electrical photos

PV Production meters and AC disconnects need to be grouped with the meter within 10’ and line of sight.
The PV combiner box can be mounted behind the fence on the left.

This photo is a perfect reference the designer can use to determine if the equipment will fit.

DO THIS

What makes this a good photo?

The image gives a clear image of the available wall space and space between the meter and the MSP.

DON'T DO THIS

Make sure to get more step back photos than this.

This photo does not show the full area around the meter, only the obstruction to the right.

The designer needs to see the area on either side of the meter to determine equipment placement.

GROUNDING - GROUND RODS

At the meter, follow the grounding wire to any grounding rods that are inserted into the ground.

When taking your normal step-back meter photos make sure to include the whole wall and some of the ground area.

Get a photo of all ground rods. Sometimes Ground rods will be flush with the ground so they may not be seen at first but follow the grounding wire in the first diagram

Some of these grounding networks are very short (only 1 ground rod). The wire will not continue or it will appear to be cut

Keep in mind just because there only appears to be one ground rod does not mean there arent multiple groundings.

Any ground rod should not be less than 6 feet away from the Meter/Main Service Panel or the last ground rod. Follow the wire if it continues, and continue to take photos of any additional ground rods. Most ground rods will also be 8 feet deep

Site Surveyors: It is REQUIRED to take a photo showing the area 6 feet out from the meter/main for all jobs and all identified ground rods. This is required regardless whether there are any ground rods present or not. Need to prove there are no ground rods if not present.

GROUNDING - UFERS

Ufers are rebar extensions coming out of a concrete foundation that connects to a grounding wire. Ufers are usually found near the meter or main in concrete. They act as a ground rod. Sometimes they will be in a wall behind a little box that covers the access hole.

Below are some examples.

Site Surveyors: It is required to identify if there are ufers if no ground rods present or confirmed. So will need to go opposite side of the wall from main service panel location to identify the box or area. It is REQUIRED to take a photo of this area to prove there is or is not a ufer grounding electrode present.

GROUNDING - COLD WATER BONDS

*only required for homes with metal water pipes (usually older than 1990).

Survey, Design, and / or Engineering need to adequately identify any water pipe bonding if present.

Most water bonds will be found where water pipes enter the home. In addition to the main water bond ground look for bonding jumpers found on the water meter and/or water heater.

Keep in mind PVC pipe or any other non-metal piping will not have bonding in those areas in the home.

Water Stock Stop With Grounding Bond

Water Meter Jumper - From Left to Right

Water Stock Stop With Grounding Bond - Left

Water Heater Jumper

Site Surveyor: Take photos of all water pipe that have entered the home. Usually in the basement or utility room in the home. Look for water bonds if present. Take photos of entire piping area to show design and installation that there is or is not a water bond present.

2 | MSP

LABELING

When surveying the MSP, get a photo of the bus diagram if it has one.

Also get the model number, and the bus rating. Usually these pieces of data are grouped together.

INTERIOR LABEL

Sometimes the labeling on the door of the panel is not for that load center.
This is because often, manufacturers will manufacture generic dead fronts and doors to fit a variety of models.

Make sure to get a photo of the interior sticker if the panel has one.

MAIN BREAKER

Always get a clear photo showing the rating of the main disconnect.

DEADFRONT ON/OFF

Get a photo with the dead front on and the deadfront off as well.

LOAD CENTER BUSING

Pan from top to bottom on each side.

If you notice a code violation pr damage yourself, please get a close up.

LOAD CENTER STABS

When possible, get photos showing what the stabs look like:

This can indicate the overall condition of the load center
This can also tell the designer if they can tandem breakers to make more space for a PV breaker.

This example has a lot of open spaces, but many times there might only be one exposed stab toward the bottom. Please still try to get a photo of this if you can.

FEEDER WIRES

Lastly, when taking electrical photos, make sure to show where any feeder wires are coming from/going to:

From the meter to MSP
From MSP to any Sub Panel

DO THIS

When you notice your photos coming out blurry, use the flash function of your camera.

Flash increases the overall exposure making it so that the camera shutter only needs to be open for a very small fraction of a second.
In low light situations without a flash, your camera is forced to keep the shutter open longer to extend the exposure time to achieve the same exposure as the flash.
- This is what leads to the blurry photos as it is merging all your small and involuntary movements into one image.