Besides the NEC/CEC rules, every electrical appliance requires a Part 2 product standard certification if it operates at either 120V or 240V (AC). If safety is a consideration, this requirement also applies to appliances of lower voltage, such as battery power tools.

Safety agencies like the Canadian Standards Association or the US Underwriters Laboratories are charged with maintaining fire and electrical safety standards for household appliances. A new product design needs to be extensively tested by these or similar agencies. Certified products meet all safety requirements and electrical inspectors can confirm this along with checking for proper installation.

All legitimate manufacturers test their products against these standards and use the approval seal from an authorized testing laboratory. Always check for the seal before purchasing a product: it is a sign of safety and quality.

You will need to get a permit for your wiring which authorizes you to:

• Do the necessary electrical wiring as required by NEC/CEC codes or applicable local ordinances.
• Install only properly certified electrical equipment. Every device requires a certification seal from an approval agency like UL or CSA.
• Submit wiring plans, certification proofs, engineering documentation or technical documentation to the inspection authority to understand your renewable energy system.

The local inspection authority requires written notification of inspection of your renewable energy system. You should not cover up any wiring work (including backfilling trenches) until the inspection is completed and an authorization approval certificate is granted by the local inspector.

The inspector may ask you many questions to better understand your system and may seem to work against you. Renewable energy systems are not mainstream technology, so some inspectors are unfamiliar with parts of the system. You might want to hire professionals who are well-versed in such systems to discuss the details with your inspector.

The role of the electrical inspector is to review the system design and installation while checking valid certification marks on connected appliances. There may be components without certification on the market but all the products in your system must have them to pass inspection. Check for them before purchasing any component to ensure proper compliance. Should a required product not have the necessary certification mark, you must discuss it with your local inspection authority before purchasing. Perhaps a certified product is available at a higher cost or it could be that a site field inspection requires an extra fee.

CAUTION!
Code rules may change or be updated from time to time and from place to place: NFPA 70 is updated every three years and local authorities generally put the new rules into practise within a year or two of its publication. This site's information is a guide which helps you to discuss details with both your electrician and local inspection authority before installation begins.