Search waterheatertimer.org /
all results
Search using 
|
Search waterheatertimer.org /
all results
Search using
|
Solar panel safety |
 250W Renogy mono-crystalline panel |
Buy
Bundles; 4 panels 250 watt at Amazon $1275 6 panels 250 watt at Amazon 10 panels 250 watt at Amazon 20 panels 250 watt at Amazon Solar panel connectors Buy solar panels at Amazon Resource: How to set up solar array Solar resources |
 |
String
is several panels wired in series, with + connect to - on each panel. Each panel has + wire and - wire Connect the + on first panel to - on next panel in series - string. Array is several strings wired together into parallel strings Caution: Do not connect solar panels with panel facing sun, or there will be electric power on the wires. Resource: How to set up solar array Solar resources |
| The installation of PV systems on roofs creates electrical, fire, structural, and weather-related hazards that are not adequately addressed by current codes, standards and guidance documents.... including performance under structural loading, wind loads, hail, snow, debris accumulation, seismic loads, and fire hazards including flammability of components, ignition hazards and electrical hazards associated with fire fighter operations. | |
 |
Safety
first.... 120 volts AC is the most common voltage, and most common killer, 12 volts DC car batteries are generally not harmful... but can deliver a jolt of amps ... and high amperage on the line is dangerous, just like high voltage. Solar panels produce DC electricity that can be both high voltage and high amperage. Do NOT underestimate electrical danger from solar panels. Two Renogy 250 watt panels wired in parallel will produce 30.1 volts x 16.4 amp and 493 watt. Three Renogy 250 watt panels wired in parallel will produce 30.1 volts x 25 amp and 751 watt. Two Renogy 250 watt panels wired in series will produce 60.2 volts x 8.2 amp and 493 watt. Three Renogy 250 watt panels wired in series will produce 90.3 volts x 8.2 amp and 740 watt. Electrical burns can disfigure and permanently disable. They affect outside of body just like ordinary fire, plus damage interior parts of body including blowing out heart, nerve circuits, tearing away muscle structure etc. This description of damage is not meant to be graphic more than to illustrate risk of working with electrical power, both AC and DC, especially outside while standing on ground. Rule #1: All electricity is attracted to ground, and if you're standing on ground or touching anything that is grounded, you are giving electricity a direct route to ground. Search Internet for 'first aid for electrical burns.' For example a regular burn you apply water to relieve symptoms. But with electrical burns you do not apply water to the burn. Buy: Electric safety book First aid books First aid kits Resource Troubleshoot household electricity Compare AC and DC What is electricity |
 |
Do
wiring at night: Ground, dirt or soil is the attractor of all electric current. Dry rocks are less conductive, and salty damp soil is more conductive, but anything sitting on earth's surface can conduct electricity is the voltage exceeds the resistance of the material. For example, rubber is considered non-conductive... but apply enough voltage and it will conduct electrons to ground. When you stand on ground you are basically standing on one end of a battery. So when you work with solar panels, or any AC or DC electricity while outdoors, then you are standing on one end of a battery while working on the other end of the battery. Solar panels have live power when the sun shines on them. In a sense you can say solar panels are like a live overhead power line that is constantly energized. So hopefully you are wiring at night time and after panels are installed you want to install a safety cut off switch, breaker or combiner box on the solar panel installation. Buy: Combiner boxes at Amazon |
  Different image |
Use
safety switch: After connecting the solar panels together in the nighttime, you want to run the wires into a safety switch or disconnect or combiner box which can turn off the power from solar panels. This is usually code for any solar installation for public safety purposes. And it lets you finish wiring rest of installation during daytime hours. Caution: Safety switch must be rated for DC power. Most safety switches have an AC rating but are only rated for 48 V DC. Check the specifications. AC and DC are different. Solar panels produce DC power, and the problem of arc extinction becomes a concern with any kind of switching when voltages exceed 48 VDC. Read about arc extinction Some more expensive shut offs have both an AC and the DC rating and usually the DC is rated for half the value of the AC so if the AC wiring is 240 V then DC rating would be for 120 V. In my research I found it difficult to find off-the-shelf products that were rated for DC. DC rating is vitally important for any switching: including contactors, relays, thermostat, breaker, fuse, shut-off, etc. Always check manufacturer's specification. Wires should be rated 600 volt, which is standard, off-the-shelf electrical wirging from the hardware store. Check printing on side of wire. This means you can buy wire locally at any hardware. Be cautioned that 600 volts will be printed on side of wire, so if you buy 14 gauge lamp cord or 12 gauge extension cord, then these items are NOT rated 600 volt and should never be used for permanent wiring installations. Resistive loads like elements are not switchgear and need only the volt rating. Resistive loads like elements are not affected by arc extinction, or by difference between AC and DC electricity. For example you can connect 200 volt DC directly to element rated for same voltage.... but you cannot use ordinary water heater thermostat because it will melt, stick closed, or catch fire, and generally not function with DC voltages over 24-48 volt. Buy: 3-pole / outdoor/ 30 amp DC/ fuseable Combiner boxes at Amazon Resource How to wire safety switches DC safety switch How to wire DC water heater/ high voltage How to wire DC water heater/ low voltgae Color code for wire Figure volts amps watts |
 |
Use
DC circuit breaker AC and DC are different because of arc extinction. Solar panels produce DC electricity, and require switchgear rated for DC. You can use circuit breaker instead of safety switch shown above. Buy from my affiliate links: DC circuit breakers High voltage DC circuit breakers at Amazon Combiner boxes at Amazon Resource: Read about arc extinction How to set up solar array |
