Photovoltaic Power Systems and the 2005 National Electrical Code

Suggested Practices

 

Many of the photovoltaic (PV) power systems in use and being installed today may not be in compliance with the NEC and other local codes. There are several contributing factors to this situation:

• The PV industry has a strong “grass roots,” do-it-yourself faction that is not fully aware of the dangers associated with low-voltage and high-voltage, direct-current (dc) and alternating-current (ac) electrical power systems.
• Electricians and electrical inspectors have not had significant experience with direct-current portions of the Code or PV power systems.
• The electrical equipment industries do not advertise or widely distribute equipment suitable for dc use that meets NEC requirements.
• Popular publications present information to the public that implies that PV systems are easily installed, modified, and maintained by untrained personnel.
• Photovoltaic equipment manufacturers have, in some cases, been unable to afford the costs associated with testing and listing by approved testing laboratories like Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or ETL, Inc.
• Photovoltaic installers and dealers in many cases have not had significant training or experience installing ac residential and/or commercial power systems.

 

Click here or on the image above to read the entire suggested practices for PV power systems manual article produced by John Wiles at the Southwest Technology Development Institute at New Mexico State University.