Direct Buried cables within a controlled area and what constitutes mechanical protection

(xviii) solar photovoltaic (PV) power supply systems

Which part of BS7671 states that this doesn't apply to larger installations? If I operate a private HV network on an industrial estate and one of those substations feeds a solar park, is that in scope?


I certainly agree that some items with LV inside do not come in the scope of BS7671. The point was that the generating units are generating at low voltage so the site is not a generator in ESQCR terms. And before anyone chips in with "yes but they connect at HV", first of all ocnsider the aforementioned private HV network with an embedded PV array, and then further the DTI guidance note on ESQCR:

Generator

For  the  purposes  of  the  Regulations,  generators  operate  high  voltage   equipment   and   are   particularly   associated   with   the   provision  of  electrical  energy  to  consumers  via  networks  (see  definition  of  network).

The  intention  here  is  to  include  medium and  large  scale  generating  plant  incorporating  substations  and  electric lines to which the public may have access. Operators of any sort of generation in domestic situations are not expected to comply with the requirements placed on generators.  However, all operators and consumers should note that they may still be caught by the requirements of Part VI Generation.

Generators  should  note  that  they  are  exempt  from  implementing  certain  requirements  within  generating  stations  (see  regulations  12 and 16).

(My emphasis)

Medium and large scale generating plants were at the time well defined and would have required a licence to operate, unlike solar parks which being SSEGs even on the multi-MW scale at 132kV do not require one as long as G59/G99 is followed. (As an aside, G59 and G99 also make reference to BS7671)


The relevance of the contract is that BS7671 is only required to apply by law in particular cases, and in others it is de facto required as the easiest means to demonstrate the required level of safety. However, if the design or inspection contract say that BS7671 shall be applied then except for the parts excluded from scope either by other terms or by the standard itself, it should be held to apply.

(xviii) solar photovoltaic (PV) power supply systems

Which part of BS7671 states that this doesn't apply to larger installations? If I operate a private HV network on an industrial estate and one of those substations feeds a solar park, is that in scope?


I certainly agree that some items with LV inside do not come in the scope of BS7671. The point was that the generating units are generating at low voltage so the site is not a generator in ESQCR terms. And before anyone chips in with "yes but they connect at HV", first of all ocnsider the aforementioned private HV network with an embedded PV array, and then further the DTI guidance note on ESQCR:

Generator

For  the  purposes  of  the  Regulations,  generators  operate  high  voltage   equipment   and   are   particularly   associated   with   the   provision  of  electrical  energy  to  consumers  via  networks  (see  definition  of  network).

The  intention  here  is  to  include  medium and  large  scale  generating  plant  incorporating  substations  and  electric lines to which the public may have access. Operators of any sort of generation in domestic situations are not expected to comply with the requirements placed on generators.  However, all operators and consumers should note that they may still be caught by the requirements of Part VI Generation.

Generators  should  note  that  they  are  exempt  from  implementing  certain  requirements  within  generating  stations  (see  regulations  12 and 16).

(My emphasis)

Medium and large scale generating plants were at the time well defined and would have required a licence to operate, unlike solar parks which being SSEGs even on the multi-MW scale at 132kV do not require one as long as G59/G99 is followed. (As an aside, G59 and G99 also make reference to BS7671)


The relevance of the contract is that BS7671 is only required to apply by law in particular cases, and in others it is de facto required as the easiest means to demonstrate the required level of safety. However, if the design or inspection contract say that BS7671 shall be applied then except for the parts excluded from scope either by other terms or by the standard itself, it should be held to apply.