ABSTRACT
Photovoltaic (PV) source and output circuits get their voltage directly from series connected solar cells. The National Electric Code (NEC) will consider two factors that increase PV source and output circuit voltage. PV system currents are more complicated than currents in circuits most electricians are used to dealing with. This is because we have some circuit currents that increase with the brightness of light and other circuit currents that are limited by smart electronics. PV output circuit currents are the sum of the parallel-connected PV source circuit currents. PV system dc circuit and ac inverter output conductors and equipment shall be protected against over current. PV systems that are not on or in buildings, PV output circuits and dc-to-dc converter output circuits that are direct buried, in metallic raceways or in enclosed metallic cable trays are permitted without arc-fault circuit protection.
