Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-45.3 - Technical standards
The technical standard to be used in evaluating interconnection requests governed by this chapter is IEEE Standard 1547, unless otherwise noted.
(1)
Acceptable standards. The interconnection of distributed
generation facilities and associated interconnection equipment to an electric
utility system shall meet the applicable provisions of the publications listed
below:
a. Standard for Interconnection and
Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources and Associated Electric Power
System Interfaces, IEEE Standard 1547. For guidance in applying IEEE Standard
1547, the utility may refer to:
(1) IEEE
Recommended Practices and Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power
Systems-IEEE Standard 519-2014; and
(2) IEC/TR3 61000-3-7 Assessment of Emission
Limits for Fluctuating Loads in MV and HV Power Systems.
b. Iowa Electrical Safety Code, as defined in
199-Chapter 25.
c. National
Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70-2017.
(2)
Interconnection
facilities.
a. A distributed
generation facility placed in service after July 1,2015, is required to have
installed a disconnection device. The disconnection device shall be installed,
owned, and maintained by the owner of the distributed generation facility and
shall be easily visible and adjacent to an interconnection customer's electric
meter at the facility. Disconnection devices are considered easily visible and
adjacent: for a home or business, up to ten feet away from the meter and within
the line of sight of the meter, at a height of 30 inches to 72 inches above
final grade; or for large areas with multiple buildings that require electric
service, up to 3 0 feet away from the meter and within the line of sight of the
meter, at a height of 30 inches to 72 inches above final grade. The
disconnection device shall be labeled with a permanently attached sign with
clearly visible letters that give procedures/directions for disconnecting the
distributed generation facility.
(1) If an
interconnection customer with distributed generation facilities installed prior
to July 1, 2015, adds generation capacity to its existing system that does not
require upgrades to the electric meter or electrical service, a disconnection
device is not required, unless required by the electric utility's tariff. The
customer must notify the electric utility before the generation capacity is
added to the existing system.
(2)
If an interconnection customer with distributed generation facilities installed
prior to July 1, 2015, upgrades or changes its electric service, the new or
modified electric service must meet all current utility electric service rule
requirements.
b. For all
distributed generation installations, the customer shall be required to provide
and place a permanent placard no more than ten feet away from the electric
meter. The placard must be visible from the electric meter. The placard must
clearly identify the presence and location of the disconnection device for the
distributed generation facilities on the property. The placard must be made of
material that is suitable for the environment and must be designed to last for
the duration of the anticipated operating life of the distributed generation
facility. If no disconnection device is present, the placard shall state "no
disconnection device".
If the distributed generation facility is not installed near the electric meter, an additional placard must be placed at the electric meter to provide specific information regarding the distributed generation facility and the disconnection device.
c. The interconnection shall include
overcurrent devices on the facility to automatically disconnect the facility at
all currents that exceed the full-load current rating of the
facility.
d. Distributed generation
facilities with a design capacity of 100 kVA or less must be equipped with
automatic disconnection upon loss of electric utility-supplied
voltage.
e. Those facilities that
produce a terminal voltage prior to the closure of the interconnection shall be
provided with synchronism-check devices to prevent closure of the
interconnection under conditions other than a reasonable degree of
synchronization between the voltages on each side of the interconnection
switch.
(3)
Access. If a disconnection device is required, the operator of
the distributed generation facility, the utility, and emergency personnel shall
have access to the disconnection device at all times. For distributed
generation facilities installed prior to July 1, 2015, an interconnection
customer may elect to provide the utility with access to a disconnection device
that is contained in a building or area that may be unoccupied and locked or
not otherwise accessible to the utility by installing a lockbox provided by the
utility that allows ready access to the disconnection device. The lockbox shall
be in a location determined by the utility, in consultation with the customer,
to be accessible by the utility. The interconnection customer shall permit the
utility to affix a placard in a location of the utility's choosing that
provides instructions to utility operating personnel for accessing the
disconnection device. If the utility needs to isolate the distributed
generation facility, the utility shall not be held liable for any damages
resulting from the actions necessary to isolate the generation
facility.
(4)
Inspections
and testing. The operator of the distributed generation facility shall
adopt a program of inspection and testing of the generator and its
appurtenances and the interconnection facilities in order to determine
necessity for replacement and repair. Such a program shall include all periodic
tests and maintenance prescribed by the manufacturer. If the periodic testing
of interconnection-related protective functions is not specified by the
manufacturer, periodic testing shall occur at least once every five years. All
interconnection-related protective functions shall be periodically tested, and
a system that depends upon a battery for trip power shall be checked and
logged. The operator shall maintain test reports and shall make them available
upon request by the electric utility. Representatives of the utility shall have
access at all reasonable hours to the interconnection equipment specified in
subrule 45.3(2) for inspection and testing with reasonable prior notice to the
applicant.
(5)
Emergency
disconnection. In the event that an electric utility or its customers
experience problems of a type that could be caused by the presence of
alternating currents or voltages with a frequency higher than 60 Hertz, the
utility shall be permitted to open and lock the interconnection switch pending
a complete investigation of the problem. Where the utility believes the
condition creates a hazard to the public or to property, the disconnection may
be made without prior notice. However, the utility shall notify the operator of
the distributed generation facility by written notice and, where possible,
verbal notice as soon as practicable after the disconnections.
(6)
Notification. When the
distributed generation facility is placed in service, owners of interconnected
distributed generation facilities are required to notify local fire departments
via U.S. mail of the location of distributed generation facilities and the
associated disconnection device(s). The owner is required to provide any
information related to the distributed generation facility as reasonably
required by that local fire department including but not limited to:
a. A site map showing property address;
service point from utility company; distributed generation facility and
disconnect location(s); location of rapid shutdown and battery disconnect(s),
if applicable; property owner's or owner's representative's emergency contact
information; utility company's emergency telephone number; and size of the
distributed generation facility.
b.
Information to access the disconnection device.
c. A statement from the owner verifying that
the distributed generation facility was installed in accordance with the
current state-adopted National Electrical Code.
(7)
Disconnections. If an
interconnection customer fails to comply with the foregoing requirements of
rule 199-45.3 (476), the electric utility may require disconnection of the
applicant's distributed generation facility until the facility complies with
rule 199-45.3 (476). The disconnection process shall be specified in individual
electric utility tariffs or in the interconnection agreement. If separate
disconnection of only the distributed generation facility is not feasible or
safe, the customer's electric service may be disconnected as provided in
199-Chapter 20.
(8)
Reconnections. If a customer's distributed generation facility
or electric service is disconnected due to noncompliance with rule 199-45.3
(476), the customer shall be responsible for payment of any costs associated
with reconnection once the facility is in compliance with the rules.
Notes
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