Section 75.22. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Adverse system impact—A negative effect, due to technical or operational limits on conductors or equipment being exceeded, that compromises the safety and reliability of the electric distribution system.

Anti-islanding—The protective function which prevents electrical generating equipment from exporting electrical energy when connected to a de-energized electrical system.

Applicant—A person who has submitted an interconnection request to interconnect a small generator facility to an EDC’s electric distribution system, also referred to as the interconnection customer.

Area network—

(i) A type of electric distribution system served by multiple transformers interconnected in an electrical network circuit, which is generally used in large metropolitan areas that are densely populated.

(ii) The term has the same meaning as the term ‘‘distribution secondary grid network’’ as stated in IEEE Standard 1547 Section 4.1.4 (published July 2003), as amended and supplemented.

Center tapped neutral transformer—A transformer with a tap in the middle of the secondary winding, usually used as a grounded neutral connection, intended to provide an option for the secondary side to use the full available voltage output or just half of it according to need.

Certificate of completion—A certificate in a form approved by the Commission containing information about the interconnection equipment to be used, its installation and local inspections.

Certified—A designation that the interconnection equipment to be used by a customer-generator complies with the following standards, as applicable:

(i) IEEE Standard 1547, ‘‘Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems,’’ as amended and supplemented.

(ii) UL Standard 1741, ‘‘Inverters, Converters and Controllers for use in Independent Power Systems’’ (January 2001), as amended and supplemented.

Distribution upgrade—A required addition or modification to the EDC’s electric distribution system at or beyond the point of interconnection. Distribution upgrades do not include interconnection facilities.

Draw-out type circuit breaker—A switching device capable of making, carrying and breaking currents under normal circuit conditions and also, making and carrying for a specified time and breaking currents under specified abnormal circuit conditions, such as those of a short circuit. A draw-out circuit breaker has two parts, the base, which is bolted and wired to the frame and the actual breaker, which slides into and electrically mates with the base. A draw-out circuit breaker can be physically removed from its enclosure creating a visible break in the circuit.

Electric distribution system—

(i) The facilities and equipment used to transmit electricity to ultimate usage points such as homes and industries from interchanges with higher voltage transmission networks that transport bulk power over longer distances. The voltage levels at which electric distribution systems operate differ among areas but generally carry less than 69 kilovolts of electricity.

(ii) Electric distribution system has the same meaning as the term Area EPS, as defined in 3.1.6.1 of IEEE Standard 1547.

Electric nameplate capacity—The net maximum or net instantaneous peak electric output capability measured in volt-amps of a small generator facility as designated by the manufacturer.

Equipment package—A group of components connecting an electric generator with an electric delivery system, and includes all interface equipment including switchgear, inverters or other interface devices. An equipment package may include an integrated generator or electric source.

Fault current—The electrical current that flows through a circuit during an electrical fault condition. A fault condition occurs when one or more electrical conductors contact ground or each other. Types of faults include phase to ground, double-phase to ground, three-phase to ground, phase-to-phase, and three-phase. Often, a fault current is several times larger in magnitude than the current that normally flows through a circuit.

IEEE standard 1547—The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) Standard 1547 (2003) ‘‘Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems,’’ as amended and supplemented, at the time the interconnection request is submitted.

IEEE standard 1547.1—The IEEE Standard 1547.1 (2005) ‘‘Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems,’’ as amended and supplemented, at the time the interconnection request is submitted.

Interconnection customer—An entity that proposes to interconnect a small generator facility to an electric distribution system.

Interconnection equipment—A group of components or integrated system connecting an electric generator with an electric distribution system that includes all interface equipment including switchgear, protective devices, inverters or other interface devices. Interconnection equipment may be installed as part of an integrated equipment package that includes a generator or other electric source.

Interconnection facilities—Facilities and equipment required by the EDC to interconnect the small generator facility and the interconnection customer’s interconnection equipment. Collectively, interconnection facilities include the facilities and equipment between the small generator facility and the point of common coupling, including any modification, additions that are necessary to physically and electrically interconnect the small generator facility to the EDC’s electric distribution system. Interconnection facilities are sole use facilities and do not include electric distribution system upgrades.

Interconnection facilities study—A study conducted by the EDC or a third party consultant for the interconnection customer to determine a list of facilities (including EDC’s interconnection facilities and required distribution upgrades to the electric distribution system as identified in the interconnection system impact study), the cost of those facilities, and the time required to interconnect the small generator facility with the EDC’s electric distribution system.

