Ensuring Safety in Solar Installations Photovoltaic panels may help us generate environmentally friendly power
from the sun, but the electricity they produce can pack a dangerously
powerful punch to any electrical contractors working on connected
equipment. In many designs, rooftop panels are connected in series, with
a single line carrying 600V DC. Ensuring protection means installing a
disconnect switch capable of handling such a high voltage securely.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has two important test standards related
to PV installation, related to two separate pieces of critical
equipment.
New Functionality Powering Panelboard Design While circuit protection remains the most important function of both
lighting and power panels, manufacturers of both products are looking at
new ways to differentiate their offerings. By matching traditional
protection advantages with new communications and control capabilities,
these companies are developing new suites of offerings that could make a
big difference in how owners manage their buildings’ energy use.
Using Sunlight To Light Up the Night Installing exterior security lighting can be an expensive proposition
because of the need to bring underground power to remote, pole-mounted
fixtures. Additionally, facility owners can face expensive maintenance
bills, should buried power lines fail – as well as the need to provide
backup power, should those lights be critical to facility operations.
Advances in two technologies – photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and LED
lighting – now are helping to reduce such costs and bring new lighting
options to otherwise inaccessible locations.
