Code Change Summary: Changes were made to clarify that the conductors on the line side of the power source service disconnecting means are service conductors.

For many code cycles there have been disagreements about what to call the conductors from a connection on the line side of the service disconnect to the first means of disconnect for an interconnected power production source such as a utility interactive PV system.

Technically, these connections to the service conductors on the line side of any overcurrent protection are somewhat of an extension of the service conductors but there has been hesitance among experts to label them as “service conductors” for fear of industry misapplication of other NEC^® rules pertaining to service conductors and the grouping of service disconnects.

In the 2023 NEC^®, Section 705.11 was renamed from “Supply-Side Source Connections” to “Source Connections to a Service”. The remaining text in 705.11(A) through (F) was revised to make it clear that the conductors connected between the line side of the service disconnect and the line side of an interconnected power production source disconnecting means are in fact “service conductors” and terminate to a “power production source service disconnecting means” as mentioned in 705.11(B)(2).

Careful language was chosen in 705.11(A) to make it clear that adding a “power production source service disconnecting means” does not count against the six permitted service disconnects in 230.71(B). The conductors of a line side connection to service conductors for an interconnected power source are allowed by 230.40 exception 5 and 230.71(B) to establish a separate independent set of up to 6 disconnects for each set of service entrance conductors.

The revised code language in 705.11(A) now covers “Service Connections” and permits an electric power production source to be connected to a service by one of the following methods:

(1) To a new service in accordance with 230.2(A)

(2) To the supply side of the service disconnecting means in accordance with 230.82(6)

(3) To an additional set of service entrance conductors in accordance with 230.40, Exception No. 5

The three connections mentioned above must comply with 705.11(B) through (F).

 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.