BOTH THE LINE
AND LOAD SIDES MAY BE ENERGIZED
IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Exception: A connector shall be permitted to be used as an ac or a dc disconnecting means, provided that it complies with the requirements of 690.33 and is listed and identified for the use.
690.18 Installation and Service of an Array. Open cir cuiting, short circuiting, or opaque covering shall be used to disable an array or portions of an array for installation and service.
FPN: Photovoltaic modules are energized while exposed to light. Installation, replacement, or servicing of array components while a module(s) is irradiated may expose persons to electric shock.
IV. Wiring Methods
690.31 Methods Permitted.
(A) Wiring Systems. All raceway and cable wiring meth- ods included in this Code and other wiring systems and fittings specifically intended and identified for use on photovoltaic arrays shall be permitted. Where wiring devices with integral enclosures are used, sufficient length of cable shall be provided to facilitate replacement.
Where photovoltaic source and output circuits operating at maximum system voltages greater than 30 volts are installed in readily accessible locations, circuit conductors shall be installed in a raceway.
FPN: Photovoltaic modules operate at elevated temperatures when exposed to high ambient temperatures and to bright sunlight. These temperatures may routinely exceed 70°C (158°F) in many locations. Module interconnection conductors are available with insulation rated for wet locations and a temperature rating of 90°C (194°F) or greater.
(B) Single-Conductor Cable. Single-conductor cable type USE-2, and single-conductor cable listed and labeled as photovoltaic (PV) wire shall be permitted in exposed out door locations in photovoltaic source circuits for photovoltaic module interconnections within the photovoltaic array.
Exception: Raceways shall be used when required by
690.31(A).
(C) Flexible Cords and Cables. Flexible cords and cables, where used to connect the moving parts of tracking PV modules, shall comply with Article 400 and shall be of a type identified as a hard service cord or portable power cable; they shall be suitable for extra- hard usage, listed for outdoor use, water resistant, and sunlight resistant. Allowable ampacities shall be in accordance with 400.5. For ambient temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F), the ampacities shall be derated by the appropriate factors given in Table 690.31(C).
Table 690.31(C) Correction Factors
Ambient
Temperature
(°C)
Temperature Rating of Conductor Ambient
60°C (140°F) 75°C (167°F) 90°C (194°F) 105°C (221°F) Temperature
30 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 86
31-35 0.91 0.94 0.96 0.97 87-95
36-40 0.82 0.88 0.91 0.93 96-104
41-45 0.71 0.82 0.87 0.89 105-113
46-50 0.58 0.75 0.82 0.86 114-122
51-55 0.41 0.67 0.76 0.82 123-131
56-60 — 0.58 0.71 0.77 132-140
61-70 — 0.33 0.58 0.68 141-158
71-80 — — 0.41 0.58 159-176
(D) Small-Conductor Cables. Single-conductor cables listed for outdoor use that are sunlight resistant and moisture resistant in sizes 16 AWG and 18 AWG shall be permitted for module interconnections where such cables meet the ampacity requirements of 690.8. Section 310.15 shall be used to determine the cable ampacity and temperature derating factors.