Are rapid shutdown boxes required on ground mount installations?

[D0T-C0M]

I've been searching out this question but haven't had any luck so my question is are rapid shutdown boxes required on ground mounts or is this just when mounting PV panels on a roof? Also if required can you just put one rapid shutdown box on each string of panels or must they be on all the individual panels?

[PVAndy]

I've been searching out this question but haven't had any luck so my question is are rapid shutdown boxes required on ground mounts or is this just when mounting PV panels on a roof? Also if required can you just put one rapid shutdown box on each string of panels or must they be on all the individual panels?

No only on roof mounts

Andy

[Ddwarf]

Check with your ahj. I just went through this and mine required rapid shutdown on all residential installs. I just put in a ground mount and I had to include rapid shutdown.

[Mike90250]

Check with your ahj. I just went through this and mine required rapid shutdown on all residential installs. I just put in a ground mount and I had to include rapid shutdown.

I hate it when AHJ thinks they are improving things. Sure you can "justify" almost anything, like bubble wrapping your kids to go to school. But it's not always better or right

[SunEagle]

Check with your ahj. I just went through this and mine required rapid shutdown on all residential installs. I just put in a ground mount and I had to include rapid shutdown.

That sucks. May I ask which state and county you are in? Maybe others living in the same area need to check with their county ordinances before installing solar.

[Ddwarf]

Ingham county. Michigan. Twp inspector through. Fortunately I was able to add rapid shutdown modules pretty easily and it does make maintenance easier/safer.

Breaks my secure power supply that the sunny boy inverters give

[J.P.M.]

I hate it when AHJ thinks they are improving things. Sure you can "justify" almost anything, like bubble wrapping your kids to go to school. But it's not always better or right

Yea, but you know the two rules when dealing with inspectors.

[khanh dam]

690.12(B)(2) Inside the Array Boundary. The PV system shall comply with one of the following:

(3) PV arrays with no exposed wiring methods, no exposed conductive parts, and installed more than 2.5 m (8 ft) from exposed grounded conductive parts or ground shall not be required to comply with 690.12(B)(2).

I think the above means ground arrays need to be 8 feet or more up in the air.???

[Ddwarf]

My interpretation is that rapid shutdown only applies to arrays or DC circuits that are installed on buildings so the entire rapid shutdown shouldn't apply. The purpose is for emergency responders to be able to safely create a a safe entry/exit point without having to worry about live wires.

I suppose one could consider the ground mount framework to be a building. Seems a stretch to me but up the inspector!