The NEC, 690 and 230

[Master Zaster]

Question for those knowledgeable in PV systems and Line Side Connections.

I have been beating the code for the past couple of days trying to wrap my head around 690.64(A), 690.14(C),(D), and Article 230. I have seen others on this forum, and other articles, state that when making a line side connection that the PV disconnect is part of the Utility's Service Rule of 6.

I am having a hard time understanding why this is. Is this not a Second Service as allowed by 230.2(A)(5)? 230.40 Excp. 5, and 230.82(5) also imply that this is a second service (or at least to treated as such). At the very least since we are following 690.64(A), this points to 230.82 and these conductors are clearly on the line side, we can say these are service conductors.

Now as I read 230.71(A), we are allowed up to 6 service disconnects PER service. I believe we clearly have a second service, so why are we not allowed up to 12 Disconnects (2 Groups of 6, 6 for utility service and 6 for Parallel Generation Service)?

In terms of the intent of the code, lets consider a building with a single main service disconnect with no PV system installed. In order to shut down the building, you flip the main service disconnect. Now if we add the PV system as a line side connection, you still only need to flip the main disconnect. Flipping the PV system disconnect has no effect on the building. The Utility service is still there powering the service conductors. Turning off the PV disconnect de-energizes nothing!

Please, some one tell me the code reference I am missing so I can put this issue to rest. I just don?t see where in either the text of the code or the intent of the code that it says that the PV disconnect is part of the Utility?s service disconnect.

Thank you!

 

[Bea]

To connect to supply side of service conductors the PV system must have grid interactive inverter. The pv system will not produce ac voltage output with out utility service being energized so the PV system would not be considered a seperate service. When connecting a head of the main service disconnect the conductors between the grid interactive and that connection point would be considered service conductors. The conductors would need service rated disconnect, grouped with main service disconnect, and 230.71 would apply to the number of disconnects

 

[Master Zaster]

Thank you for your response!

Bea, I agree with the first part. I know we need a grid interactive to prevent Islanding. So I can see what you are saying with the second part about the inverters shutting down. My own research has essentially come to the same conclusion about it not being a second service as the definition of service is a connection from the utility to building.

I think I also found my answer to the rest of the problem as well. 230.82(6) says I can connect to the supply side of the service. This, while not saying its service conductors, still requires a disconnect as required by 230.70 in order to disconnect all conductors from the service-entrance conductors. This essentially means I have to follow all of Part V, VI, VII at a minimum, and possibly Part IV which I think the code intends, but does not actually say.

Is this correct? And thanks again for the help!