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Distribution Hand Book

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Distribution Hand Book

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Available Formats

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You are on page 1/ 157

Distribution

Interconnection
Handbook

April 2003

Revision 0

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of Pacific Gas and Electric Company. For information,
address:

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Technical Document Management
Mail Code H11H
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, CA 94177

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

Acknowledgements
The working group that wrote the Distribution Interconnection Handbook (DIH) is
comprised of several departments.
Thanks to these team members:
Distribution Planning: Satvir Nagra, Sherry King, Jim Sanborn
Field Metering: Bill Tirona, Young Nguyen
Interconnection Services: John Vardanian (Rule 21), David Ore (ENET),
Art McAuley
Service Planning: Dave Evans
System Operations: Wolfgang Hase, Mike Badet
Technical Support: Jim Sprecher, Jeff Goh, Dan Pearson
Software Support for Interconnection Study: Bob Hartwell
Rate & Tariffs: Jerry Jackson, Dylan Savidge
Communication: Larry Duba
Interconnection ServicesTransmission Handbook: Bill Gravellis
Support: Kris Buchholz

May 1, 2003

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

May 1, 2003

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

Table of Contents
Contents

Section 1

Page

General information

1.1. Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

1.2. Retail (Under CPUC Jurisdiction) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
1.3. Time Frames and Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
1.4. Single Point of Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Section 2

Standard E-NET Interconnection

2.1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

2.2. Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
2.3. Standard E-NET Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
2.4. Application and Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
2.4.1.

Application Form and Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

2.4.2.

E-NET Forms and Application Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

2.4.2.1. Completed Application Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
2.4.2.2. Single-Line Diagram and Project Details . . . . . . . . . 2-2
2.4.2.3. Signed Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
2.4.2.4. Proof of Insurance Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2.4.2.5. Approved Building Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2.4.2.6. Electric Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2.4.2.7. Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

2.5. Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

2.5.1.

Protective Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

2.5.2.

Manual Disconnect Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

2.5.3.

Single-Line Drawing or Schematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

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2.5.4.

Subdivision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

2.5.5.

Metering Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

2.5.6.

Telemetering Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

2.5.7.

Operation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

2.5.8.

Other Technical Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

2.5.8.1. Preparallel Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

Section 3

Expanded E-NET Interconnection

3.1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

3.2. Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
3.3. Expanded E-NET Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
3.4. Application and Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
3.4.1.

Application Form/Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

3.4.2.

Expanded E-NET Forms and Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

3.4.2.1. Completed Application Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
3.4.2.2. Single-Line Diagram and Project Details . . . . . . . . . 3-2
3.4.2.3. Signed Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
3.4.2.4. Proof of Insurance Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
3.4.2.5. Approved Building Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
3.4.2.6. Electric Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
3.4.2.7. Preparallel Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
3.4.2.8. Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
3.4.2.9. Application Completeness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
3.4.2.10. Initial Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
3.4.2.11. Supplemental Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
3.4.2.12. Interconnection Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

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3.5. Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

3.5.1.

Interconnection Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

3.5.2.

Protection and Control Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

3.6. Manual Disconnect Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

3.6.1.

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

3.6.2.

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

3.6.3.

Low-Voltage Disconnects (0 to 600 Volts) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

3.6.4.

Medium-Voltage Disconnects (600 Volts to 25 kV) . . . . . . . . . 3-9

3.7. Review and Study Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

3.8. Inverter-Based Generating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
3.9. Machine-Based Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
3.10. Testing and Maintenance Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
3.11. Reliability and Redundancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
3.12. Relay Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
3.12.1.

Industrial-Grade Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

3.12.2.

Utility-Grade Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

3.13. System-Fault Detection And Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

3.14. Protection and Control for Generating Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
3.14.1.

Phase Overcurrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

3.14.2.

Over/Undervoltage Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

3.14.3.

Over/Underfrequency Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

3.14.4.

Ground-Fault-Sensing Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

3.14.5.

Overcurrent Relay with Voltage Restraint or Voltage Control 3-17

3.14.6.

Fault-Interrupting Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18

3.14.6.1. Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18

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Page
3.14.6.2. Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18

3.15. Direct Telephone Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19

3.16. Metering Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
3.17. Telemetering Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
3.18. Ground Potential Rise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
3.19. Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
3.20. Operation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
3.20.1.

Normal Voltage Operating Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27

3.20.2.

Limits Specific to Single-Phase Generating Facilities . . . . . . 3-28

Section 4

Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

4.1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

4.2. Application and Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
4.2.1.

Application Form/Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

4.2.2.

Application Completeness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

4.2.3.

Initial Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

4.2.4.

Supplemental Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

4.2.5.

Interconnection Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

4.2.6.

