Photovoltaic

Wind
Generators
Photovoltaic Systems
 Photovoltaics (PV) is a solar energy technology that
uses the unique properties of semiconductors to
directly convey solar radiation into electricity.
 Photovoltaics is an environmentally friendly
technology that causes no noise or pollution and can
provide potential economic savings over time.
 Currently, the most significant disadvantage of PV
systems is the high initial cost compared to prices
competing power-generating technologies
(2) PV systems common at dwellings are: AC module
Systems with Micro Inverters, and DC Systems consisting
of DC modules and a DC to AC Inverter. Each have
specific NEC requirements.
 PV Systems are subject to all of the same
general requirements as most electrical systems
found in the NEC, such as overcurrent
protection and grounding. However PV
systems are also subject to additional
requirements found in NEC Article 690. Article
690 detail the sizing, specifications, and
installation methods required to complete a
safe, reliable, and easily maintained PV
electrical system. Article 705 has additional
requirements for PV systems Interconnected to
the primary source of power (Utility Power).
 TenThings You Have to
Know Installing and
Inspecting PV Systems
 Utilities and Co-Ops In Wisconsin have
unique requirements for Utility-Interactive
Applications, (Systems that are connected to
the Utility Grid)
 Requirements Include but not limited to:
 Utility Plan Review
 Additional Disconnect Requirements (PSC 119)
 Additional Metering Requirements
 On Site Inspection by Utility Prior to
energizing.
 The Diagram should
include the Array,
Inverter, Inverter Input
and Output Circuit,
Disconnect Switch,
Wiring methods,
Correction factors,
Overcurrent Protection,
and System Voltages.
The diagram shall be
requested and reviewed
prior to inspection.
 NEC 690.4(D)
 Inverters,
photovoltaic panels,
modules, combiners,
and controllers for
use in photovoltaic
power systems shall
be identified and
listed for the
(PV)application
 NEC 690.4 & 690.31(E)(4)
 PV Source and Output Circuits shall not be
contained in the same raceway, tray or box with
non-PV system wiring, unless the conductors of
the different system are separated by a partition.
 NEC 690.4(B)(1)-(4)
 PV source and output circuits, Inverter circuits,
and conductors of multiple PV systems shall be
identified at all points of termination, connection
and splices.
 NEC 690.14(C)(1)
 The photovoltaic disconnecting means (DC
Disconnect) shall be installed at a readily
accessible location either on the outside of a
building or structure or inside nearest the point
of entrance of the system conductors.
 Art. 100 Definition of Readily Accessible:
Capable of being reached quickly for operation,
renewal, or inspections without requiring to
climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to
portable ladders, and so forth.
Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible).
Capable of being reached quickly for operation,
renewal, or inspections without requiring those
to whom ready access is requisite to climb over
or remove obstacles or to resort to portable
ladders, and so forth.
 NEC 690.14(C)(1) Exception allows PV
installations to have a (DC) disconnecting
means located remote from the point of entry
of the system conductors if the installation
complies with NEC 690.31(E)
 Installing PV wiring per NEC 690.31(E) is
useful for PV Arrays mounted on rooftops of
dwellings , structures and where conductors
must enter a building or structure in distance.
 NEC 690.31(E) Lists specific requirements for
wiring methods remote from the point of entry.
 Any conductors and wiring methods allowed
by NEC Chapter 2 “Wiring and Protection”
and Chapter 3”Wiring Methods and Materials”
may be used with PV systems, in addition to
any wiring equipment specifically identified
for use in PV systems in Article 690.
 Part IV of article 690 covers the applications
and conditions of use for conductors used in
PV systems, and special equipment and
practices allowed.
 NEC 690.31(E) DC Source and Output Circuits
Inside a Building shall be contained in Metal
Raceways, Type MC cable that complies with NEC
250.118(10), or metal enclosures from the point of
penetration of the surface of the building or
structure to the first readily accessible
disconnecting means.
 No NM Romex or PVC Conduit allowed inside
the building.
 NEC 690.31(E)(1) Beneath Roofs. Wiring methods
shall not be installed within (10”) of the roof
decking except where directly below the roof
surface covered by PV modules and associated
equipment.
 New requirements were added for visibility and roof
marking requirements on certain PV circuits
 Firefighting community has expressed concern about
the safety of ventilating roofs where PV circuits are
present
 Routing PV circuits along the building structural
members will lower probability that the structural
members will be compromised by the firefighting
process during a fire
 When PV module system circuits are integrated into the
roof, PV associated circuits are to be clearly marked on
the surface of the roof as a visual aid for firefighters
and other maintenance personnel
 NEC 690.31(E)(2) Flexible wiring methods.
Where (FMC) smaller than ¾” and Type MC
cable smaller than 1” in diameter containing
PV circuit conductors are installed across
ceilings or floor joists, the cables shall be
protected by guard strips that are at least as
high as the cable. Where run exposed, other
than within 6’ of their connection to
equipment, these wiring methods shall closely
follow the building surface or protected from
physical damage by an approved means.
 Example 1: Ampacity and Overcurrent
Protection For PV Source and Output Circuits
NEC 690.8(A)(1)&(2) & 690.8(B)(1)
