2020 NEC PV, Energy Storage, Building and Fire Codes
About this course
In this class, Sean White and Bill Brooks explain the NEC in a way that is as fun as possible for a large, very technical book. This course is jam-packed with NEC insight, interpretation, and comparison to past versions. It is an excellent way to understand how the NEC applies to Solar + Storage.
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Course outline
5 modules • 100 assignments • 19:47 hours of video lectures
Welcome • 8 assignments
Orientation Materials
This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.
- Intro to Course (02:42 minutes)
- 2017 NEC Free Download and 2020 NEC Free Access
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Books and resources
- Live Online Proctoring (LOP) for All NABCEP Exams!
- Connect with your instructor Sean on LinkedIn
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
- Updating Course Material
Module 1 • 35 assignments
NEC Overview
Before we dive deep into NEC articles specific to PV and ESS, we are going to get more familiar with the rest of the NEC, from a PV and ESS point of view.
- Module 1 Organization
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 1: Memory Techniques (05:45 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 2: NEC Articles 100 Definitions and 110 Requirements for Electrical Installations (10:12 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 3: NEC Articles 200-250 including 230 Services, 240 Overcurrent Protection and 250 Grounding and Bonding (10:11 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 4: NEC Chapter 3 Wiring Methods and Materials, including the 310 Tables and different Articles on installing Conduits, such as EMT or Cables (11:09 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 5: NEC Chapters 4, 5 & 6. 4 is Equipment for General Use and includes 480 Storage Batteries, 5 is Special Occupancies and 6 is Special Equipment and includes 690 PV! (20:50 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize - Video 6: NEC Chapter 7 Video 1 of 2 including Articles 705 Interconnections, 706 Energy Storage Systems and 710 Stand-Alone Systems (23:32 minutes) Preview
- Memorize and Familiarize - Video 7 NEC Chapter 7 Video 2 of 2, including Articles 710 Stand Alone Systems and 712 DC Microgrids (24:26 minutes) Preview
- Memorize and Familiarize - Video 8: NEC Chapter 9 Tables and Annex C Conduit and Tubing Fill Tables for Conductors and Fixture Wires of the Same Size (08:26 minutes)
- NEC Article 100 Definitions Part 1 (29:57 minutes)
- NEC Article 100 Definitions Part 2 (16:35 minutes)
- NEC Article 100 Definitions Part 3 (17:55 minutes)
- NEC Article 110 Requirements for Electrical Installations Part 1 (19:39 minutes) Preview
- NEC Article 110 Requirements for Electrical Installations Part 2 (19:49 minutes)
- NEC Article 200 Grounded Conductors Part 1 (16:40 minutes)
- NEC Article 200 Grounded Conductors Part 2 (16:44 minutes)
- NEC Articles 210 Branch Circuits, 215 Feeders and 230 Services (20:47 minutes)
- NEC Article 240 Overcurrent Protection Part 1 (22:47 minutes)
- NEC Article 240 Overcurrent Protection Part 2 (19:51 minutes)
- NEC Article 250 Grounding and Bonding Part 1 (26:36 minutes) Preview
- NEC Article 250 Grounding and Bonding Part 2 (21:14 minutes)
- NEC Article 300 General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials Part 1 (15:06 minutes)
- NEC Article 300 General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials Part 2 (21:46 minutes)
- NEC Article 310 Conductors for General Wiring Part 1 (14:57 minutes) Preview
- NEC Article 310 Conductors for General Wiring Part 2 (18:53 minutes)
- NEC Article 310 Conductors for General Wiring Part 3 (21:11 minutes)
- 320 to 358 Common Wiring Methods like EMT Part 1 (15:19 minutes)
- 320 to 358 Common Wiring Methods like EMT Part 2 (17:27 minutes)
- NEC Chapter 4 Featuring Article 480! Part 1 (16:59 minutes)
- NEC Chapter 4 Featuring Article 480! Part 2 (17:11 minutes)
- NEC Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8 (10:42 minutes)
- NEC Chapter 9 Tables Part 1 (28:19 minutes)
- NEC Chapter 9 Tables Part 2 (19:32 minutes)
- NEC Chapter 9 Tables Part 3 (15:09 minutes)
- Informational Annexes (11:08 minutes)
Module 2 • 21 assignments
NEC Article 690 PV Systems
Article 690 was first put into the NEC in 1984.
- 2017 Versus 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC)
- Read NEC Article 690 PV Systems
- Audio 2020 NEC Article 690 Reading - Radio 690! (.m4a)
- 2020 NEC Video 1 Intro and what defines a PV system (15:00 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 2, AC and DC Coupling, 690.2 definitions (15:43 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 3 Voltage (15:55 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 4 Bifacial, Solsmart Permit Process, Voltage Irradiance and Temp. (15:11 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 5 690.8 Current! (16:31 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 6 690.8 and 690.8(A)(2) Circuits Connected to Electronic Power Converters (19:51 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 7 690.9 Overcurrent Protection (13:32 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 8 Wire Sizing (15:59 minutes)
- NEC Video 9 - 690.10 Stand-Alone Systems and 690.11 DC Arc-Fault Protection (02:15 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on Rapid Shutdown Part 1 Outside of the Array Boundary (14:50 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on Rapid Shutdown Part 2 inside of the Array Boundary (20:07 minutes)
- News: 690.12(B)(2)(1) Rapid Shutdown UL Listing
- 690 Part III Disconnecting Means (10:05 minutes)
- 690 Part IV Wiring Methods (08:52 minutes)
- 690 Part V Grounding and Bonding Part 1 (19:20 minutes)
- 690 Part V Grounding and Bonding Part 2 (05:16 minutes)
- 690 Part VI to End of Article 690 (02:32 minutes)
- 691 Large-Scale Photovoltaic (04:18 minutes)
Module 3 • 17 assignments
Module 3 Energy Storage Systems (706) and Interconnections (705)
Article 706 ESS was new in the 2017 NEC and much of it came out of Article 690. It was originally meant to replace Article 480 Storage Batteries, however 480 was kept in the NEC. Article 690 points us to 706 when using energy storage systems and not 480. Different AHJs interpret this differently and the NEC can sometimes contradict itself as we will learn. Article 705 Interconnected Power Production Sources is very important for both PV and ESS and is definitely a part of the NABCEP certification exams.exam.
