PV SYSTEMS AND THE 2008/2011/2014 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
By
John Wiles
Southwest Technology Development Institute
New Mexico State University
The following outline is adjusted during the presentation to meet the needs of the
audience.
Background/Introductions (20 minutes)
Audience Introductions by groups attending
SWRES engineering services and training programs
PV Systems Design to meet NEC requirements (45-60 minutes)
PV and the NEC (5-6 hours)
Conductors (NEC CH 2, 3, 6: Art 215, Art 310, Art 690)
Types and sizing
Overcurrent and Disconnect Devices (NEC CH 2, 6:Art 240, Art 690)
Types and ratings
2014 NEC Changes to 690.13 to 690.15
2014 NEC Rapid Shutdown System
Grounding (NEC Art 250, Art 690)
Terminology and applications
2014 NEC changes to AFCI and GFCI requirements
Utility-Interactive Systems (NEC CH 2, 6, 7: Art 230, Art 690, art 705)
Point of Connection Issues
2014 NEC changes to 705.12(D)
Summary: Picture Tour of the author’s PV-Powered Home (20 minutes)
Summary (5 minutes)
Q & A (as time permits)
Biographical Sketch
John Wiles retired in April 2013 as a Senior Research Engineer at the Southwest Technology
Development Institute at New Mexico State University. However works as 25% employee
and continues to assist the PV industry, electrical contractors, electrical inspectors, and
purchasing agencies in understanding the PV requirements of the National Electrical Code
(NEC). John serves as Secretary for the PV Industry Forum involved with Article 690 of the
NEC. Over 30 submissions were accepted for the 2011 NEC and 55 proposals were submitted
for the 2014 Code. He drafted the text for Article 690 in the 2005 NEC Handbook and 2008 NEC
Handbook. Fieldwork involves balance of systems design for PV systems, inspections and
acceptance testing of PV systems, test and evaluation of PV components, and the design and
installation of data acquisition systems. He bought his first codebook in 1960 and installed
his first PV system in 1984. He lived in an off-grid, PV/wind-powered home (permitted and
inspected, of course) with his wife Patti, two dogs, and a cat for more than 16 years. His
retirement home currently has a 7.5 kW utility-interactive PV system will full-house battery
backup and now has three dogs and two cats. He has a Master of Science Degree in Electrical
Engineering.