silence7 comments on Twenty four US states are now considering legislation to allow small, plug-in solar power systems that connect directly into a wall socket.

Twenty four US states are now considering legislation to allow small, plug-in solar power systems that connect directly into a wall socket. (www.nytimes.com)

submitted 9 months ago by silence7@slrpnk.net to c/energy@slrpnk.net

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I'm a little wary of plug-in solar in the US. Some of the bills propose allowing 1200 watt panels which can overload wiring depending on what else is on the circuit and how in the wall wiring is run. Limiting plug-in panel wattage to, say, 400 watts might be necessary

[–] silence7@slrpnk.net [S] -2 points 9 months ago (4 children)

My big concern is that somebody plugs a panel in plus two high-amp appliances, like a space heater and a microwave, in a sequence that means they don't trip a breaker.

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[–] A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 26 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Microwave on a dedicated circuit above counter in kitchens and gfci protected per code

You're not putting a space heater on your kitchen counter

And once again youre supplying up to 1200w, not drawing 1200w. Any power supply system will just be matching the load being drawn

I really dont think this is the degree of a problem you think it is

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[–] LaLuzDelSol@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

No there is a real concern there. Suppose you have a daisy chain that goes breaker - PV panel - load. Say you have 20A draw on the load - enough to trip a 15A breaker, but the PV is providing 10A. In that case you only have 10A at the breaker, but your wires will be significantly over-current.

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[–] cynar@lemmy.world 1 point 9 months ago (1 child)

I think the issue is that, if you have a circuit designed and protected for X, then put Y solar in, you can get a situation where X+Y is flowing down some of the wires. It's more than they are rated for, but the breaker doesn't see it.

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[+] A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 0 points 9 months ago (1 child)

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[–] cynar@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

What matters is the differential. A breaker limits the input. E.g. to 16A. A plug in solar provides an independent input. E.g. 10A. Under certain circumstances, multiple loads, up to 26A total could exist on the spur, without the breaker being triggered. This could put up to 26A down some of the wiring of the spur.