SUN - UL 2703, Mounting Systems, Mounting Devices, Clamping-Retention Devices, and Ground Lugs

Effective July 28, 2016

Standard Information

Standard Number:

UL 2703

Standard Name:

Mounting Systems, Mounting Devices, Clamping/Retention Devices, and Ground Lugs for Use with Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels

Standard Edition and Issue Date:

1st Edition Dated January 28, 2015

Date of Revisions:

(new edition)

Date of Previous Revisions to Standard:

2nd Issue Outline-of-Investigation dated November 13, 2012

Effective Date of New/Revised Requirements

Effective Date (see Schedule below): July 28, 2016

Impact, Overview, Fees and Action Required

Impact Statement: A review of all Listing Reports is necessary to determine which products comply with new/revised requirements and which products will require re-evaluation. NOTE: Effective immediately, this revised standard will be exclusively used for evaluation of new products unless the Applicant requests in writing that current requirements be used along with their understanding that their listings will be withdrawn on Effective Date noted above, unless the product is found to comply with new/revised requirements.

Overview of Changes:

Special Note => Any UL 2703 certified/listed products identified for use in PV modules and panels are advised that installers, contractors and local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) may reject a device if only certified/listed to the UL Subject 2703 Outline-of-Investigations.

IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT ALL MANUFACTURERS OF GROUNDING & BONDING PRODUCTS INTENDED FOR PV MODULES/PANELS SUBMIT THEIR PRODUCT FOR RE-EXAMINATION AND TESTING TO 1st EDITION OF UL 2703 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ESPECIALLY NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

Product Certified to the First Issuance of UL Subject 2703 (October 10, 2010) will most likely require full re-examination and test.
Product Certified to the Second Issuance of UL Subject 2703 (November 13, 2012) will most likely only require a few re-tests. See especially Bonding Conductor Test (in table below).

Client Action Required:

Current Listings Not Active? – Please immediately identify any current Listing Reports or products that are no longer active and should be removed from our records. We will do this at no charge as long as Intertek is notified in writing prior to the review of your reports.

Description of New/Revised Technical Requirements

Clause	Verdict	Comment
		NOTE: The gap between the previous Outline-of-Investigation Issue Number 1 (October 10, 2010) of UL 2703 is significant to the requirements actually published as an ANSI standard 1st edition on January 28, 2015. As such a full re-examination of equipment may be necessary. The gap between the previous Outline-of-Investigation Issue Number 2 (November 13, 2012) of UL 2703 is minor but one test revision is noted as being significant.
22.1b		Bonding Conductor Test (repeated here for clarity) Bonding components which are utilized with surfaces having non-conductive materials such as anodization or paint, or have insufficient conductively equivalent cross-sectional area/materials in accordance with Table 9.1 shall be subject to the Bonding Conductor Test as specified in (a) and (b). Two specimens each are to carry currents equal to 135 and 200 percent of the rating or setting of the intended branch-circuit overcurrent-protective device for the times specified in Table 22.1, and Two specimens are to be subjected to a limited-short-circuit test using 240 Vac at 5000 amperes while connected in series with a Listed nonrenewable fuse or circuit breaker having a rating equal to the intended branch-circuit overcurrent-protective device. Note that the limited-short-circuit test is not to be conducted at 240 Vac at 5000 amps (previously the test was identified as 0-240 Vac).

Clause

Verdict

Comment

NOTE: The gap between the previous Outline-of-Investigation Issue Number 1 (October 10, 2010) of UL 2703 is significant to the requirements actually published as an ANSI standard 1st edition on January 28, 2015. As such a full re-examination of equipment may be necessary.

The gap between the previous Outline-of-Investigation Issue Number 2 (November 13, 2012) of UL 2703 is minor but one test revision is noted as being significant.

22.1b

Bonding Conductor Test (repeated here for clarity)

Bonding components which are utilized with surfaces having non-conductive materials such as anodization or paint, or have insufficient conductively equivalent cross-sectional area/materials in accordance with Table 9.1 shall be subject to the Bonding Conductor Test as specified in (a) and (b).

Two specimens each are to carry currents equal to 135 and 200 percent of the rating or setting of the intended branch-circuit overcurrent-protective device for the times specified in Table 22.1, and
Two specimens are to be subjected to a limited-short-circuit test using 240 Vac at 5000 amperes while connected in series with a Listed nonrenewable fuse or circuit breaker having a rating equal to the intended branch-circuit overcurrent-protective device.

Note that the limited-short-circuit test is not to be conducted at 240 Vac at 5000 amps (previously the test was identified as 0-240 Vac).