In his PV book (Figure 230-2), it is stated that the six handle rule does not apply to the PV disconnect because it is not a service disconnect.
While I agree, it's not for the same reason. I think if it is disconnecting service entrance conductors, it's still a service disconnect, and is not one of the exceptions listed in 230.71.
The reasoning behind the six handle exception is, as I see it:
230.71 Maximum Number of Disconnects.
(A) General. The service disconnecting means for each service
permitted by 230.2, or for each set of service-entrance
conductors permitted by 230.40, Exception No. 1, 3, 4, or 5,
shall consist of not more than six switches or sets of circuit
breakers, or a combination of not more than six switches and
sets of circuit breakers, mounted in a single enclosure, in a
group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard. There
shall be not more than six sets of disconnects per service
grouped in any one location.
For the purpose of this section, disconnecting means
installed as part of listed equipment and used solely for the
following shall not be considered a service disconnecting
means:
(1) Power monitoring equipment
(2) Surge-protective device(s)
(3) Control circuit of the ground-fault protection system
(4) Power-operable service disconnecting means
230.40 Number of Service-Entrance Conductor Sets.
Each service drop, set of overhead service conductors, set
of underground service conductors, or service lateral shall
supply only one set of service-entrance conductors.
Exception No. 5: One set of service-entrance conductors
connected to the supply side of the normal service disconnecting
means shall be permitted to supply each or several
systems covered by 230.82(5) or 230.82(6).
230.82 Equipment Connected to the Supply Side of Service
Disconnect. Only the following equipment shall be
permitted to be connected to the supply side of the service
disconnecting means:
(6) Solar photovoltaic systems, fuel cell systems, or interconnected
electric power production sources.
The above would allow for six PV service disconnects. The real question is would all disconnects be required to be co-located?
Or would the PV disconnect(s) need to be near one another, but not necessarily near the buildings main(s)?
I'd like to see them all in the same place. Whatsayou?
While I agree, it's not for the same reason. I think if it is disconnecting service entrance conductors, it's still a service disconnect, and is not one of the exceptions listed in 230.71.
The reasoning behind the six handle exception is, as I see it:
230.71 Maximum Number of Disconnects.
(A) General. The service disconnecting means for each service
permitted by 230.2, or for each set of service-entrance
conductors permitted by 230.40, Exception No. 1, 3, 4, or 5,
shall consist of not more than six switches or sets of circuit
breakers, or a combination of not more than six switches and
sets of circuit breakers, mounted in a single enclosure, in a
group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard. There
shall be not more than six sets of disconnects per service
grouped in any one location.
For the purpose of this section, disconnecting means
installed as part of listed equipment and used solely for the
following shall not be considered a service disconnecting
means:
(1) Power monitoring equipment
(2) Surge-protective device(s)
(3) Control circuit of the ground-fault protection system
(4) Power-operable service disconnecting means
230.40 Number of Service-Entrance Conductor Sets.
Each service drop, set of overhead service conductors, set
of underground service conductors, or service lateral shall
supply only one set of service-entrance conductors.
Exception No. 5: One set of service-entrance conductors
connected to the supply side of the normal service disconnecting
means shall be permitted to supply each or several
systems covered by 230.82(5) or 230.82(6).
230.82 Equipment Connected to the Supply Side of Service
Disconnect. Only the following equipment shall be
permitted to be connected to the supply side of the service
disconnecting means:
(6) Solar photovoltaic systems, fuel cell systems, or interconnected
electric power production sources.
The above would allow for six PV service disconnects. The real question is would all disconnects be required to be co-located?
Or would the PV disconnect(s) need to be near one another, but not necessarily near the buildings main(s)?
I'd like to see them all in the same place. Whatsayou?