6-handle rule with new photovoltaic system?
- Thread starter donw
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Generally not. A little more data is needed describing the service equipment for the interfacing PV system. (i.e. if the service is an MLO that is convertible Main Handle)
kwired
Electron manager
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- NE Nebraska
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- EC
The six disconnect rule in 230.71 is for service equipment.
PV is not a service.
There is also six disconnect rule in 225.30 for more than one building or structure where additional buildings are supplied by feeders. Only one supply is allowed to the separate building but can have 1 to 6 disconnects at the building.
Additional feeders or branch circuits are permitted to supply items listed in 225.30(A) PV could fit one or more of those items.
PV is not a service.
There is also six disconnect rule in 225.30 for more than one building or structure where additional buildings are supplied by feeders. Only one supply is allowed to the separate building but can have 1 to 6 disconnects at the building.
Additional feeders or branch circuits are permitted to supply items listed in 225.30(A) PV could fit one or more of those items.
bluesmoke...oops
Senior Member
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- Tri-Cities, Washington
230.2(A):
With 230.2(A)(5) stating: Parallel power production system.
I would contend that a PV system falls under that definition (as would a wind tower) and would fall under 230.71.
Your panelboard currently complies with 408.36. Per 230.71 (A) (1) thru (4) you are allowed and additional disconnecting means within the panelboard, however a PV disconnect is not one of the four allowed.
The way I see it, if you install another disconnecting means for the PV system you are in violation. of 230.71.
kwired
Electron manager
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- NE Nebraska
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- EC
Art 100 Definitions:
I don't see how PV or a wind tower is a service unless owned by a utility company.
jaggedben
Senior Member
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- Northern California
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- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
Whether PV is a service or not depends on how it is connected. PV can be connected to its own service (230.2), it's own set of service entrance conductors (230.40), or on the load side of service disconnecting means. (Note that 230.71 applies to services or sets of service entrance conductors. A service is not necessarily limited to six handles.)
I concur.
To comply with 230.71 the PV would need to be connected to a new service, or to a new set of service entrance conductors that is tapped off the existing ones and brought to a different location. (Or some aspect of the existing installation would need to be reconfigured.) At least that's the way I read 230.71.
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kwired
Electron manager
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- NE Nebraska
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- EC
I still don't see how PV can be service according to art 100 definition of service.
I am no expert on PV equipment but any supply conductors from PV equipment, or any on site power source do not meet that definition.
jwelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- North Carolina
Would 690.14 (C) apply?
(4) Maximum Number of Disconnects. The photovoltaic system disconnecting means shall consist of not more than six switches or six circuit breakers mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard.
(4) Maximum Number of Disconnects. The photovoltaic system disconnecting means shall consist of not more than six switches or six circuit breakers mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard.
Depending on local AHJ interpretation(s), there can be more than six disconnects on one service. However, only up to six disconnects can be grouped at any one location.
For those that are not considering a PV-service interconnection disconnect as a service disconnect, think again. Any equipment containing a service conductor is service equipment.
That said, the disconnect is permitted under 230.2(A). Could be any one of the permitted except (A)(1). Also backing up permission is 230.82(6), equipment connected to the supply side of service disconnect.
Now, the problem seems to arise out of six service disconnects already being grouped, but actually it doesn't matter how many are grouped there because 230.72(B) says the PV-service interconnecting disconnect must be located remote to the permitted one-to-six service disconnects...
kwired
Electron manager
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- NE Nebraska
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- EC
That is where my statement that I am not an expert on PV kicks in. Does PV supply conductors tie directly to service conductors or do they hit a disconnect first? If they hit a disconnect first how is it they are service conductors?
If it is an interconection device bringing the PV and service supplies together, then yes it is service on one side, and is one of your allowed six service disconnects. The PV side of it is not service equipment. PV is not happening around here so I know little about it. Wind generation is rare, but you are seeing some. I have not been involved in any however.
I have wondered how they prevent backfeeding the utility if the utility power has failed. My guess is it is built into the interconnection device and is not as simple as a standby transfer switch.
Add: I re-read OP and think I have better understanding of his situation now. He wants to add a 7th switch to service to tie to a PV interconnecting device. There is nothing wrong with anything on the PV side of things here but there is with the 7th service disconnect.
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jaggedben
Senior Member
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- Northern California
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- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
No, that refers to the DC disconnecting means for the PV. And in any case, the OP is only proposing adding one AC PV disconnect to the existing equipment.
jaggedben
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern California
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- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
You're right, a PV system itself is not a service, strictly speaking. But it may be connected to its own service, with nothing else connected, which is all I meant when I referred to whether "PV is
a service."
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