- Bill Brooks talks Energy Storage Systems Part 1 (22:29 minutes) Preview
- Bill Brooks talks Energy Storage Systems Part 2 (10:56 minutes)
- Bill Brooks talks Storage Batteries Article 480 (03:24 minutes)
- 2020 National Electrical Code 706 With Bill Brooks Part 1 (20:04 minutes)
- 2020 National Electrical Code 706 With Bill Brooks Part 2 (17:26 minutes)
- Bill Brooks talks EV Power Transfer Station (EV charging and EV to Grid) (05:38 minutes)
- Bill gets excited talking about 705.13 Power Control Systems (08:16 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 1 Supply and Load Side Connections (07:44 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 2 with ESS Implications and Markets (11:49 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 3 More 705.13 PCS and MIDs (08:03 minutes)
- More EV to Grid-Full Circle with Bill Brooks (07:13 minutes) Preview
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 4 Supply-Side Connections and Microgrids (10:11 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 5 Wire Sizing and Supply-Side Connections (05:50 minutes) Preview
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 6 Load-Side Connections (25:54 minutes)
- 2017 NEC Video 12 - 705 Interconnected Power Production Sources Part 1 (25:51 minutes)
- 2017 NEC Video 12 - 705 Interconnected Power Production Sources Part 2 (20:46 minutes)
- NEC Update for IPCs effective 1/1/23 even for the 2020 NEC.
Module 4 • 12 assignments
More NEC and some Building Codes
Here we have some extras.
- Answer to Question on Connecting PV System to a Split Bus Panel (10:59 minutes)
- Code-Compliant Conductor Sizing - SolarPro (PDF) (.pdf)
- Code Compliant Conductor Sizing: a 2021 take on a 2011 SolarPro Article Part 1 (16:41 minutes)
- Code Compliant Conductor Sizing: a 2021 take on a 2011 SolarPro Article Part 2 (18:55 minutes)
- Wire Sizing (Chapter 12 PV and the NEC) (.pdf)
- Building and Fire Codes with Bill Brooks Part 1- 2020 NFPA 855 Energy Storage Systems, IRC, IBC, IFC, NFPA 1, ICC (08:41 minutes) Preview
- Building and Fire Codes with Bill Brooks Part 2 Roof Setbacks (30:55 minutes)
- Building and Fire Codes with Bill Brooks Part 3 The ICC i-codes (13:50 minutes)
- PV UL Listing 1703 transitioned to UL 61730 (.pdf)
- UL PV Listing 61730 replacing UL 1703 for making the test work around the world and UL 3741 listing for Rapid Shutdown (Hazard Control Systems) with Bill Brooks PE (12:08 minutes)
- UL 3741 Rapid Shutdown solution where the PV array can stay up to 1000V using SMA inverters with Sollega or Ironridge racks! (16:53 minutes)
- Grounding electrode schemes and transformers with emphasis on utility-scale (double advanced topic). (21:27 minutes)
Module 5 • 3 assignments
2020 NEC Practice Exam
The assignment following this practice exam is a pdf download with answers and detailed explanations for each exam question. It is a great study tool, plus if you are puzzled about a question, the explanation is here! Sometimes the explanation is 2 pages long, so there is great study material here. It is not cheating if you want to look at the answers first. This is all for you!
- Discussion Board Request from Sean and Notes on Posting Discussion Board Questions
- 2020 NEC Exam
- 2020 NEC Exam Answers with Detailed Explanations (.pdf)
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Continuing Education Units
Approved for the following CEUs
- NABCEP Advanced Credit Hours
- NABCEP NEC
- NABCEP JTA
- NABCEP RE Elective
- NABCEP Building or Fire Code
- NABCEP PV Associate Renewal
Approved NABCEP CEU Hours
| NABCEP Credential | Advanced Hours for Exam | Recertification CEU Hours | NEC | JTA | RE Elective | Building or Fire Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 2 | |
| 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 2 | |
| 22 | 24 | 22 | 0 | 24 | 2 | |
| 22 | 24 | 22 | 0 | 24 | 2 | |
| 12 | 24 | 22 | 0 | 24 | 2 | |
| 22 | 24 | 22 | 0 | 24 | 2 | |
| 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NABCEP Registered Provider
This course counts towards the training requirements for taking NABCEP professional certification exams and CEUs for renewing all certifications.
Instructors
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View profileSean White
2014 IREC Trainer of the Year, HeatSpring / White House Energy Inc. / Sean White Solar / Norcal SolarSean White was the 2014 Interstate Renewable Energy Council Trainer of the Year. He is an IREC Certified Solar PV Master Trainer and has authored several books on solar. He contributed to the development of the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis and has been a member of the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Technical Committee. Sean is a... Learn more
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Bill Brooks PE, of Brooks Engineering LLC, has over 30 years of experience designing, installing, and evaluating grid-connected PV systems. More than 12,000 installers and inspectors have attended his courses throughout the U.S. and abroad. His field troubleshooting skills have been valuable in determining where problems occur to focus training on those issues of... Learn more
