2014 NEC Definition of PV System

[shortcircuit2]

My book came in the mail yesterday!

Here is the Article 100 added definition...

Photovoltaic (PV) System. The total components and sub-system that, in combination, convert solar energy into electrical energy suitable for connection to a utilization load.

 

[GoldDigger]

My book came in the mail yesterday!

Here is the Article 100 added definition...

Photovoltaic (PV) System. The total components and sub-system that, in combination, convert solar energy into electrical energy suitable for connection to a utilization load.

Which includes standalone AC output systems as well as purely DC systems and grid-interactive systems.

 

[ggunn]

My book came in the mail yesterday!

Here is the Article 100 added definition...

Photovoltaic (PV) System. The total components and sub-system that, in combination, convert solar energy into electrical energy suitable for connection to a utilization load.

It's still ambiguous as to what is or is not part of the PV system. It could be interpreted that the system stops at the inverter outputs and none of the AC components between the inverter and the interconnect are part of it. A PV system designer such as myself might not agree with that interpretation.

 

[GoldDigger]

It's still ambiguous as to what is or is not part of the PV system. It could be interpreted that the system stops at the inverter outputs and none of the AC components between the inverter and the interconnect are part of it. A PV system designer such as myself might not agree with that interpretation.

I see your point. The inverter output is suitable for connection to a utilization load, whether any utilization load is actually connected at that point or not.
Possibly though the language could mean all the way up to the AC disconnect, since under some circumstances you should not connect a utilization load downstream of that point.

 

[ggunn]

I see your point. The inverter output is suitable for connection to a utilization load, whether any utilization load is actually connected at that point or not.
Possibly though the language could mean all the way up to the AC disconnect, since under some circumstances you should not connect a utilization load downstream of that point.

Or another take: When the power exits the inverter, conversion is complete.

 

[Smart $]

Or another take: When the power exits the inverter, conversion is complete.

Isn't an AC disconnect required within sight of any inverter? Do you know of any section which permits loads between the inverter and this required AC disconnect.

Does the 2014 Code still have the Figures of 690.1 without modification? If so, note the inverter output circuit is included, while note 2 says disconnects are not shown. As such, the inverter output circuit conductors are definitely part of the PV system... the debate whether the AC disconnect is part of the PV system continues...

 

[jaggedben]

Isn't an AC disconnect required within sight of any inverter? Do you know of any section which permits loads between the inverter and this required AC disconnect.

Does the 2014 Code still have the Figures of 690.1 without modification? If so, note the inverter output circuit is included, while note 2 says disconnects are not shown. As such, the inverter output circuit conductors are definitely part of the PV system... the debate whether the AC disconnect is part of the PV system continues...

In the 2011 code, 690.15 requires grouped discos for 'all sources' that energize equipment, so that includes an AC disco for a utility interactive inverter (within sight, I suppose, although I'm not sure that 'grouped' strictly requires that). However, that section doesn't require the same disco for a stand-alone system because in that case the inverter is not energized by anything on the AC side.

From the language SolarPro posted in the other thread, the 2014 code doesn't look different in this regard, but I haven't yet read all of the new 690.