Photovoltaic (Solar Panel) Electrical Systems (AUC 351) Flashcards
Greatest Hazard of these Systems..?
DC- direct current shock
Which system has fewer safety features..?
RESIDENTIAL
Which arrays may be difficult or impossible to detect during nighttime hours?
INTEGRATED
FLUSH MOUNTED ARRAYS
Firefighters must avoid____ on modules, since this can expose them to electric shock?
WALKING
When do we cut wires associated with a PV?
NEVER
Shutting off power at the main electrical panel….?
does NOT ensure that all power to the building has been removed
Where are PV disconnect (isolation) switches located?
roof next to main electrical panel adjacent to the inverter nearby the charge controller battery bank area outside the building
OPENING PV DISCONNECT SWITCHES…?
DOES NOT ENSURE POWER IS OFF
Rooftop disconnects…?
should not be relied upon
Shut off electrical power to….?
INVERTER (inverters do have capacitors that store energy, however this energy will discharge soon after power to inverter is disconnected)
Firefighters discovering PV arrays at fires and emergencies, shall immediately..?
NOTIFY COMPANY OFFICER AND IC
For top floor/cockloft fires in non-fireproof buildings where fire is beneath the PV array..?
roof venting options, including power saws, may NOT BE POSSIBLE
cutting roof must be limited to areas, that are CLEAR OF PV ARRAYS AND OTHER COMPONENTS
-Ladder Ops INSIDE the building should be directed toward opening ceilings to define boundaries of fire
For top floor/cockloft fires in non-fireproof buildings where fire is beneath the PV array..?
roof venting options, including power saws, may NOT BE POSSIBLE
cutting roof must be limited to areas, that are CLEAR OF PV ARRAYS AND OTHER COMPONENTS
The decision to use Water on energized PV system, can only be made by…?
IC
HOW SHOULD WATER BE APPLIED?
FOG NOZLE, UTILIZED FROM A DISTANCE AND SET AT 30 DEGREE SPRAY PATTERN
Straight streams or Foam…?
should NOT BE USED
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS COULD ADD..?
THOUSANDS OF POUNDS TO ROOF SURFACE
Removal of modules by FF’s is…?
NOT AN OPTION
utility company and licensed solar power installer/electrician should be contacted
Incipient Fires can be extinguished using?
CLASS C (dry chemical) portable extinguishers
Batteris involved in a fire, generate?
explosive, flammable, toxic and corrosive gases
full PPE
dry chem or foam may be effective on battery fires
Combiner boxe_____be open by FF’s, in attempt to shutdown the PV array?
SHOULD NOT BE OPENED BY FF’S
Wires running from the array to the power distribution system, should ALWAYS be considered ?
LIVE, unless there is a disconnect on the PV array itself
On buildings with sloped roofs/PV arrays will generally be installed on …?
SOUTH AND WEST FACING SIDES
When FF’s are working in close proximity to a PV system…?
SAFETY OFFICER should be assigned to the roof
Company Officers on BISP, or other outside activities, finding a HAZARDOUS condition relative to a PV system, that is IMMINENTLY PERILOUS TO MEMBERS OR OCCUPANTS DUE TO SIZE, LOCATION, ARRANGEMENT, DEFECTS, OR LACK OF MAINTENANCE, should?
request the response of the ADMINISTRATIVE BC
Buildings with PV systems should be…?
entered into CIDS
CIDS entries should include?
PV array on roof limited roof ops pv disconnects located at batter storage system located backup generator located installer contact number
All electrical PV array systems should be treated as…?
ENERGIZED
they do not turn off by flip of a switch
Integrated design…
serves as structural element (roof, wall, canopy or skylight) and REDUCES concentrations of added weight
Flush Mounted…
used with SMALL solar arrays and PEAKED roofs
Stand mount systems must be installed to..?
also known as UNIVERSAL mounting
withstand loads…used with LARGER solar panel systems
Stand mount systems must be installed to..?
also known as UNIVERSAL mounting
withstand loads…used with LARGER solar panel systems
The IC should delay overhaul…?
until CONFIRMATION that PV system has been shutdown
The IC should delay overhaul…?
until CONFIRMATION that PV system has been shutdown
Cells…
photovoltaic cell is the device that converts the sun’s light energy into electricity by means of the photovoltaic effect
Module…
a module (solar panel) is an interconnected assembly of photovoltaic cells…cells are arranged in a grid like pattern on the surface of the module
Array…
modules in a PV array are normally first connected in SERIES to obtain correct voltage for the system (residential 600 volts are common)…individual leads are then connected in PARALLEL to allow system to add more amperage
Array…
modules in a PV array are normally first connected in SERIES to obtain correct voltage for the system (residential 600 volts are common)…individual leads are then connected in PARALLEL to allow system to add more amperage
PV arrays CAN PRODUCE ELECTRICITY on CLOUDY DAYS, not as much as on sunny days…but …
DO NOT produce electricity at night
PRIME FOCUS of LADDER OPS…
opening/removal of skylights and scuttles, as well as horizontal ventilation
PRIME FOCUS of LADDER OPS…
opening/removal of skylights and scuttles, as well as horizontal ventilation
FF’s discovering PV arrays at fires and EMERGENCIES should IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY…
their Company Officer and IC for relay to all members
also, Inform IC if PV system is involved in FIRE and if it will negatively IMPACT VERTICAL VENT. OPERATIONS