Single-Line Diagram and Project Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

4.3. Rule 21 Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

4.3.1.

Generating Facility Interconnection Agreement (GFIA)

(Form 79-973) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

4.3.2.

Customer Generation Agreement (CGA) (Third-Party Generator

On Premises) (Non-Exporting) (Form 79-992) . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

4.3.3.

Generating Facility Interconnection Agreement (GFIA)

(Third Party Non-Exporting) (Form 79-988) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

4.3.4.

Special Facilities Agreement (SFA) (Form 79-280) . . . . . . . . 4-5

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Page

4.3.5.

Standby Service Agreement (SSA) (Form 79-285) . . . . . . . . . 4-5

4.3.6.

Natural Gas Service Agreement (NGSA) (Form 79-756) . . . . 4-5

4.3.7.

Other Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

4.3.8.

Proof of Insurance Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

4.4. Approved Building Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

4.5. Preparallel Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
4.6. Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
4.7. Fees/Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
4.8. Technical Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
4.8.1.

Interconnection Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

4.8.2.

Protection and Control Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

4.9. Manual Disconnect Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

4.9.1.

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

4.9.2.

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

4.9.3.

Low-Voltage Disconnects (0 to 600 Volts) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

4.9.4.

Medium-Voltage Disconnects (600 Volts to 25 kV) . . . . . . . . 4-11

4.10. Review and Study Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

4.11. Inverter-Based Generating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
4.12. Machine-Based Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
4.13. Testing and Maintenance Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
4.14. Reliability and Redundancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
4.15. Relay Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
4.15.1.

Industrial-Grade Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

4.15.2.

Utility-Grade Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

4.15.3.

Relays Approved by PG&E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

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4.16. System Fault Detection and Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

4.17. Protection and Control for Generating Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
4.17.1.

Phase Overcurrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

4.17.2.

Over/Undervoltage Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

4.17.3.

Over/Underfrequency Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

4.17.4.

Ground-Fault-Sensing Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20

4.17.4.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
4.17.4.2. Distribution Interconnections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20

4.17.5.

Overcurrent Relay with Voltage Restraint or Voltage Control 4-21

4.17.6.

Reverse-Power Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22

4.17.7.

Fault-Interrupting Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22

4.17.7.1. Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
4.17.7.2. Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23

4.17.8.

Synchronous Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23

4.17.9.

Synchronizing Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24

4.17.9.1. PG&E-Approved Automatic Synchronizers . . . . . . 4-24
4.17.9.2. Automatic Synchronizers Not Approved by PG&E
but Supervised by a PG&E-Approved
Synchronizing Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-24
4.17.9.3. Manual Synchronization Supervised by a
Synchronizing Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
4.17.9.4. Manual Synchronization With a Synch-Check
Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25

4.17.10. Frequency/Speed Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25

4.17.11. Excitation System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
4.17.12. Voltage Regulation/Power Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
4.17.13. Event Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
4.18. Induction Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
4.19. Parallel-only (No Sale) Generator Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-27
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4.20. PG&E Protection and Control-System Changes That May Be

Required to Accommodate the Generators Interconnection . . . . . . . . . 4-27
4.21. Direct Telephone Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
4.22. Metering Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33
4.23. Telemetering Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
4.24. Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35
4.25. Operation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35
4.25.1.

Normal Voltage Operating Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35

4.25.2.

Other Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36

4.25.3.

System Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36

Section 5

Portable, Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnections

5.1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

5.2. Portable Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
5.3. Standby Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
5.3.1.

Safety Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

5.4. Emergency Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

5.4.1.

Break Before Make . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

5.4.2.

Make Before Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

5.4.3.

Interconnection Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

5.4.3.1. Interconnection Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
5.4.3.2. Transfer Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
5.4.3.3. Notification and Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
5.4.3.4. Operation/Clearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
5.4.3.5. Break-Before-Make Transfer Switch:
Specific Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

May 1, 2003

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

Table of Contents

Contents

Page
5.4.3.6. Make-Before-Break Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Section 6

Technical Requirements for Load Entities

6.1. Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

6.2. Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
6.3. Requirements For Load Interconnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
6.3.1.

Data Provided by the Applicant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

6.3.2.

Data that PG&E Provides to the Applicant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

6.4. Reliability and Redundancy Specifications for Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

6.4.1.

Fault-Interrupting Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

6.4.1.1. Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
6.4.1.2. Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

6.5. Standby/Backup Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

6.5.1.

Standby Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

6.6. Metering Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10

6.7. Types of Distribution Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
6.7.1.

Wholesale Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10

6.7.2.

