Line Side Tap (AHJ wants to treat as a load)

[ggunn]

As a practical question, I don't know the answer. As a matter of code, I think that you can argue that PV is not a load and therefore doesn't fall under 230.40 Exception 2, which specifically refers to separate loads.



Not if the PV isn't a load. And not if its permitted under Exception 5 instead of Exception 2.

Is this an ironclad argument? Maybe not, especially if the inverter has a nighttime standby load. (It may or may not). But it's got a valid logic to it, and is the best argument to use with this AHJ.

From the data sheet, the internal consumption at night of an SMA SB 8000 is 0.1W. At 277V, that's less than 0.0004A. Is that a load? Well, yes, but seriously?

 

[jaggedben]

From the data sheet, the internal consumption at night of an SMA SB 8000 is 0.1W. At 277V, that's less than 0.0004A. Is that a load? Well, yes, but seriously?

Exactly. It has to be a pretty uptight AHJ to say that counts.

 

[Zee]

GGUNN,
Bingo, the (GRID TIE ONLY!) inverter's back-lit display won't even come on after dark.
The inv. is DC - powered, and not an AC load, in my experience.

 

[shortcircuit2]

The Aurora PVI 6000 consumes 8-watts when on standby. That?s 30-milliamps that will give you a good jolt too. The GTI will not work at all if not for the input of the utility.

Anyway this (load or no-load) will have no implications on the size of the grounding electrode conductor for the service equipment installed for a GTI connection to the grid.

 

[Jeff S]

NEC 230.82 Equipment Connected to the Supply Side of Service Disconnect. (6)Solar photovoltaic systems, fuel cell systems, or interconnected electric power production sources. This should identify that the PV system is not another load connected to the line.