Code Change Summary: Revised language on the location and control of a PV equipment disconnecting means.

Section 690.15 is all about the disconnecting means for isolating PV equipment.

Depending on the application, some PV system equipment requires a disconnecting means while other types of PV equipment is permitted to be isolated without requiring all conductors of the circuit to be simultaneously disconnected.

In the 2023 NEC^®, Section 690.15 was restructured resulting in the disconnection location rules previously in 690.15(A) trading places with the language on the type of disconnect previously in 690.15(D).

Additionally, the previous rule specifying a 10-foot maximum distance between the equipment and the disconnect has been revised to require the disconnect to be “in sight from” (as defined in Article 100) and “readily accessible” (also defined in Article 100) from the equipment for those to whom access is required. Without incorporating both defined terms into the code change, a PV equipment disconnect could have been readily accessible without being within sight or vise versa.

According to the defined terms in Article 100, equipment that is visible and not more than 50 feet distant from other equipment is in sight from that other equipment. Equipment that is readily accessible is capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to take actions such as to use tools (other than keys), to climb over or under, to remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.

To be “in sight from”, and at the same time “readily accessible from the equipment for those to whom access is required”, means the disconnect should be visible and not further than 50 feet away, and readily accessible while servicing the equipment without the need to go to a different level or behind a fence to access the disconnecting means.

The following is a summary of the 2023 changes in 690.15(D):

Isolating devices or equipment disconnecting means shall be one or more of the following:

(1) Located within the equipment

(2) Located in sight from and readily accessible from the equipment for those to whom access is required

(3) Lockable in accordance with 110.25

(4) Provided with remote controls to activate the disconnecting means where the remote controls comply with one of the following:

a. The disconnecting means and their controls are located within the same equipment.

b. The disconnecting means is lockable in accordance with 110.25, and the location of the controls are marked on the disconnecting means

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.