What should be verified for equipment grounding conductors in PV systems during inspections?

The correct focus during inspections of equipment grounding conductors in photovoltaic (PV) systems is ensuring that the conductor size matches the system's capacity. This is essential for both safety and performance. Properly sizing the grounding conductor helps ensure that it can effectively carry fault currents, thereby providing a reliable path for fault current to earth. This minimizes the risk of electrical shock and helps the overcurrent protection devices operate correctly in the event of a fault.

Grounding conductors play a critical role in dissipating electrical surges and prevent damage from lightning or other electrical faults, which is why adherence to the correct sizing according to NEC guidelines is vital. The NEC defines specific requirements for grounding conductors based on the characteristics of the installation, including the size of the system and the potential fault currents involved.

Conductor size is typically determined based on the system's capacity, which encompasses various factors such as the size and type of equipment being used, ensuring that the grounding system is robust enough to handle any potential fault conditions. Thus, verifying that the grounding conductors are appropriately sized contributes significantly to the safety and effectiveness of the overall PV system.