Free online access to the nec and other electrical standards. Half of the states already adopted nec 2017 and several more will in the next few months such as nj and ct, so you cant wait any longer to understand what these changes mean to your rooftop projects capex and opex pay close attention to part 2 below. Those articles provided, respectively, the requirements for surge arrestors over 1,000v. Batteries currently addressed several nec articles including articles 480 and 690. Nec national electrical code 2011 edition unless otherwise.
In general, only those terms that are used in two or more articles are defined in article. The 2011 code requires that wherever the requirements of other articles of this code and article 690 differ, the requirements of article 690 shall apply and, if the system is operated in parallel with a primary sources of electricity, the requirements. The national electrical code nec style manual is prepared under the guidance of the nec technical correlating committee and is used to advise members of the codemaking panels on the required editorial style and arrangement of the nec. Figure 4 as of the first draft revision of nec 2017, 690. However, they do make available a limiteduse online copy of the 2011 nec. Changes related to 2008 nec requirements are noted in brackets. Photovoltaic power systems and the national electrical code.
Solar photovoltaic pv systems mike holt enterprises. Pd 690 is established on property located north of stevens forest drive and west of mary cliff road. Page 2 of 6 2014 nec requirements the following is taken from the bill brooks article listed at the end2, and gives the exact wording of the rapid shutdown requirement in the 2014 code, as follows. A stepbystep guide to the 2011 national electrical code.
Means shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a. Oct 11, 2012 the national electric code nec is published by the national fire protection association nfpa. With the return of bipolar arrays, definitions to distinguish subarray and monopole subarray were added. Pv source and output conductors must be routed along building structural members beams, rafters, trusses, and columns where the location of those structural members can be deter. Dc loads, standalone systems ac loads, and battery storage systems have historically been considered part of article 690. The example here is dc combiners and dctodc converters.
Article menu access options download pdf pdf full article content list abstract introduction aim article menu access options download pdf pdf full article content list abstract introduction aim article 690 nec article 35 article 450 article 5 nec article 336 nec article 551 article 5 nec article 90. Revisions for the 2011 national electrical code part 1. This article applies to solar pv systems, other than those covered by article 691, including the array circuits, inverters, and controllers for such systems. Nec 2017 code changes chapter 6 special equipment changes from the 2014 code are highlighted in yellow. Inverters, motor generators, photovoltaic modules, photovoltaic panels, ac photoyoltaic modules, sourcecircuit combiners, and charge controllers intended for use in photovoltaic power systems shall be identified and listed for the application. Nec national electrical code 2011 edition unless otherwise noted.
Part 1 of this 4part series covers codewide changes through article 240. Written by a master electrician, 2011 national electrical code chapterbychapter offers an indepth analysis of the nec with particular attention to the order in which various elements appear. An essential for all electrical professionals, the set includes 96 highquality tabs colorcoded for easy navigation you can stick on the pages of the nec, 2020 edition, or nfpa 70, national electrical code. Unfortunately, the nfpa intentionally makes this free online version difficult to find and use. It is not intended to include commonly defined general terms or commonly defined technical terms from related codes and standards. Open cir cuiting, short circuiting, or opaque covering shall be used to disable an array or portions of an array for installation and service. These are not the same thing as the wiring methods and materials covered in part iv with the 2020 nec, much of 600. Except for a slight change in 2008, the requirement has been largely unchanged. A critical look at load side utilityinteractive pv inverter. It is vastly different in 2020 from what it was in 2011.
Once again, please keep in mind the proposed changes above are just a small section of the changes to article 690 in nec 2017. When not in the field, she teaches classes in code calculations, code update, and article 690 solar. It has since been updated for the 2005 national electrical. In addition to national experts, california has over 45,000. Many areas of article 690 were clarified, some were not, and some added requirements.
The course covers only major code changes, but provides depth of coverage. Photovoltaic power systems and the national electrical code suggested practices ix applicable articles from the national electrical code although most portions of the national electrical code apply to all electrical power systems, including photovoltaic power systems, those listed below are of particular significance. The national electric code nec is published by the national fire protection association nfpa. Pv system circuits installed on or in buildings shall include a rapid shutdown function to reduce shock hazard for emergency responders in accordance with 690. Solar photovoltaic systems covered by this article may be interactive.