Retail Service (End Users) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11

6.7.2.1. Bundled Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
6.7.2.2. Customer Meter Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
6.7.2.3. PG&E Is the MSP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
6.7.2.4. PG&E Is the MDMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
6.7.2.5. Customer Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12

6.8. Revenue Metering Interconnection Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14

6.9. Communications Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
6.10. Preparallel Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
x

May 1, 2003

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Contents

Page

6.11. Required Tests for the PS Customers Equipment Before Energizing . 6-15
6.11.1.

Proving Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-15

6.11.2.

Proving Ratios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

6.11.3.

Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

6.11.4.

Current Transformers and Current Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

6.11.5.

Relays/Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17

6.12. Energizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18

6.13. General Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18
Attachment 1

Glossary

Attachment 2

Websites Addresses

Attachment 3

Drawings

Figure A3-1

Underground Primary Service from Underground Distribution

Preferred Service Arrangement Customers Termination Facility
500 Feet From PG&E Splice Box

Figure A3-2

Underground Primary Service from Underground Distribution

Non-Preferred Service Arrangement Customers Termination
Facility > 500 Feet From PG&E Splice Box

Figure A3-3

Underground Primary Service from Overhead Distribution

Preferred Service Arrangement Customers Termination Facility
500 Feet From PG&E Pole

Figure A3-4

Underground Primary Service from Overhead Distribution

Non-Preferred Service Arrangement Customers Termination
Facility > 500 Feet From PG&E Pole

Figure A3-5

Overhead Primary Service from Overhead Distribution Preferred

Service Arrangement

Figure A3-6

Advanced Electric Systems GC-1000 (grid intertie inverter) No

batteries, no transfer or bypass switching

May 1, 2003

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

Table of Contents

Contents

Page

Expanded E-NET Typical Electrical Single-Line Drawing

Rule 21 Example of Single-Line Drawing
Document 053826

Requirements for Distribution Feeder with Synchronous

Generating Equipment

Document 058779

Pole-Top Primary Metering Installation, Cluster Mounted

(12 or 21 kV Line)

Document 060559

Disconnect Switches for Interconnection with Small Power

Producers and Cogenerators

Document 066195

25 kV Underarm Sidebreak Switch

Attachment 4

Equipment

List of Eligible Inverters

Siemens Safety Switch Cross-Reference Guide Type VBII
Attachment 5

Rule 21 Process

Rule 21

Application/Interconnection Process Flowchart

Rule 21

Generating Facility Interconnections Initial Review Process for

Applications to Interconnect Generating Facilities

Attachment 6

Telemetering and Transfer Trip

Attachment 7

Substation Grounding Requirements

Attachment 8

Generator Automatic Synchronizers

Attachment 9

Generator Protective Relay Requirements

Attachment 10 Rule 2 Description of Service

xii

May 1, 2003

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

Table of Contents

Contents

Page

Attachment 11 Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnections

Attachment 12 Forms and Agreements
Authorization To: Receive Customer Information or Act on a Customers Behalf
Generator Interconnection Agreement
Generation Operating Agreement
Generation Special Facilities Agreement
E-9 Checklist

(All Customers Selecting the Schedule E-9 Rate Must Complete

the Following Qualifying Checklist)

Form 62-4527

Agreement to Perform Tariff Schedule Related Work

Form 79-280

Agreement for Installation or Allocation of Special Facilities for

Parallel Operation of Nonutility-Owned Generation and/or
Electrical Standby Service (Electric Rules 2 and 21)

Form 79-285

Pacific Gas and Electric Companys Special Agreement for

Electrical Standby Service

Form 79-756

Natural Gas Service Agreement

Form 79-843

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Standby Account Data Sheet

Form 79-854

Interconnection Agreement for Net Energy Metering for

Residential and Small Commercial Solar or Wind Electric
Generating Facilities of 10 Kilowatts or Less

Form 79-973

PG&E Generating Facility Interconnection Agreement

Form 79-974

Generating Facility Interconnection Application

Form 79-978

Interconnection Agreement for Net Energy Metering of Solar or

Wind Electric Generating Facilities of 1000 kW or Less, Other
than Residential or Small Commercial Facilities of 10 kW or
Less

May 1, 2003

xiii

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

Table of Contents

Contents

Page

Form 79-988

Generating Facility Interconnection Agreement (3rd Party

Non-Exporting)

Form 79-992

Customer Generation Agreement (3rd Party Generator on

Premises) (Non-Exporting)

Form 79-944

Application for Interconnecting Residential or Small

Commercial Net Energy Metering (E-NET) Customers with
Solar or Wind Electric Generating Facilities of 10 Kilowatts or
Less

