NEC 2008 - PV system main disconnect location

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kingfisher5115

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east moriches, new york
Our inquiry regards a residential photovoltaic installation and a supply side interconnection for the PV system. We plan for an exterior line side tap box just after the meter which is located outside the home. The fused disconnect serving the PV system would be directly adjacent to the tap box (exterior) and the main service disconnect for the home would remain inside the home at the main service panel. We plan to provide a plaque at the PV disconnect showing location of the main service panel disconnect. Are we compliant with the NEC2008?
 
I don't recall 2008 requiring such a plaque. Yet again, I don't recall 2008 prohibiting such a plaque either.


More often than not, such an install presents a problem with the POCO wanting both disconnecting means on the exterior.
 
Thanks for your response.....and understood, but... Would 2008 NEC - 690.56(B) apply to our situation?... the PV main fused disconnect not located with the main service disconnect situation?

2008 NEC - 690.56 (B) is the specific code reference "a permanent plaque or directory providing the location of the service disconnecting means and the photovoltaic system disconnecting means if not located at the same location"
 
This makes sense from our perspective... the confusion lies in the "grouping of service disconnects" provision in Article 230 vs. language in 690.56(B) when the disconnects are not located in the same location...

Any guidance for other articles which point to not grouping the PV main disconnect and the service main disconnect?

Thanks in advance for any input on this...
 
kingfisher5115 said:
This makes sense from our perspective... the confusion lies in the "grouping of service disconnects" provision in Article 230 vs. language in 690.56(B) when the disconnects are not located in the same location...

Any guidance for other articles which point to not grouping the PV main disconnect and the service main disconnect?

Thanks in advance for any input on this...
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Well, there is that code section that says that the PV disconnect is not required to be service rated. Which provokes the assertion that it is not a service disconnect and therefore does not need to be grouped.
 
Oh man, not another 'is the PV disconnect a service disconnect' thread... :slaphead:

Hopefully this helps...

230.71(A)
General: The service disconnecting means for each service permitted by 230.2, or for each set of service-entrance conductors permitted by 230.40, Exception No. 1,3,4, or 5, shall consist of not more than ...[etc.]
Click to expand...

You are creating another set of service entrance conductors as permitted by 230.40, Exception 5. The words 'or' and 'each' in the quote above mean that set of service conductors gets its own set of up to six grouped disconnects. So use that for your purpose and don't worry about trying to prove it's not a service disconnect.
 
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