National electrical code 2008 edition this edition of nfpa 70, national electrical code, was prepared by the national electrical code committee and acted on by nfpa at its june association technical meeting held june 37, 2007, in boston, ma. Part ii of article 690 provides the circuit requirements for pv systems. If it does supply loads, it really doesnt play into your question as long as it is placed on the bus between the utility supply and the pv supply. Article 690 applies to photovoltaic pv electrical energy systems. The concern is that you cant have a situation where the utility current 100amp plus the solar array 30 amp is more than 120% of the rated capacity. Article menu access options download pdf pdf full article content list abstract introduction aim article menu access options download pdf pdf full article content list abstract introduction aim article 690 nec article 300 article 35 article 450 article 5 article 5 nec article 551 article 555 nec article 590 nec article 682 nec nec article. Bipolar arrays have not been in evidence since the mid 1990s. Full article content list abstract introduction aim article 690 nec article 300 article 35 article 450 article 5 article 5 nec article 551 article 555 nec article 590 nec article 682 nec nec article 90.
This new requirement applies to pv systems on buildings in the us and is. Photovoltaic source circuits and pv output circuits shall not be. Full article content list abstract introduction aim article 690 nec article 35 article 450 article 5 nec article 336 nec article 551 article 5 nec article 90. The nfpa recovers part of its code development costs by selling code books. The ac circuit breaker in the distribution panel serves as an additional ac disconnecting means per 690. This requirement has been in thecodesince the late 1980s when pv article 690 first appeared. Nec chapter 1 article 100 definitions electrician central. Originally based on the 2002 nec, article 690, and various guidelines from a few jurisdictions and using input from several experienced professionals including installers and inspectors throughout the u. Where article 690 differs from other articles of the nec, article 690 takes precedence. Buy nfpa 70, national electrical code nec looseleaf. The national electrical code nec requirements for overvoltage protection can be found in art. Those articles provided, respectively, the requirements for surge arrestors over 1,000v and surgeprotective devices spds 1,000v or less.
You are correct that the rating of this panelboardif the bus rating is 400 amperesdoes not meet the requirements found in 690. Article 690, which consists of nine parts, provides electrical requirements for photovoltaic pv systems. Only about 15% to 20% of the work of installing a solar photovoltaic pv system is electrical. Part i begins with an extensive list of definitions and includes four diagrams. Building inspectors guide nec 690 pv labeling requirements. Mike holts illustrated guide to understanding 2011 nec requirements for solar.
The requirements outlined in this article are based on the 2011 edition of the nec. This article is new with the 2020 nec, and it replaces art. Photovoltaic power systems and the national electrical. Manual operation of the main pv dc disconnect shall not activate the ground fault protection device or result in. The looseleaf 2020 edition has been enhanced and revised to provide stateoftheart requirements and information for safe and effective electrical work. A critical look at load side utilityinteractive pv. Together these changes promise to clarify both the design and permitting process. Nfpa 70e, standard for electrical safety in the workplace. There are several changes in article 690 that are simple relocations.
Nec 2011 and nec 2014, article 690, part iii disconnecting means california electrical code cec 2016, which is. The 2011 nec moved several sections from article 690 to article 705. When editing current code, the panel typically documents the changes as shown in the bullets you see below. The 2011 code requires that wherever the requirements of other articles of this code and article 690 differ, the requirements of article 690 shall apply and, if the system is operated in parallel with a primary sources of electricity, the requirements in 705. Manual operation of the main pv dc disconnect shall.
Nfpa delivers free online access to all nfpa standards to enhance public safety and to serve the publics increasing interest in technical information. For a pv power source, systems shall comply with 690. References in brackets are to the 2005 and 2008 nec and other relevant documents. This article contains only those definitions essential to the proper application of this code. Disconnecting means required by article 690, part iii, are not shown. How to get a free copy of the 2011 national electric code. It is intended to be used as a practical working tool to assist in making the nec as clear. Nec 2011 and nec 2014, article 690, part iii disconnecting means california electrical code cec 2016, which is based on nec 2014.
That is the section of the national electrial code. Article 680 swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, fountains, and. Thus, article 690 provides requirements for that portion. Rapid shutdown increased from 3 words to over 1100 words. But that electrical portion can easily result in disaster if not done correctly. It was issued by the standards council on july 26, 2007, with an effective date of august.
The wiring methods shall comply with the additional installation requirements in 1 through 4 nec article 250. As can be seen in the table below there are many subtle yet impactful changes sure to be coming in the newest edition of the nec. It has since been updated for the 2005 national electrical code. The layout and the method of presentation will enable new code users to navigate through the. The 2017 national electric code nec dramatically changes the requirements for rapid shutdown of pv systems on buildings. Design examples and problems national electrical code 2011 handbook national fire protection associationnational electrical code handbook email this blogthis.
Dec 26, 20 solar pv grounding electrode system 690. Photovoltaic modules are energized while exposed to light. Photovoltaic systems shall be permitted to supply a building or other structure in addition to any other electricity supply systems. Nfpa 70, national electrical code nfpa 70b, recommended practice for electrical equipment maintenance. The ampacity of branchcircuit conductors and overcurrent devices for pool or outdoor spa and hot tub water heaters must not be less than 125.