PV Panel Grounding: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
*PV Grounding PDF [http://solarabcs.org/about/publications/reports/systemgrounding/pdfs/SystemGrounding_studyreport.pdf]. ''Although the NEC does not specifically require all equipment to be certified/listed, many local jurisdictions and many AHJs establish requirements that all equipment be certified/listed because they feel unqualified to examine uncertified/unlisted equipment for safety as the NEC requires.'' | *PV Grounding PDF [http://solarabcs.org/about/publications/reports/systemgrounding/pdfs/SystemGrounding_studyreport.pdf]. ''Although the NEC does not specifically require all equipment to be certified/listed, many local jurisdictions and many AHJs establish requirements that all equipment be certified/listed because they feel unqualified to examine uncertified/unlisted equipment for safety as the NEC requires.'' | ||
**Good overview doc. Read it from p. 6 on to understand equipment ground, system ground. | **Good overview doc. Read it from p. 6 on to understand equipment ground, system ground. | ||
**Additional issue for PV is that in cloudy conditions, if you get a fault, a breaker may not trip because current is too low | **Additional issue for PV is that in cloudy conditions, if you get a fault, a breaker may not trip because current is too low. For this reason, extra ground fault protection devices may be required. | ||
=Equipment Grounding= | =Equipment Grounding= | ||
Revision as of 21:24, 15 September 2023
NEC 690 - Covers PV Systems
- 690.45 - size of PV equipment grounding conductors - Table 250.122 + no less than 14 ga.
- 690.9(A) says that we don't need overcurrent device for PV if the wires can handle short current capacity of PV. But good luck trying to convince a code official.
- PV Grounding PDF [1]. Although the NEC does not specifically require all equipment to be certified/listed, many local jurisdictions and many AHJs establish requirements that all equipment be certified/listed because they feel unqualified to examine uncertified/unlisted equipment for safety as the NEC requires.
- Good overview doc. Read it from p. 6 on to understand equipment ground, system ground.
- Additional issue for PV is that in cloudy conditions, if you get a fault, a breaker may not trip because current is too low. For this reason, extra ground fault protection devices may be required.
Equipment Grounding
- PV panels should follow electrical grounding conductor sizes - [2]
- Ie, for 30A DC, we need 10 ga ground.
- PV frames must be connected to PV system equipment grounding conductor [3]
- After leaving the PV array, the equipment ground must run together with the power wires. [4]
What Size Grounding Conductor on PV Panels?
- Australia rules - appear to say 6 ga for lightning protection, and 12 ga for frame grounding [5]
- 6 ga USA if 'subject to damage'?