PowerShare: is disconnect switch needed?

[bowenzhang]

I am getting two quotes for installing PowerShare.
One installer mentioned the need (and cost of $2000) to install disconnect switch from outside at the meter), citing it is required by code and allows first responders to disconnect the system.
The other installer said it is built-in in PowerShare and no need of a separate one.

Anyone has idea?

 

[loki]

I believe it’s optional (the official Tesla backup switch). It gets installed inline behind the meter and satisfies the grid disconnect requirement. It took awhile for PGE to approve this. If you don’t get it then you’ll need a subpanel. This is my current understanding from my installer.

 

[Cyber Pete]

I am getting two quotes for installing PowerShare.
One installer mentioned the need (and cost of $2000) to install disconnect switch from outside at the meter), citing it is required by code and allows first responders to disconnect the system.
The other installer said it is built-in in PowerShare and no need of a separate one.

Anyone has idea?

My utility, Minnesota Power, requires it and also charges a $150.00 fee.

 

[EMoeller]

I'm in the California Bay Area and the County required a fire dept inspection, and they required a "red button" kill switch mounted near the meter with signage.

Reason is that should there be a fire while the CT is providing power (or even if it is getting power company electricity) the fire departments (and first responders) don't want to waste time trying to figure out wiring/charging - they simply want power off before they address the fire.

Digging in the weeds the NEMA code requires this for "fixed battery installations" such as PowerWall. Powershare is so new that no one really thought there might be portable batteries. So while you could argue code does not require it now, at least where I am the Fire Dept inspection requires it.

I feel it is better safe than sorry and am having mine installed tomorrow. Since I had a Qmerit quote any additional cost for this is going to be included with the original installation quote as my quote included work through all inspections.

I had two days of power outage last weekend - it was the first real test of my Powershare and it worked flawlessly (except that I did need to manually turn off the hot tub).

 

[eswimm]

The Gateway 3V does not ship with, but the installer does provide a 200A main breaker to be installed inside the gateway, along with the 60A breaker for the UWC connection. Both of those disconnects are within the gateway however and it may be installed on the exterior or interior.

If your local code requires an external disconnect, then you'll need to pass the inspection before they'll turn the power back on. The only other option I can think of to bypass that requirement would be to install the gateway as a sub to your main panel and relocate the loads to be backed up, bypassing the need to deal with your utility. Based on the quotes people have shared however the light load and heavy load backup installs have unusually high prices. It would probably make more sense to find a Tesla certified installer and bypass Qmerit entirely.