-
PV Power Source
An array or collection of arrays that generates DC power
-
PV Source Circuit
The circuit connecting a group of modules together and to the common connection point of the DC system
-
PV Output Circuit
The circuit connecting the PV power source to the rest of the system
-
Ampacity
The current that a conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating
-
Junction Box
A protective enclosure used to terminate, combine, and connect various circuits or components together
-
Combiner Box
A junction box used as the parallel connection point for two or more circuits
-
Blocking Diode
A diode used in PV source circuits to prevent reverse current flow
-
Bypass Diode
A diode used to pass current around, rather than through, a group of PV cells
-
Overcurrent Protection Device
A device that prevents conductors or devices from reaching excessively high temperatures due to very high currents by opening the circuit
-
Fuse
A metallic link that melts when heated by current greater than its rating, opening the circuit and providing overcurrent protection
-
Circuit Breaker
An electrical switch that automatically opens as a means of overcurrent protection, and that can be manually opened as a disconnecting means
-
Interrupting Rating
The maximum current that an overcurrent protection device is able to stop without being destroyed or causing an electrical arc
-
Back-fed Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker that allows current flow in either direction
-
Disconnect
A device used to isolate equipment and conductors from sources of electricity for the purpose of installation, maintenance, or service
-
Grounded
The condition of something that is connected to the earth or to a conductive material that is connected to the earth
-
Grounding Electrode
A conductive rod, plate, or wire buried in the ground to provide a low-resistance connection to the earth
-
Grounding Electrode Conductor (GEC)
A conductor connecting the grounding electrode to the rest of the electrical grounding system
-
Grounded Conductor
A current-carrying conductor that is intentionally grounded
-
Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC)
A conductor connecting exposed metallic equipment, which might inadvertently become energized, to the grounding electrode conductor
-
Ungrounded Conductor
A current-carrying conductor that has no connection to the ground
-
Ground Fault
The undesirable condition of current flowing through the grounding conductor
-
Ground-fault Protection
The automatic opening of conductors involved in a ground fault
-
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
A device that opens the ungrounded and grounded conductors when a ground fault exceeds a certain amount, typically 4 mA to 6 mA
-
Surge Arrestor
A device that protects electrical devices from transients (voltage spikes)
|
|