Interconnection facilities study agreement—An agreement in a form approved by the Commission which details the terms and conditions under which an EDC will conduct an interconnection facilities study.

Interconnection feasibility study—A preliminary evaluation of the system impact and cost of interconnecting the small generator facility to the EDC’s electric distribution system.

Interconnection feasibility study agreement—An agreement in a form approved by the Commission which details the terms and conditions under which an EDC will conduct an interconnection feasibility study.

Interconnection request—An interconnection customer’s request, in a form approved by the Commission, requesting the interconnection of a new small generator facility, or to increase the capacity or operating characteristics of an existing small generator facility that is interconnected with the EDC’s electric distribution system.

Interconnection study—Any of the following studies:

(i) The Interconnection Feasibility Study.

(ii) The Interconnection System Impact Study.

(iii) The Interconnection Facilities Study.

Interconnection system impact study—An engineering study that evaluates the impact of the proposed interconnection on the safety and reliability of an EDC’s electric distribution system.

Interconnection system impact study agreement—An agreement in a form approved by the Commission which details the terms and conditions under which an EDC will conduct an interconnection system impact study.

Line section—That portion of an EDC’s distribution system connected to an interconnection customer, bounded by automatic sectionalizing devices or the end of the distribution line.

Minor equipment modification—Changes to the proposed small generator facility that do not have a material impact on safety or reliability of the electric distribution system.

NRTL—Nationally recognized testing laboratory—A qualified private organization that meets the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) regulations. NRTLs perform independent safety testing and product certification. Each NRTL must meet the requirements as set forth by OSHA in the NRTL program.

Parallel operation-parallel—The state of operation which occurs when a small generator facility is connected electrically to the electric distribution system and the potential exists for electricity to flow from the small generator facility to the electric distribution system.

Point of common coupling—The point where the customer’s interconnection equipment connects to the electric distribution system at which harmonic limits or other operational characteristics (IEEE Standard 1547 requirements) are applied.

Point of interconnection—The point where the interconnection equipment connects to the EDC’s electric distribution system.

Queue position—The order of a valid interconnection request, relative to all other pending valid interconnection requests, that is established based upon the date and time of receipt of the valid interconnection request by the EDC.

Radial distribution circuit—A system in which independent feeders branch out radially from a common source of supply. from the standpoint of a utility system, the area described is between the generating source or intervening substations and the customer’s entrance equipment. A radial distribution system is the most common type of connection between a utility and load in which power flows in one direction, from the utility to the load.

SGIA—Standard small generator interconnection agreement—A set of standard forms of interconnection agreements approved by the Commission which is applicable to interconnection requests pertaining to a small generating facilities.

Scoping meeting—A meeting between representatives of the interconnection customer and EDC conducted for the purpose of discussing alternative interconnection options, exchanging information including any electric distribution system data and earlier study evaluations that would be reasonably expected to impact interconnection options, analyzing information, and determining the potential feasible points of interconnection.

Secondary line—A service line subsequent to the utility’s primary distribution line, also referred to as the customer’s service line.

Small generator facility—The equipment used by an interconnection customer to generate, or store electricity that operates in parallel with the electric distribution system. A small generator facility typically includes an electric generator, prime mover, and the interconnection equipment required to safely interconnect with the electric distribution system.

Spot network—The term has the same meaning as the term ‘‘spot network’’ under IEEE Standard 1547 Section 4.1.4, (published July 2003), as amended and supplemented. As of August, 2005, IEEE Standard 1547 defined ‘‘Spot Network’’ as ‘‘a type of electric distribution system that uses two or more inter-tied transformers to supply an electrical network circuit.’’ A spot network is generally used to supply power to a single customer or a small group of customers.

UL Standard 174—Underwriters Laboratories’ standard titled ‘‘Inverters Converters, and Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems,’’ as amended and supplemented.

Witness test—The EDC’s interconnection installation evaluation required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.3 and the EDC’s witnessing of the commissioning test required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.4. For interconnection equipment that has not been certified, the witness test shall also include the witnessing by the EDC of the onsite design tests as required by IEEE Standard1547 Section 5.1 and witnessing by the EDC of production tests required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.2. Tests witnessed by the EDC are to be performed in accordance with IEEE Standard 1547.1.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 69.2101 (relating to statement of scope); 52 Pa. Code § 69.2102 (relating to statement of purpose); and 52 Pa. Code § 69.2104 (relating to interconnection application fees).