* The PV Source Circuit consists of the circuit
conductors between the PV modules and the
terminals of the combiner or inverter dc input
terminals if no combiner is used
 Example-Inverter Output Circuit: What size
OCPD is required for an Inverter output
Circuit having a maximum Inverter continuous
ac output nameplate current rating of 22A?
 OCPD= Inverter ac Output Current Rating X
125%
 OCPD=22A x 1.25
 OCPD= 27.5A
 OCPD=30A Circuit Breaker NEC 240.6(A) &
NEC 690.8(A)(3)
 PV Circuit Conductors must be sized to carry
not less than 125% of NEC 690.8(A) current
before the application of any required ampacity
correction requirements found in NEC Article
310.
 Example 1- PV Source Circuit (DC) Wiring:
What Size Conductor is required for a PV
Array String having a short circuit current
rating of 18Amps; assuming all terminals are
rated 75 degree C?
 Conductor Ampacity=(18 x 1.25)* x 1.25
 Conductor Ampacity= (22.5A)* x 1.25
 Conductor Ampacity= 28.125
 Conductor Ampacity= 10AWG rated 35A at 75
degree C. Table 310.15(B)(16)
 * 690.8(A)(1)
 Example 2- Inverter Output Circuit (AC
Wiring): What size 75 degree C rated conductor
is required for the Inverter Output Circuit if the
Maximum continuous nameplate ac rating of
the Inverter is 24A?
 Conductor Ampacity: Inverter Nameplate
Rating x 1.25
 Conductor Ampacity= 24A x 1.25
 Conductor Ampacity= 30Amps
 Conductor Ampacity= 10 AWG rated 35A at
75 degree C. NEC 310.15(B)(16) & NEC
690.8(A)(3)
 NEC 690.7.
 Maximum PV System Voltage is equal to the sum of
the rated open-circuit voltage (VOC) of the series-
connected PV modules as correct for the lowest
expected ambient temperature.
 The Open-Circuit Temperature coefficients are
generally supplied in the instructions for the PV
modules and can be used to determine maximum
system voltage.
 If the Open-Circuit Temperature coefficients are not
supplied by the manufacture Table 690.7 Shall be used
to determine PV System Voltage
 For one-and-two family dwellings, the maximum PV
system voltage is limited to 600V. NEC 690.7(C)
 The equipment grounding requirements for PV systems
have been rearranged and revised for clarity and
usability in the 2011 NEC
 Bonding and grounding is required for all exposed non-
current-carrying metal parts of module frames,
electrical equipment, and conductor enclosures of a
solar photovoltaic (PV) system (typically achieved
through the EGC system)
 Typically, module frame of a PV system is an aluminum
frame, making a durable connection with an EGC or
bonding jumper difficult
 Revisions will allow grounding devices that have been
developed too quickly and effectively ground the frames
of PV modules
 NEC 690.47(A) If installing a ac PV System, a
grounding electrode shall be provided in
accordance with 250.50 through 250.60. The
grounding electrode shall be installed in
accordance with 250.64
 If installing a dc system, a grounding electrode
shall be provided in accordance with 250.166
for grounded PV systems. The grounding
electrode shall be installed in accordance with
250.64.
Turbine Fires,
Uniform
Installations &
Enforcement
 The format for Article 694 is modeled
after the PV code’s Article 690. Section I
(694.1 through 694.7) establishes the
scope of the article and provides
definitions for terms specific to small
wind systems. It also states that 694
requirements apply anytime they differ
from the rest of the code—except for 705,
when a small wind system is operated in
parallel with primary sources of
electricity; and 500 through 516, when a
system is installed in a hazardous
location.
 Section I specifies that small wind
systems shall be installed by
qualified persons.
 Section I also requires surge
protection between the wind turbine
system and the loads served, and
allows standard plug-in receptacles
on the wind turbine branch or feeder
circuit for maintenance or data
acquisition. (This is not allowed for
in PV systems under Article 690.)
Surge Protection Devices (SPD)
• SPD’s must be installed
between the wind system
and the premises electrical
system.
• Permitted to be Type 2 or 3
A receptacle shall be
permitted to be supplied
by a wind system branch
circuit for maintenance
or data acquisition use.
• All 125-volt, singlephase,
15 & 20 amp
receptacles installed for
maintenance of the
wind turbine shall have
GFCI protection.
 SectionII (694.10 to 694.18)
covers circuit requirements.
It defines how to calculate
voltage and current for small
wind systems and how to
derate conductors.
(A) Wind Turbine Output
Circuits
– Wind turbines connected to
one and two-family dwellings
are limited to a maximum of 600
volts.
Turbine Output Circuit
Currents shall be
based on the circuit
current of the wind
turbine operating at
maximum output
power.
• 6200 W/240 V= 25.8 A
Small wind
turbine electric
system currents
shall be
considered to
be continuous.
Conductors and OCPD shall be sized to carry
not less than 125% of the maximum current
(continuous)
 Conductors and OCPD shall be sized to carry not less
than 125% of the maximum current (continuous)
 28 amps X 125% = 35 amps @ 240 volts
 Table 310.15(B)(16) 75° C = #10 Cu
 240.6-35 amp OCPD Required
 Check manufacturer’s installation requirements
 240.4(B) & (C) permitted for round-up rule
 If OCPD rated for continuous operation at 100% is
 permitted at 100%
 – 30 amp OCPD, #10 Cu Permitted Per 694.12(B)(2)(ex)
Turbine output circuits, inverter
output circuits, and storage battery
circuit conductors and equipment
shall be protected in accordance
with Article 240.
 Section III (694.20 to 694.28)
relates to disconnecting issues.
Means shall be
provided to
disconnect all
current-carrying
conductors of a
wind source
from all other
conductors in a
building.
 Not required to be SUSE rated
 • Located where readily accessible

