darunedefig
Member
- Location
- HV, New York
- Occupation
- Electrician
Code states: "690.12(C) Initiation Device. The initiation device(s) shall initiate the rapid shutdown function of the PV system. The device “off” position shall indicate that the rapid shutdown function has been initiated for all PV systems connected to that device. For one-family and two-family dwellings, an initiation device(s) shall be located at a readily accessible location outside the building."
Normally we install our main solar disconnect, rapid shutdown, on the exterior wall of the building the solar is going on next to a utility meter.
I have a job where installing on the exterior wall is inconvenient and the utility meter/MSP are remote 100'+ away.
Our AHJ in NY is saying "a rapid shutdown initiating device would be required on each of the buildings where the arrays are installed". I asked for where this is in the code and they sent me 690.12(C).
If I am inside the building and I walk "outside the building" and I walk 20' or 100' away then I would still be "outside the building".
If the code wanted the initiation device for rapid shutdown to be on the exterior wall of building or within 20' of the building then they should have said so.
What is everyone else's interpretation of this?
We have done plenty of jobs where placing the disconnect on the exterior wall was close to impossible and instead we had the rapid shutdown device on an exterior post mounted backboard within 10' of the utility meter and over 10' from exterior wall.
I have a job coming up where the house has solar modules and the detached studio/apartment has solar modules. There is a remote meter and main service panel on a post mounted backboard off of the driveway on the way to the house and studio. There is an existing trenched rigid metal conduit from the inside of the studio to the remote meter. Plan is to run DC in metallic conduit inside the building to the SolarEdge inverters located on the same post mounted backboard as the utility meter and MSP. The studio is covered by windows on the lower level with no wall space. I think the main PV AC breaker located by meter or the SolarEdge inverters would follow the code without needing a disconnect at the studio or one for the house. The post mounted backboard by the driveway is readily accessible in my opinion. Maybe if the post mounted backboard was in the middle of the woods or 1000 ft away then that could be considered not readily accessible.
Normally we install our main solar disconnect, rapid shutdown, on the exterior wall of the building the solar is going on next to a utility meter.
I have a job where installing on the exterior wall is inconvenient and the utility meter/MSP are remote 100'+ away.
Our AHJ in NY is saying "a rapid shutdown initiating device would be required on each of the buildings where the arrays are installed". I asked for where this is in the code and they sent me 690.12(C).
If I am inside the building and I walk "outside the building" and I walk 20' or 100' away then I would still be "outside the building".
If the code wanted the initiation device for rapid shutdown to be on the exterior wall of building or within 20' of the building then they should have said so.
What is everyone else's interpretation of this?
We have done plenty of jobs where placing the disconnect on the exterior wall was close to impossible and instead we had the rapid shutdown device on an exterior post mounted backboard within 10' of the utility meter and over 10' from exterior wall.
I have a job coming up where the house has solar modules and the detached studio/apartment has solar modules. There is a remote meter and main service panel on a post mounted backboard off of the driveway on the way to the house and studio. There is an existing trenched rigid metal conduit from the inside of the studio to the remote meter. Plan is to run DC in metallic conduit inside the building to the SolarEdge inverters located on the same post mounted backboard as the utility meter and MSP. The studio is covered by windows on the lower level with no wall space. I think the main PV AC breaker located by meter or the SolarEdge inverters would follow the code without needing a disconnect at the studio or one for the house. The post mounted backboard by the driveway is readily accessible in my opinion. Maybe if the post mounted backboard was in the middle of the woods or 1000 ft away then that could be considered not readily accessible.