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Photovoltaic System
Grounding
Prepared by:
John C. Wiles, Jr.
Southwest Technology Development Institute
College of Engineering
New Mexico State University
October 2012
2 Photovoltaic System Grounding
Disclaimer
This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United
States government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of
their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus,
product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned
rights. Reference herein to any specic commercial product, process, or service by trade
name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its
endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency
thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or
reect those of the United States government or any agency thereof.
Download a copy of the report:
www.solarabcs.org/systemgrounding
3 Solar America Board for Codes and Standards Report
Executive Summary
Photovoltaic (PV) power systems are capable of producing hazardous voltages and
currents for decades. To ensure the safety of the public for these extended periods of
time, PV systems must be properly designed and installed using the highest standards of
workmanship.
This paper addresses the requirements for PV system grounding contained in the
U.S. National Electrical Code
(NEC
As installed PV systems
age, grounding issues emerge
that impact system safety.
4 Photovoltaic System Grounding
Table of Contents
DISCLAIMER ......................................................................................................................... 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................ 3
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................... 4
SOLAR AMERICA BOARD FOR CODES AND STANDARDS ................................................ 5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... 5
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 6
DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................ 7
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE REQUIREMENTS ...................................................... 9
SYSTEM GROUNDING .......................................................................................................... 13
MICROINVERTERS AND AC PV MODULESDIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS ..................... 18
GROUND FAULTS AND GROUND-FAULT PROTECTION DEVICES ..................................... 20
THE CONNECTION TO EARTH ..................................................................................... 25
UTILITY VS NEC REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................... 26
ACRONYMS .......................................................................................................................... 27
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 28
5 Solar America Board for Codes and Standards Report
Author Biography
John C. Wiles, Jr.
John Wiles is a senior research engineer at the Southwest Technology Development
Institute, College of Engineering at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New
Mexico.
He bought his rst copy of the National Electrical Code
(NEC
(NEC
),
NFPA 70.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). (2011). National Electrical Code Handbook.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL). (2002). UL 1703: Standard for safety for at-plate
photovoltaic modules and panels. (Revised dated May 8, 2012). http://ulstandardsinfonet.
ul.com/scopes/1703.html
UL. (2010). UL 1741: Standard for safety for inverters, converters, controllers and
interconnection system equipment for use with distributed energy resources.
http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/scopes/scopes.asp?fn=1741.html
UL. (2010). UL 2703: Rack mounting systems and clamping devices for at-plate photovoltaic
modules and panels. http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/outscope/2703.html
Solar America Board for Codes and Standards
www.solarabcs.org