 • Externally operable

 • Plainly indicate open or closed

 • Interrupting rating sufficient for voltage and

current
 • Where capable of being

energized in the open

position, must have
warning signs
 Readily accessible location
 – On or adjacent to the turbine
tower
 – On the outside of a building or
structure
 – Or inside, at the point of entrance
of the wind conductors
 Not required at the nacelle or tower
 Not permitted in bathrooms
 Section IV (694.30) covers wiring
methods. It requires that flexible cords
comply with Article 400 and be identified
as hard service cord, listed for outdoor
use and water-resistant.
 DC output circuits in a building must be
in metal raceways, from the point of
penetration at the building’s surface to
the first readily accessible disconnecting
means.
(A) Where accessible, over 30 volts, shall be in
raceways (C) DC output inside building must be in
metal raceway
Flexible cords, Art. 400, listed
for location
– Hard Service cord or portable
power cable
– Extra-hard usage
– Listed for outdoor use
– Water resistant
– Sunlight resistant where
exposed
– See 110.14 for flexible fine-
stranded cable terminations
 Section V (694.40) addresses
grounding.

Grounding Electrodes and

Grounding Electrode Conductors
– A wind turbine tower shall be
connected to a grounding
electrode system.
– Where installed in close
proximity to galvanized
foundation or tower anchor
components, galvanized
grounding electrodes shall be
used. (See Info Note NEC 694.40(C)(1)
 All Exposed non current carrying metal parts
of the tower, turbine nacelles, other equipment
and conductor enclosures shall be connected to
an equipment grounding conductor in
accordance with NEC 250.134 or 136(A)
 Note: Metallic turbine blades and tails that
have no source of electrical energization shall
not be required to be connected to equipment
grounding conductors
Not required to be
attached to equipment
grounding conductor.
 Section VI (694.50 through 694.56) prescribes
signage that is required for various system
configurations. It covers grid-interactive systems
and stand-alone systems.

All points of
interconnection shall be
marked at an
accessible location with
the rated ac output
current
and the nominal
operating ac voltage.
WIND ELECTRIC
 Section VII (694.60 to 694.68) pertains to
connecting the system to other sources of
electricity. This section requires that inverters
used in grid-tied systems be listed and
identified as utility-interactive, and that these
systems comply with article 705
Covers installation of one or more
electric power production sources
operating in parallel with a primary
source of electricity
 Section VIII (694.70 to 694.75) covers
storage batteries, referencing Article
480 for general battery requirements.
 Section IX (694.80 and 694.85) is for systems
greater than 600 volts. While there are few, if
any, systems in excess of 600 V and no battery
systems over 600 V, serious efforts are made to
not have the code limit future developments.
Offshore
Available up to 7.0 MW
capacity
 NEC 312.8(3)
 If branch circuits feed
through an enclosure to
the generator branch
circuit enclosure a
warning label must be
applied to the enclosure
that identifies the closest
disconnecting means for
any feed through
conductors