OAR 860-082-0030
Construction, Operation, Maintenance, and Testing of Small Generator Facilities
(1)
An interconnection customer or applicant must construct, operate, and maintain a small generator facility and its associated interconnection equipment in compliance with IEEE 1547 and 1547.1.(2)
The applicant must provide written notice to the interconnecting public utility 10 business days before beginning operation of an approved small generator facility.(3)
Before beginning operation of a small generator facility, an interconnection customer or applicant must receive approval of the facility under the small generator interconnection rules and must execute an interconnection agreement with the interconnecting public utility. Applicants or interconnection customers are entitled to a maximum 20-year term for an interconnection agreement.(4)
A small generator facility must be capable of being isolated from the interconnecting public utility’s transmission or distribution system. An interconnection customer may not disable an isolation device without the prior written consent of the interconnected public utility.(a)
For small generator facilities interconnecting to a primary line, the interconnection customer or applicant must use a lockable, visible-break isolation device readily accessible to the public utility.(b)
For small generator facilities interconnecting to a secondary line, the interconnection customer or applicant must use a lockable isolation device that is readily accessible by the public utility. The status of the isolation device must be clearly indicated. An exception from the requirement to use a lockable isolation device is allowed for a small generator facility that has a maximum total output of 30 amperes or less; is connected to a secondary line; uses lab-tested, inverter-based interconnection equipment; and is interconnected to the distribution system through a metered service owned by the interconnected public utility. In this limited case, the meter base may serve as the required isolation device if it is readily accessible to the public utility.(A)
A draw-out type circuit breaker with the provision for padlocking at the draw-out position can be considered an isolation device.(B)
The interconnection customer or applicant may elect to provide the public utility access to an isolation device that is contained in a building or area that may be unoccupied and locked or not otherwise readily accessible to the public utility. The interconnection customer or applicant must provide a lockbox capable of accepting a lock provided by the public utility that provides ready access to the isolation device. The interconnection customer or customer must install the lockbox in a location that is readily accessible by the public utility and must affix a placard in a location acceptable to the public utility that provides clear instructions to utility personnel on how to access the isolation device.(c)
Other than the exception in (4)(b), all isolation devices must be installed, owned, and maintained by the interconnection customer or applicant; must be capable of interrupting the full load of the small generator facility; and must be located between the small generator facility and the point of interconnection.(5)
An interconnecting public utility must have access to an interconnection customer’s or an applicant’s premises for any reasonable purpose related to an interconnection application or an interconnected small generator facility. The public utility must request access at reasonable hours and upon reasonable notice. In the event of an emergency or hazardous condition, the public utility may access the interconnection customer’s or applicant’s premises at any time without prior notice, but the public utility must provide written notice within five business days after entering the interconnection customer’s or applicant’s premises that describes the date of entry, the purpose of entry, and any actions performed on the premises.(6)
When a small generator facility undergoes maintenance or testing in compliance with the small generator interconnection rules, IEEE 1547, or IEEE 1547.1, the interconnection customer must retain written records for at least seven years documenting the maintenance and the results of testing. The interconnection customer must provide copies of these records to the interconnected public utility upon request.
Source:
Rule 860-082-0030 — Construction, Operation, Maintenance, and Testing of Small Generator Facilities, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=860-082-0030.