690.12(C) Rapid Shutdown Initiation Device.

For one-family and two-family dwellings, the rapid shutdown initiation device shall be located at a readily accessible location outside the building.
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For one-family and two-family dwellings, the rapid shutdown initiation device shall be located at a readily accessible location outside the building.

Code Change Summary: A new code section was added to address Rapid Shutdown initiation.

Rapid Shutdown can only occur when the designated switch or rapid shutdown initiation device is triggered. In the 2014 NEC®, there were no requirements as to where the rapid shutdown switch must be located. It can be difficult to initiate rapid shutdown if nobody can find the rapid shutdown switch.

In the 2017 NEC®, the rules for rapid shutdown initiation were clarified with the addition of NEC® 690.12(C). This new subsection requires the initiation device to have a marked “off” position. The switch in the off position indicates that the rapid shutdown function has been initiated.

As well, for one-family and two-family dwellings, the initiation device must be located at a readily accessible location outside the building and consist of at least one of the following:

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 2017 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2017 Code Language:

690.12

N (C) Initiation Device. The initiation device(s) shall initiate the rapid shutdown function of the PV system. The device “off” position shall indicate that the rapid shutdown function has been initiated for all PV systems connected to that device. For one-family and two-family dwellings, an initiation device(s) shall be located at a readily accessible location outside the building.

The rapid shutdown initiation device(s) shall consist of at least one of the following:

(1) Service disconnecting means

(2) PV system disconnecting means

(3) Readily accessible switch that plainly indicates whether it is in the “off” or “on” position

Where multiple PV systems are installed with rapid shutdown functions on a single service, the initiation device(s) shall consist of not more than six switches or six sets of circuit breakers, or a combination of not more than six switches and sets of circuit breakers, mounted in a single enclosure, or in a group of separate enclosures. These initiation device(s) shall initiate the rapid shutdown of all PV systems with rapid shutdown functions on that service. Where auxiliary initiation devices are installed, these auxiliary devices shall control all PV systems with rapid shutdown functions on that service.

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690.12(C) Rapid Shutdown Initiation Device.

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

Which of the following is required for a rapid shutdown initiation device?

A: A service disconnect is NOT permitted to serve as a rapid shutdown initiation device.
B: A PV system disconnecting means is NOT permitted to serve as a rapid shutdown initiation device.
C: The switch in the on position indicates that the rapid shutdown function is operational.
D: The switch in the off position indicates that the rapid shutdown function has been initiated for all PV systems connected to that device.
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