KACO blueplanet 1502xi - Manual (Page 24)

Page 26 blueplanet Operating and Installation Instructions 1502x - 2502x
Installation and Start-Up
nect, suitable for use for the prevailing conditions, and limits
the grouping of disconnects to six per enclosure. Section D,
permits utility interactive, or grid tied inverters to be located
in areas that are not readily accessible, and details the switch
requirements. The AC and DC disconnect should be line of sight
with the inverter and be readily accessible.
690.15: The means for disconnecting all aspects of a solar elec-
tric system must be provided, and if the equipment is energized
from more than one source, the disconnecting means should be
grouped and identifi ed. Allowances for several AC circuits to
be disconnected is allowed as long as the disconnect complies
with 690.17
690.17: The means for disconnect all ungrounded conductors
should be readily accessible, externally operable with expos-
ing the operator to live circuits, and plainly indicate the open
and closed positions. The disconnect shall have an interrupting
rating suffi cient for the nominal circuit voltage and current that
is available at the line terminals of the equipment.
690.64: The supply side of the inverter shall be permitted to
be connected to the supply side of the service disconnecting
means as permitted in 230.82.6. The load side is permitted as
long as each interconnection is made with a dedicated circuit
breaker rated for the appropriate current back feed rating.
230.82.6: The type of equipment connected to the supply is
listed, with subsection six identifying solar electric systems as
permissible.
All components within a UL 1741 compliant inverter must pass
evaluation spacing, voltages and currents that the inverter is
rated for. The UL 508 standard, industrial control equipment,
auxiliary devices has provisions for testing manually operated
switches. The integrated switch passed the UL508 standard
under the fi le E304888 for use within a UL 1741 approved grid
tied inverter. The switch was tested 6000 operating cycles at
the nominal AC and DC voltages and currents as noted in table
one below. Additional operating cycles of 4000 resulted in a
total of 10000 successful operating cycles. The switch was de
constructed and evaluated under a pass fail criteria.
As referenced in the NEC, subsection 690.17, the switch must
meet applicable voltage and current ratings. The AC and DC
switch ratings are detailed in this table:
AC / DC
Disconnect Inverter Models
1502 2502
DC Nominal
Voltage: VDC
550 550
DC Nominal
Current: IDC
21.45 21.45
AC Nominal
Voltage:
VAC
240/ 208 240/ 208
AC Nominal
Current:
IAC
8 12.5
5.3 External DC switch and AC
disconnect
NOTE
External DC switch
An external all-pole DC disconnect switch and an AC dis-
connect, which allows for the inverter to be disconnected
from the photovoltaic generator and the AC power grid and
removed for service.
! DANGER
When replacing the inverter section, the installer
must turn off the switch in the connection box, lock
it and measure the AC and DC wiring to be sure it
is not energized.
! DANGER
If there is a ground fault in the PV array, the groun-
ded conductor may be live. This is a problem with
the requirements of the National Electric Code
requiring that only the ungrounded conductor be
switched. If a ground fault is present and the GFDI
fuse blows, the grounded conductor is no longer
grounded and is live with respect to the position of
the ground fault.
Safety of components
The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has a diffi cult charge
and maintains ultimate authority of the solar electric system’s
fi nal inspection. The AHJ must be well versed with the require-
ments of the NEC, understand the local utilities’ ruling on the
use of a utility external disconnect switch (UEDS), and appli-
cable use of a UL 1741 approved product.
The following NEC 2008 subsections provide an overview of
the solar electric system disconnect requirements: 690.13;
690:14, 690.15, 690.17; 690.64, 230.82.6. Subsections are
summarized below. For the complete text refer to the appli-
cable NEC version approved for use in your jurisdiction.
690.13: The means to disconnect all current carrying conduc-
tors of a solar electric system from all other conductors in a
building.
690.14, sections A through D: Section A, the disconnection
means are not required to be suitable for service equipment and
should be rated in accordance with 690.17. Section B, equip-
ment specifi c to the photovoltaic source circuits such as over
current devices, circuit isolation switches, and blocking diodes
are permitted on the solar electric side of the disconnection
means. Section C, the disconnection means should be located
in a readily accessible location, preferably near the points of
building entrance, be marked as a solar electric system discon-