 Above is example of lineman gloves, and example of bad photoshopping by me.   |
Insulate
yourself from power It is important to always put a dry surface such as 2x4, plywood or rubber on the surface where you are working. Do not ever stand on soil or damp surface or lean against anything made of metal. Remove all metal from pockets. Do not hold metal tools in mouth. Wear rubber sneakers. Do not work in the rain, on a damp surface, or when dew is on the ground. Some resources say to avoid grounding mats as unreliable, but more research is recommended. Power company linemen use shielding materials and grounding mats for some applications. With higher voltage, it is debatable, but generally thought best NOT to ground yourself lest you attract the current you want to avoid. I would not use a static line or ground connected directly to myself. Keep in mind that power company linemen are not directly grounded, but use insulated equipment and wear insulated gloves, suits, etc. Insulated gloves are rated by voltage and do not protect other surfaces of body. Defects and damage to gloves will certainly increase risk. Use insulated tools and inspect surface for breaks and damage. I recommend searching internet for electrical safety tips for working outdoors such as using insulated gloves, rubber boots, and perhaps devising your own instruments using fiberglass hot sticks similar to power company tools. Always make sure the solar array is grounded on the negative side. Additionally I recommend attaching testing instruments to wooden sticks and using the wooden stick to hold the probe against anything you are testing. That puts an insulator between your hands and the terminal point being tested. Buy: Insulated electrical gloves Insulated tools Wire strippers at Amazon Linesman pliers Resource: Arc protection clothing |
 |
Lightning Working with metal that is installed on roof carries risk. Move indoors when storms are within 5 miles. Move indoors and do not stay on roof, or move metal ladders, or touch anything made of metal when lightning is within 5 miles or can be heard or seen. Copper pipes and metal on roof attract lightning Use lightning rod system in areas where lightning is common. Risk of lightning is higher when home is near pond, high elevation, or sitting alone. Higher structures or multiple structures nearby, will reduce lightning risk. Lightning within 100 feet can damage any home not protected by lightning rods. |
 |
All solar system must be
grounded.
Check local electric codes. What does this mean? Drive ground rod 8-10 feet into soil. Bond #6-8 bare copper wire to ground rod and to solar panels and pipes on roof. Do NOT ground electric system to water pipes. Ground must be connected to ground rod. Stray current corrosion can cause pipes to deteriorate. Uncertain bond to ground because of plastic pipes. Buy: Ground rod and clamps at Amazon Bonding lugs |
 |
Ladders Do you have to buy ladders? Take apart extension ladder, and you have 2 ladders We use two aluminum ladders chained together to climb down sides of roof. Best way to get on roof is along the pitched side. Set ladder at angle, as illustrated with wooden ladder, so both ladder feet are flat on ground, then set ladder at angle until both rails are flat against roofline. This is counter-intuitive to set ladders this way, but very effective and safe. We also used ropes to secure ladder from falling over, we also made one ladder leg longer on aluminum and wood ladders by adding stout 2x4 or 1x4 yellow pine. When setting ladder against gutter... use wire to tie ladder to gutter nail. Set bag of dirt behind ladder feet. When setting ladder on grass or dirt, turn the feet so they stab into soil. Dig small holes for feet. Choose grass-dirt over concrete surface when setting ladder. Never set extension ladder on wet concrete, or concrete that slopes away from ladder. Sweep surface clean. Never set extension ladder on tile surface without full bracing behind feet. Higher person climbs, less stable ladder. Always make sure 4 points of ladder touch... 2 feet firmly at bottom and 2 rails firmly at top |
 |
How
to check extension Ladders Extension ladder has several parts: 1) Rung locks, 2) anti-slip safety feet, 3) Slide rails, 4) Base rails, 5) Rungs etc Do not use ladder that is bent. Check the bolt that connects rung lock to ladder. Look for cracks in aluminum rail... add fender washer to strengthen Check if bolt is bent excessively. Must use hardened bolt. Always check that rung lock is over both rungs. ALWAYS make sure both rung locks are in place. Treat your ladder like it was airplane... you are the pilot... inspect plane BEFORE flying Buy: Ladder replacement feet with hardened bolts Aluminum ladder leveler for uneven ground Safety step ladder Ladder parts and stabilizers at Amazon |
| Insurance-Liability Call insurance company and ask if homeowner insurance covers external solar panels. Do you need special insurance? Are the installers insured? Who will repair and maintain system, how much will it cost, and are you covered from liability? If you are climbing on roof once each year to clean solar panels, what is cost of one broken leg? |
|
 |
Weatherproof
wire connector You can apply ample amount of silicone to the connection and then apply the wire nut for a more waterproof connection. Buy from my affiliate links Weatherproof size 14 to 6 Amazon Weatherproof size 22 to 8 Amazon Resource How to select and install twist-on wire connectors |
 |
Buy Electronic parts Industrial supplies Tools and home improvement Home and garden Hayward pool Pentair pool Southwire electric |
 |
Buy
Tools DEWALT Black and Decker Stanley SKIL Makita Porter-Cable Bosch Irwin Hand tools Klein hand tools Fluke electrical testing Dremel hobby tools Campbell Hausfeld air powered Tekton automotive Powerbuilt automotive Saws and saw blades |
 |
Resource: Compare box timers DPDT timers Intermatic Control water heater w/ Z-wave |
 |
Resource: Intermatic control centers: and parts Digital control centers and parts Tork control centers and parts Subpanels All control centers and parts Enclosures |
 |
Resource: Programmable timers Countdown timers Off delay timers On delay timers Timer modules Din rail Twin & one-shot Woods Intermatic Tork |
 |
Recirculation systems |
 |
Enter Amazon from
my links Amazon E-mail: geno03245w@gmail.com My response might end up in spam folder, check email folders Waterheatertimer on Twitter |
