Figure 690.1.

A PV DC Circuit (as used in Article 690) includes any dc conductor in PV source circuits, PV string circuits, and PV dc-to-dc converter circuits.
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A PV DC Circuit (as used in Article 690) includes any dc conductor in PV source circuits, PV string circuits, and PV dc-to-dc converter circuits.

Code Change Summary: New Figure 690.1 illustrations of typical PV systems.

In the 2023 NEC®, several illustrations in Section 690.1 were consolidated and revised as a result of deleting the terms “DC-to-DC Converter Source Circuit”, “DC-to-DC-Converter Output Circuit”, and “PV Output Circuit” from Article 690.

In past editions of the NEC®, even though DC-to-DC Converter Source Circuits, DC-to-DC-Converter Output Circuits, PV Output Circuits, and PV Source Circuits were all PV DC Circuits, they each had different definitions which could be used to delineate between them very precisely.

The proposal to consolidate PV system DC circuit terminology was based on several public inputs suggesting the existing definitions caused confusion among inspectors, installers, and system designers. Many requirements in Article 690 were based on the previous terms and redundant language was used in Article 690 when the same requirements applied to PV DC circuits with different technical names.

In the 2023 NEC®, the terms “DC-to-DC Converter Output Circuit”, “DC-to-DC-Converter Source Circuit”, and “PV Output Circuit” previously in 690.2 were deleted and are now included in the Article 100 definition of a PV DC Circuit (PV System DC Circuit). A PV DC Circuit (as used in Article 690) includes any dc conductor in PV source circuits, PV string circuits, and PV dc-to-dc converter circuits.

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.

2020 Code Language:

690.2 Definitions.

DC-to-DC Converter Output Circuit. The dc circuit conductors connected to the output of a dc combiner for dc-to-dc converter source circuits.

DC-to-DC Converter Source Circuit. Circuits between dc-to-dc converters and from dc-to-dc converters to the common connection point(s) of the dc system.

PV Output Circuit. The dc circuit conductors from two or more connected PV source circuits to their point of termination.

2023 Code Language:

Article 100 Definitions.

N PV DC Circuit (PV System DC Circuit). Any dc conductor in PV source circuits, PV string circuits, and PV dc-to-dc converter circuits. (690)

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Figure 690.1.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2023 NEC, which of the following is true?

A: PV DC Circuits only include PV Source Circuits.
B: A PV System DC Circuit (as used in Article 690) includes any dc conductor in PV source circuits, PV string circuits, and PV dc-to-dc converter circuits.
C: PV DC Circuits only include PV String Circuits.
D: PV DC Circuits only include PV dc-to-dc converter Circuits.
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