C22.2 No. 290-15

Photovoltaic combiners

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  C22.2 No. 290-15

  December 2015

  
  

  Title: Photovoltaic combiners

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  C22.2 No. 290-15

  Photovoltaic combiners

  
  

  
  

  
  

  TM

  
  

  Published in December 2015 by CSA Group A not-for-profit private sector organization

  178 Rexdale Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9W 1R3

  
  

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  ISBN 978-1-77139-925-8

  
  

  © 2015 CSA Group

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the prior permission of the publisher.

  
  

  C22.2 No. 290-15

  Photovoltaic combiners

  
  

  Contents

  Technical Committee on Industrial Products 3

  
  

  Working Group 290 on Photovoltaic Combiners — C22.2 No. 290 5

  
  

  Preface 6

  
  

  1. Scope 7

     
     

  2. Reference publications 7

     
     

  3. Definitions and abbreviations 9

     1. Definitions 9

     2. Abbreviations 10

        
        

  4. Construction 10

     1. General 10

     2. Disconnecting means 10

     3. Enclosures 11

     4. Openings in enclosures 12

     5. Bases 13

     6. Fastening and support of current-carrying parts 13

     7. Bus bars 14

     8. Wiring terminals 15

     9. Wiring terminal kits 16

     10. Combiners rated for high voltage 16

     11. Electrical spacings 17

         1. General 17

         2. Electrical spacings for equipment rated up to 600 V ac or 848.5 V peak or dc 17

         3. Electrical spacings for equipment rated above 600 V ac or 848.5 V peak or dc 18

     12. Alternate approach to spacings 19

         1. General 19

         2. Overvoltage category (OVC) 19

         3. Surge suppression 19

         4. Pollution degree (PD) 19

         5. Instructions 20

     13. Wiring space and wire bending space 20

     14. Conduit entry clearance requirements 20

     15. Separation of circuits 21

     16. External signal, control, and communication circuits 22

     17. Equipment bonding 23

     18. Common connection bus bar 23

     19. Switching devices 23

     20. Conductor identification 24

         
         

  5. Marking 24

     
     

  6. Tests 28

     
     

     December 2015

     © 2015 CSA Group

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     C22.2 No. 290-15

     Photovoltaic combiners

     
     

     1. Temperature tests 28

     2. Dielectric strength test 31

     3. Heat cycling test for joints in current-carrying parts 32

     4. Flammability test 32

     5. Moisture absorption test 33

     6. Deflection test (metal enclosures) 33

     7. Impact test (polymeric enclosures) 33

     8. Impulse test 34

        
        

  7. Auxiliary equipment for combiner boxes 35

Annex A (normative) — French translations of cautions, warnings, and safety instructions 44

Annex B (informative) — Sample nameplates 45

Technical Committee on Industrial Products

Working Group 290 on Photovoltaic Combiners — C22.2 No. 290

Preface

This is the first edition of C22.2 No. 290, Photovoltaic combiners, one of a series of Standards issued by CSA Group under Part II of the Canadian Electrical Code.

For general information on the Standards of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part II, see the Preface of CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 0, General Requirements — Canadian Electrical Code, Part II.

This Standard is considered suitable for use for conformity assessment within the stated scope of the Standard.

This Standard was prepared by the Working Group on Photovoltaic Combiners, under the jurisdiction of the Integrated Committee on Photovoltaics, the Technical Committee on Industrial Products, and the Strategic Steering Committee on Requirements for Electrical Safety, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.

Interpretations: The Strategic Steering Committee on Requirements for Electrical Safety has provided the following direction for the interpretation of standards under its jurisdiction: “The literal text shall be used in judging compliance of products with the safety requirements of this Standard. When the literal text cannot be applied to the product, such as for new materials or construction, and when a relevant CSA committee interpretation has not already been published, CSA Group’s procedures for interpretation shall be followed to determine the intended safety principle.”

Notes:

1. Use of the singular does not exclude the plural (and vice versa) when the sense allows.

2. Although the intended primary application of this Standard is stated in its Scope, it is important to note that it remains the responsibility of the users of the Standard to judge its suitability for their particular purpose.

3. This Standard was developed by consensus, which is defined by CSA Policy governing standardization — Code of good practice for standardization as “substantial agreement. Consensus implies much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity”. It is consistent with this definition that a member may be included in the Technical Committee list and yet not be in full agreement with all clauses of this Standard.

4. To submit a request for interpretation of this Standard, please send the following information to

   inquiries@csagroup.org and include “Request for interpretation” in the subject line:

   1. define the problem, making reference to the specific clause, and, where appropriate, include an illustrative sketch;

   2. provide an explanation of circumstances surrounding the actual field condition; and

   3. where possible, phrase the request in such a way that a specific “yes” or “no” answer will address the issue.

      Committee interpretations are processed in accordance with the CSA Directives and guidelines governing standardization and are available on the Current Standards Activities page at standardsactivities.csa.ca.

5. This Standard is subject to review five years from the date of publication. Suggestions for its improvement will be referred to the appropriate committee. To submit a proposal for change, please send the following information to inquiries@csagroup.org and include “Proposal for change” in the subject line:

   1. Standard designation (number);

   2. relevant clause, table, and/or figure number;

   3. wording of the proposed change;

   4. rationale for the change.

C22.2 No. 290-15

Photovoltaic combiners

1. Scope

   
   

   1.1

   This Standard applies to photovoltaic combiners rated up to 2000 V dc or 750 V ac, for use on photovoltaic (PV) systems installed in nonhazardous locations in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.

   
   

   1.2

   Combiners for use in photovoltaic systems that are ungrounded, positive grounded, and/or negative grounded are within the scope of this Standard.

   
   

   1.3

   This Standard does not cover panelboards, switchgear assemblies, and switchboards as covered by CSA C22.2 No. 29, CSA C22.2 No. 31, and CSA C22.2 No. 244.

   
   

   1.4

   In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

   Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

   
   

   Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

   
   

   Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

   
   

2. Reference publications

This Standard refers to the following publications, and where such reference is made, it shall be to the edition listed below, including all amendments published thereto.

CSA Group

B19.2-1965

Helical spring washers

C22.1-15

Canadian Electrical Code, Part I