Easy check, grab a voltmeter and do it yourself.
Pull the plug, set voltmeter to AC, and read the voltage across the prongs. If you get anything over the usual float voltage you get from just holding the probes ungrounded, then you have a problem.
The PRODUCT is designed to stop feeding OUT the plug if it doesn’t detect CURRENT from the socket. AC is alternating current so it pulses on and off so the solar system is doing the same. It’s turning on and off quickly and seeing if it gets power back and if it detects no power incoming it shuts off the power from the solar. It’s quite simple and ingenious.
ok I have to believe the guy replying is a shil at this point. Use of approved products is as old as the electric stystem. Its why the electric company does not have to come and inspect everything you have plugged into the grid and does not come out every time you get a new appliance. The standards are with the product as you correctly point out and the state does not allow on compliant products to be sold just like with refrigerators.
I have to believe the guy replying is a shil at this point
A shill for what, exactly? Linemen safety? The horror.
Its why the electric company…does not come out every time you get a new appliance.
That’s because your appliances aren’t backfeeding to the grid. Anything that does requires inspections and permits, to make sure they don’t kill people , or delay getting the power back on, which can kill people.
but the edge case you give has nothing to do with feeding back to the grid given it was already pointed out they auto shut off which regulated by whats allowed to be sold because anyone could put a non legal thing that feeds energy into the grid even if they jury rigged it themself.
yup and if you install it wrong it’s you in trouble but you still can buy them and diy without a permit. They should just be regulated so only the certified ones can be sold.
“The utility” has never had a way to prevent you from doing something dangerous with your wiring or with the electricity they send you. The best we’ve managed has been to encourage appliance manufacturers to design their products with safety in mind, through the UL program (which is voluntary). This is why the writer talked to the “vice president of engineering at UL Solutions.”
Easy check, grab a voltmeter and do it yourself.
Pull the plug, set voltmeter to AC, and read the voltage across the prongs. If you get anything over the usual float voltage you get from just holding the probes ungrounded, then you have a problem.
By “you” I did not mean your personal solar system. I mean how does the utility know that other users that have systems connected are doing so safely?
The PRODUCT is designed to stop feeding OUT the plug if it doesn’t detect CURRENT from the socket. AC is alternating current so it pulses on and off so the solar system is doing the same. It’s turning on and off quickly and seeing if it gets power back and if it detects no power incoming it shuts off the power from the solar. It’s quite simple and ingenious.
ok I have to believe the guy replying is a shil at this point. Use of approved products is as old as the electric stystem. Its why the electric company does not have to come and inspect everything you have plugged into the grid and does not come out every time you get a new appliance. The standards are with the product as you correctly point out and the state does not allow on compliant products to be sold just like with refrigerators.
A shill for what, exactly? Linemen safety? The horror.
That’s because your appliances aren’t backfeeding to the grid. Anything that does requires inspections and permits, to make sure they don’t kill people , or delay getting the power back on, which can kill people.
but the edge case you give has nothing to do with feeding back to the grid given it was already pointed out they auto shut off which regulated by whats allowed to be sold because anyone could put a non legal thing that feeds energy into the grid even if they jury rigged it themself.
And I already pointed out that that’s not a given.
And I already pointed out that that’s not correct. In fact most equipment that’s sold does not do that.
Yes, people can do all kinds of things that are illegal. That doesn’t mean we stop trying to prevent it.
I am not asking how the technology works. I am asking how the utility verifies that people are using compliant products.
The same way they do now.
You realize generators exist right?
Permanently connected generators typically require permits.
yup and if you install it wrong it’s you in trouble but you still can buy them and diy without a permit. They should just be regulated so only the certified ones can be sold.
No, it’s the linemen who are in trouble.
So you want to ban the sale of raw solar panels and inverters?
No, because we’re talking about all in one systems that plug into the outlet, why are you bringing up raw components?
I can go to the store today and get a generator and plug it right into my house and backfeed.
I know this is idiodic so I don’t do it.
It’s not just idiotic, it’s illegal, and you’ll face repercussions.
“The utility” has never had a way to prevent you from doing something dangerous with your wiring or with the electricity they send you. The best we’ve managed has been to encourage appliance manufacturers to design their products with safety in mind, through the UL program (which is voluntary). This is why the writer talked to the “vice president of engineering at UL Solutions.”
Yes they have. It’s called permitting.
And what’s stopping you from doing it anyway?
If you’re gonna break the law, you’re gonna break the law and we can just ignore any discussion of legality. But that’s not what we’re doing.