PV rapid shutdown device location

[katwalatapan]

Hello,

I understand based on the local jurisdiction, the location of PV rapid shutdown device could be on the interior of the building or on the exterior. I would appreciate some comments on following scenario:

We're planning to install a 8 kW grid-tied PV system on a roof top of two-storey multi-unit residential building. The electrical utility meter and distribution equipment are installed inside the building in the main electrical room. We would install a PV system shutdown device on the rooftop which would activate upon loss of utility AC power and as I understand by code, another PV system shutdown device grouped with the one on the rooftop is required before the DC/AC inverter.

My query is that knowing all electrical equipment is installed inside the building, would the PV system shutdown device installed before the inverter be located inside the building or outside the building as per standard industry practice. In the end the local authority would dictate the terms, but I wanted to understand the industry practice for such scenario.

Thank you.

 

[xnuke]

I'd locate it next to any disconnects that remove electrical power to the building. That way, emergency responders trying to disconnect building power will have access to it.

xnuke
"Live and act within the limit of your knowledge and keep expanding it to the limit of your life." Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged.
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[BigInch]

If I am not mistaken, NEC requires a disconnect switch to be located in a prominent place, at ground level, outside any building, if there were to be a building. A disconnect switch on the roof would be rediculuous, as that would require that someone navigate among possibly exposed live wires within the building to reach the roof and eventually shut them down.

 

[xnuke]

A disconnect switch and a rapid shutdown device are not the same thing.

xnuke
"Live and act within the limit of your knowledge and keep expanding it to the limit of your life." Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged.
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[BigInch]

OK
In any case it should be located, according to

http://www.civicsolar.com/resource/rapid-shutdown-pv-systems-buildings-nec-2014-article-69012

here ...

As with new code adoption comes new labeling and 690.12 is no exception. According to a later article, 690.56(C) a placard should be provided that reads “Photovoltaic System Equipped with rapid shutdown” and it should be placed where first responders are trained to go first to cut off the electricity during a fire. This has been left to the interpretation of the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), giving the option of identifying where it is to be place. This generally will be where the main service disconnect or meter are located.

 

[katwalatapan]

Thank you very much for the responses. As the main service disconnect and the meters are planned for installation inside the building in the main electrical room, then I suppose that should be the best place for a rapid shutdown device. The concered utility would have access to the main electrical room anyways, but I'll have to wait for the AHJ's response for the location so that first responders could access the shutdown device easily.