So, I have been going through the Canadian Electrical Code 2015 and have identified several grey areas that we have not been penalized for to date by field inspectors. I wanted to see what this community thinks of these grey areas, and how they deal with them in their installations.
64-060(2) Disconnecting means (Renewable energy system section)
64-060(2) Disconnecting means (Renewable energy system section)
The disconnecting means referred to in Subrule (1) shall be in accordance with Rule 84-024 and shall be
a) located within sight of and within 9 m of the equipment; or
b) integral to the equipment
a) located within sight of and within 9 m of the equipment; or
b) integral to the equipment
- Does this mean that the AC disconnect for a PV system needs to be within sight of the equipment? How is that possible, if the panels are on the roof and the AC disconnect is on the wall of the house?
Disconnecting means shall
a) be capable of being energized from both sides;
b) plainly indicate whether it is in the open or closed position;
c) have contact operation verifiable by direct visible means if required by the supply authority;
a) be capable of being energized from both sides;
b) plainly indicate whether it is in the open or closed position;
c) have contact operation verifiable by direct visible means if required by the supply authority;
- Typically we use a breaker box as our disconnecting means. Does this mean that the breaker box needs to have a clear cover?
In addition to the marking requirements given in Rule 64-072, a permanent marking shall be provided at an accessible location at the disconnecting means for the photovoltaic output circuit, specifying the following:
a) the rated operating current and voltage;
b) the maximum photovoltaic source circuit voltage calculated in accordance with Rules 64-202(1) and (2); and
c) the rated short-circuit current.
a) the rated operating current and voltage;
b) the maximum photovoltaic source circuit voltage calculated in accordance with Rules 64-202(1) and (2); and
c) the rated short-circuit current.
- Does this mean that we have to create a lamacoid stamp (white lettering on red background) that indicates the open circuit voltage and short circuit current of each individual string feeding a string inverter?
- What about for microinverters? Do we need to put the inidvidual panel short circuit current and open circuit voltage on the AC disconnect plaque?
Where the dc arc-fault protection referred to in Rule 64-216 is not located at the module, photovoltaic source circuit conductors and cables installed on or above a building, and installed in accordance with Subrules (1), (2), and (3) shall be provided with mechanical protection, in the form of and enclosed raceway or other acceptable material to protect against damage from rodents.
- Does this mean that we need to wrap the RPVU wiring that runs from the module to the microinverter located directly underneath it with some form of "acceptable material" that will protect it against damage from rodents?
(6) Notwithstanding Rule 12-2202(1), (2), and (3), Type RPVU conductors shall be permitted to be installed in cable tray for the interconnection of the solar photovoltaic system
(7) Type RPV conductors installed in a raceway shall be permitted for the interconnection of the solar photovoltaic system.
(7) Type RPV conductors installed in a raceway shall be permitted for the interconnection of the solar photovoltaic system.
- Does this mean that RPV and RPVU cables are the ONLY cables that can be used to transmit DC current to a string inverter? What about TECK 90 cables?
Notwithstanding Rules 64-058(1) and 64-066(1)(a), individual overcurrent protection devices shall not be required where the sum of the available short-circuit current from all photovoltaic source circuits connected to the same power conditioning unit is not greater that the rated ampacity of the apparatus or conductors.
- Does this mean that overcurrent protection devices are not needed on PV source circuits (DC) if all the source circuit conductors are large enough to handle the current from the entire array? In other words, if each PV string has wires big enough to accommodate the current from all the other strings combined, then you don't require overcurrent protection devices on any of the strings?
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