor mains.
314.27 Lighting outlet boxes shall be able to support 50 lbs. Exceptions for wall boxes if marked with weight limit or the fixture is less than 6 lbs. And when they use the right box it's often mounted with sheet rock screws.
 
JFletcher said:
I don't know of any inspector that would pass that around here without the grounds tied together either with a Buchanan, wago, or a wire nut.

you're kidding about the one wire being left long part right?
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I don't think he is kidding. I think he is talking about leaving one of the EGC long to use as the pigtail to the device.
 
Little Bill said:
I don't think he is kidding. I think he is talking about leaving one of the EGC long to use as the pigtail to the device.
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I got the impression he was saying that one wire long was a code violation of some kind. what is pictured is fine just needs a Buchanan crimp or a green wire nut with the pigtail pass through the end.
 
JFletcher said:
I got the impression he was saying that one wire long was a code violation of some kind. what is pictured is fine just needs a Buchanan crimp or a green wire nut with the pigtail pass through the end.
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Agreed. But I've never seen pressure devices used in that scenario. Twist and cut, land the tail on device. Old habits are hard to break.

As I've told people, if one of your CCCs gets loose there's a good chance you will notice flickering lights, appliances and tools plugged in and not functioning properly, etc. Then you know there's a problem and can investigate.

Loose EGC won't show itself until it's too late.

Full Disclosure: I have worked for others in the past and had to use their method, the method in the picture.
 
Even with green wirenut, crimp sleeve, etc. the short lead still needs to have at least 6 inches of conductor in the box - many don't do that.
 
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