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Code Compliance Question

BrendanK

BrendanK

New Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2023
Messages
75
Location
Utah
Hi, all! I am building a 100% off-grid home in a county that says they have adopted the "National Electric Code" for their building permitting and inspection.
I am going to build the "complete 48V off grid system" that Will outlines here with 2 EG4 6500EX inverters, PV disconnects, circuit breakers and busbars.
Although I should have looked into this earlier before buying all the equipment, the system SHOULD be compliant as long as all of the safety features are in place, correct?
What are some things to keep in mind when I'm getting ready to do my inspection?
 
The authority having jurisdiction may have requirements in excess of whatever NEC has been adopted. I haven't seen the design you reference but there are a LOT of nuances in requirements. You may want an electrician experienced with solar to check the design.

Are you certain you are subject to inspection?

I've seen and heard of horror stories involving conductor sizing, over current protection sizing, grounding, general workmanship, etc. If you're subject to inspection you generally won't get far arguing with the inspector who actually may know less about it than you.

All that being said, often systems that are not compliant are "safe", but then there are those that aren't that result in a structure fire.
 
What year NEC?
Roof Mounted panels?
Battery Bank?
Where will the Inverter/Equipment be Located?
Will High Voltage DC enter the primary dwelling?
Does the local Fire Department have additional restrictions?
 
Zapper77 said:
What year NEC?
Roof Mounted panels?
Battery Bank?
Where will the Inverter/Equipment be Located?
Will High Voltage DC enter the primary dwelling?
Does the local Fire Department have additional restrictions?
Click to expand...
Their website does not reference a specific year of NEC.
Yes, roof mounted panels.
Both structures will have roof mounted panels as well as battery banks.
There is a utility room in the main house and a garage space below the studio where the equipment will be housed.
No voltage will enter either structure aside from PV, if that's what you mean...
The local fire department does not have any restrictions as far as I have seen.
 
BrendanK said:
Their website does not reference a specific year of NEC.
Yes, roof mounted panels.
Both structures will have roof mounted panels as well as battery banks.
There is a utility room in the main house and a garage space below the studio where the equipment will be housed.
No voltage will enter either structure aside from PV, if that's what you mean...
The local fire department does not have any restrictions as far as I have seen.
Click to expand...

 
DIYrich said:
UL 9540 for the batteries?
Click to expand...

When a new version of code is adopted by a state, generally it would be for all changes. So yes NEC 9540, which most of the US is now following.

The days of build your own ESS is quickly coming to an end for most States.

www.ul.com

UL 9540 Energy Storage System (ESS) Requirements - Evolving to Meet Industry and Regulatory Needs

In recent years, installation codes and standards have been updated to address modern energy storage applications which often use new energy storage technologies.
www.ul.com www.ul.com
 
BrendanK said:
Hi, all! I am building a 100% off-grid home in a county that says they have adopted the "National Electric Code" for their building permitting and inspection.
I am going to build the "complete 48V off grid system" that Will outlines here with 2 EG4 6500EX inverters, PV disconnects, circuit breakers and busbars.
Although I should have looked into this earlier before buying all the equipment, the system SHOULD be compliant as long as all of the safety features are in place, correct?
What are some things to keep in mind when I'm getting ready to do my inspection?
Click to expand...
Will's systems and most youtubers are not code compliant.. Most places will have to meet UL 9520 2nd edition 2020 for the ESS (tested as a system) . I am also finding a lot of the batteries are claiming that they are "certified as UL9540 with "X" model inverters"... but they are not stating WHICH year/edition of UL9540 . Once I look it up so far it's the 2016 edition... which allowed using separately certified inverters and batteries to be used together.... pretty deceptive marketing. If you look under the CEC (California Energy Commission) Solar Equipment lists, select Energy storage systems and "Download Excel File).... I am not sure how up to date that list is... because I think Kilovault xw pro/solark does have the cert 2020 UL9540 but can't find it on the CEC "ESS" list.
 
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