Parallel outputs of AC disconnects to load-side tap

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deadshort

Member
Location
Nor Cal
Is it okay to parallel the outputs of AC disconnects and run one feeder into a load-side tap?

2 separate sub panels with identical inverter breakers (100A total each) would be fed into their own respective 100A AC discos.

After the discos the two circuits would be combined with an insulated connector and one conductor would be tapped into a 4/0 feeder between an existing 200A main breaker and a remote load center (also protected by a 100A main).

This idea was proposed but I've never seen it done before and it just seemed weird to me and I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it.

Would different inverter output currents have any sort of negative effect? The current should just add right? Is this even viable/allowed by code? Can't find anything specific in 310.4 for source circuits.

Thanks in advance.
 

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Carultch

Senior Member
Location
Massachusetts
Is it okay to parallel the outputs of AC disconnects and run one feeder into a load-side tap?

2 separate sub panels with identical inverter breakers (100A total each) would be fed into their own respective 100A AC discos.

After the discos the two circuits would be combined with an insulated connector and one conductor would be tapped into a 4/0 feeder between an existing 200A main breaker and a remote load center (also protected by a 100A main).

This idea was proposed but I've never seen it done before and it just seemed weird to me and I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it.

Would different inverter output currents have any sort of negative effect? The current should just add right? Is this even viable/allowed by code? Can't find anything specific in 310.4 for source circuits.

Thanks in advance.


You cannot terminate tap conductors in to anything other than an overcurrent device or fused disconnect. In otherwords, you cannot make a tap from a tap, like you are suggesting.

The tap rules require that you terminate in to a single OCPD or device with a single set of fuses.
 

Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
Are there loads off the main, or is the PV system all that is connected to that main (as depicted)?

If the latter, that could/should be considered a supply side connection under 705.12(A). As long as that single blue line immediately to the left of the main is rated for 200A (4/0@75°C is rated 230A), there should be no problem. Get both AHJ and POCO blessing before doing this.

If there are loads off the main, it can't be done.
 

shortcircuit2

Senior Member
Location
South of Bawstin
The feeder conductors to the 100amp fusible disconnects would need to be rated for the 200amp overcurrent device at the service.

Then the existing 200amp service feeder must feed a sub-panel down stream. It would now need a 200-amp breaker ahead of it because it could draw 200 from the utility and what ever the output of the solar is.

No problem with the multiple inverter outputs. Current will add.

Why not just combine it all into one aggregation panel after the load side feeder connection?
 

jaggedben

Senior Member
Location
Northern California
Occupation
Solar and Energy Storage Installer
Is it okay to parallel the outputs of AC disconnects and run one feeder into a load-side tap?

2 separate sub panels with identical inverter breakers (100A total each) would be fed into their own respective 100A AC discos.

After the discos the two circuits would be combined with an insulated connector and one conductor would be tapped into a 4/0 feeder between an existing 200A main breaker and a remote load center (also protected by a 100A main).

This idea was proposed but I've never seen it done before and it just seemed weird to me and I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it.

Would different inverter output currents have any sort of negative effect? The current should just add right? Is this even viable/allowed by code? Can't find anything specific in 310.4 for source circuits.

Thanks in advance.

Why not put main breakers in the subpanels? Why do the two subpanel circuits need to be combined remotely from the tap? Why not aggregate everything in one sub as suggested by shortcircuit? If there have to be two subpanels and they have to be combined remotely, why not do it with a third sub containing an main breaker? That way you'd have a simple one circuit tap.

All those questions aside, if this is in California, then the whole concept of a load side tap is questionable under the current code. In three months when we're on the 2014 NEC equivalent then I don't see an issue. The remote load center being served by the existing feeder does need to have that main breaker installed per 705.12(D)(2)(1)(b). (Is it really a 100A, or did you make a typo?)


The feeder conductors to the 100amp fusible disconnects would need to be rated for the 200amp overcurrent device at the service.

Not sure why you'd say that. Why can't they follow the tap rules?

Are there loads off the main, or is the PV system all that is connected to that main (as depicted)?
...
If there are loads off the main, it can't be done.

The diagram and description says there's a load off the main. Whether it can be done depends on code cycle and some amount of interpretation.
 

Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
...The diagram and description says there's a load off the main. Whether it can be done depends on code cycle and some amount of interpretation.
The diagram says "TO LOADS" after service disconnect, but the bottom two show connected panels, i.e. loads, whereas the top disconnect has only the PV system shown. I see that as being being enough to call into question whether this is a supply- or load-side connection.

If it's being planned as a load-side connection, what Code are you going to use to connect 200A of PV to a 200A bus with loads?
 

shortcircuit2

Senior Member
Location
South of Bawstin
Not sure why you'd say that. Why can't they follow the tap rules?

1. The taps as depicted in the diagram don't meet any tap requirements.

2. The tap feeds 2-100amp fusible disconnects with what appears to be significant PV outputs given that it shows a 40amp & 60amp overcurrent device in each sub-panel.

Without more detailed information from the OP, we can only guess. His tap may be sized for 200amps. He doesn't specify this.
 

jaggedben

Senior Member
Location
Northern California
Occupation
Solar and Energy Storage Installer
If it's being planned as a load-side connection, what Code are you going to use to connect 200A of PV to a 200A bus with loads?

Here is what the OP said in post #1:
... tapped into a 4/0 feeder between an existing 200A main breaker and a remote load center (also protected by a 100A main).

..and that is allowed under the 2014 code.
 

zman990

Member
Location
US
Instead of tapping the gear is possible to change the the subpanel bus rating by simply retrofitting the sub panel to a MLO 400 amp bus with a 200 amp main breaker in the gear. Giving you 280A of inverter output rating you only need 200 so if one of those sub panels are close to you disconnect change it and put a backfeed breaker in sub panel.
Use same manufacturer for current subpanel to save money on breakers anything can be made make sure the conductors are good for 200 amps between gear breaker and new MLO sub panel.




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zman990

Member
Location
US
It wouldn't be 280 amps my mistake still 240amps because max backfeed in gear is 240

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Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
In 2.5 months. You asked me what code, I told you, and it's not 100% clear where the OPs project is anyway. :p
The location is not 100% clear, but I'm leaning heavily toward CA. ;)

I asked the question within the context of in-effect CA Code.
 

jaggedben

Senior Member
Location
Northern California
Occupation
Solar and Energy Storage Installer
FWIW, under the current CA code (2011 NEC equivalent), you just have to ask your AHJ about load side taps. Some may recognize that the current code doesn't adequately address the situation and let you use the 2014 code rules. Some may allow you to load the feeder to 120% per 705.12(D)(2). (That would not be applicable in the OPs case). Others will just say no.
 

deadshort

Member
Location
Nor Cal
FWIW, under the current CA code (2011 NEC equivalent), you just have to ask your AHJ about load side taps. Some may recognize that the current code doesn't adequately address the situation and let you use the 2014 code rules. Some may allow you to load the feeder to 120% per 705.12(D)(2). (That would not be applicable in the OPs case). Others will just say no.

Hi guys, sorry for the delay. Long weekend. Anyways, yes, I am in CA (Don't hold it against me:lol:).

To clarify a couple points: We are tapping into 4/0 feeders with piercing connectors.
-The loads at the other end of the 4/0 feeder are in a panel protected by a 200A main
-We have to arrange the PV this way to distribute to different meters for (billing/cost purposes?) instead of consolidating it (Don't ask me, I'm not the sales/money guy).
-My main question was concerning the combining of the AC disco outputs to the tap. As long as the conductors from the discos to the tap are rated for 200A we should be good right?

It's just a weird setup we've never tried before and is open to interpretation.
 

jaggedben

Senior Member
Location
Northern California
Occupation
Solar and Energy Storage Installer
Your AHJ could say just about anything about this, especially if you're still on the 2011 code. But I think it's a safe installation.
 

pv_n00b

Senior Member
Location
CA, USA
HiQ inverters combine in an AC junction box, with no OCPD, and then the combined output goes to a common CB in an AC combiner panel. No problem doing it, just size all the conductors correctly. But they do have the OCPD at the AC combiner where you just have a tap. But since you are tapping after the main CB it should count as the supplying OCPD.

The conductors between each switch and the common tie point are subject to the fault current back feed from the service and from the other inverter, most people don't size for this and just size it for the inverter output. For this system it would be sized for 300A.
 
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