Rapid Shutdown Solar Panels Requirements

Rapid shutdown is a simple to intall low cost rapid shut down systems designed to work with 2014 as well as 2017 nec from sol ark.

Rapid shutdown solar panels requirements.

In all the discussions i see about the issue of rapid shutdown the focus of attention is on the array and mleps. Nec 2014 pv rapid shutdown requirements were added to nec 2014 690 12 to improve electrical and fire safety hazards for first responders. It is against metropolitan and municipal fire code for solar systems connected to the grid to stay turned on when the grid is down which demands the need for a rapid shut down mechanism in solar panels. This requirement is called a rapid shutdown.

Rapid shutdown gives the firefighters a way to also shut down the dc power from the solar array to the inverter. In the article above the actual trigger for this shutdown is assumed to be the main breaker but unless your service panel and main breaker are on the outside wall of your house near your meter this will not meet the requirements for rapid shutdown nec 2017 that go into effect on. In 2014 it could shut it down to the area up to 10 from the solar array and more than 5 of entering a building. Nec 2017 also requires that products designed for rapid shutdown be listed according to a relevant industry test standard such as ul 1741.