Form G2-2

Relay Test Report

Form G5-1

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Generation Pre-Parallel

Inspection

xiv

May 1, 2003

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

List of Figures
Contents

Page

Section 2

Standard E-NET Interconnection

Figure 2-1

Single-Line Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Section 3

Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Figure 3-1

Recommended Ground Detection Schemes

12 kV Distribution Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23

Figure 3-2

Recommended Ground Detection Schemes

21 kV Distribution Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24

Section 4

Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Figure 4-1

Recommended Ground Detection Schemes

12 kV Distribution Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32

Figure 4-2

Recommended Ground Detection Schemes

21 kV Distribution Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33

Section 5

Portable, Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnections

Figure 5-1

Transfer Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Attachment 3

Drawings

Figure A3-1 Underground Primary Service from Underground

Distribution Preferred Service Arrangement Customers
Termination Facility 500 Feet From PG&E Splice Box . . . A3-3
Figure A3-2 Underground Primary Service from Underground
Distribution Non-Preferred Service Arrangement Customers
Termination Facility > 500 Feet From PG&E Splice Box . . . A3-4
Figure A3-3 Underground Primary Service from Overhead Distribution
Preferred Service Arrangement Customers Termination
Facility 500 Feet From PG&E Pole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3-5
May 1, 2003

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

List of Figures

Contents

Page

Figure A3-4 Underground Primary Service from Overhead Distribution

Non-Preferred Service Arrangement Customers Termination
Facility > 500 Feet From PG&E Pole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3-6
Figure A3-5 Overhead Primary Service from Overhead Distribution
Preferred Service Arrangement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3-7
Figure A3-6

Advanced Electric Systems GC-1000 (grid intertie inverter) No

batteries, no transfer or bypass switching

Expanded E-NET Typical Electrical Single-Line Drawing

Rule 21 Example of Single-Line Drawing
Document 053826

Requirements for Distribution Feeder with Synchronous

Generating Equipment

Document 058779

Pole-Top Primary Metering Installation, Cluster Mounted

(12 or 21 kV Line)

Document 060559

Disconnect Switches for Interconnection with Small Power

Producers and Cogenerators

Document 066195

25 kV Underarm Sidebreak Switch

xvi

May 1, 2003

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

List of Tables
Contents

Section 1
Table 1-1
Section 2

Page

General information
Interconnection Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Standard E-NET Interconnection

Table 2-1

Standard E-NET Interconnection Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Table 2-2

Installed Meter Height Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Section 3

Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Table 3-1

Review and Approval Process Time Frames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Table 3-2

Generator-Protection Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15

Table 3-3

Standard Device Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20

Table 3-4

Industrial-Grade Relays for Generation Application . . . . . . . . . 3-21

Table 3-5

Meter Height Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26

Section 4

Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Table 4-1

Review and Approval Process Time Frames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Table 4-2

Generator-Protection Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18

Table 4-3

Standard Device Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29

Table 4-4

Industrial-Grade Relays for Generation Application . . . . . . . . . 4-30

Table 4-5

Meter Height Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34

Section 6

Technical Requirements for Load Entities

Table 6-1

Basic Protective Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Table 6-2

Standard Device Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

May 1, 2003

xvii

Distribution Interconnection Handbook

List of Tables

Table 6-3

Utility-Grade Relays For Generation Application . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

Table 6-4

Circuit Breaker Positions and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

xviii

May 1, 2003

Generation

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

May 1, 2003

xix

Generation

Section 1
General Information
Notice: Document Subject to Change
The information and requirements in this manual are subject to change over time.
The online version of the Distribution Interconnection Handbook, located at
http://www/TechLib/, will be updated as quickly as possible when changes occur.
The bound manual will not be reprinted until the next scheduled print date regardless
of changes in the process or requirements.
1.1.

Purpose
The purpose of this manual is to provide information on how to
interconnect generating facilities or distributed generation (DG) to Pacific
Gas and Electric Companys (PG&Es) electrical distribution lines. This
information is presented by PG&E in an effort to maintain safe, uniform,
and reliable service to generating facilities and customers.
This manual is based on the applicable Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
rules and tariffs (e.g., Electric Rules 2, 21, and 22), as well as accepted
industry practices and standards contained within the Applicable
Reliability Criteria.
There are four types of interconnection. They are included in the
following two categories:

Retail

Standard E-NET

Expanded E-NET

Rule 21

Wholesale

1.2.

Wholesale Distribution Tariff (WDT)

(The Wholesale category will not be discussed in this
handbook.)

Retail (Under CPUC Jurisdiction)

Retail interconnection occurs when there is no export of power sales to the
California Independent System Operator (CAISO)-controlled system grid.
There are three types of interconnection in the retail category:

Standard E-NET
To apply for Standard E-NET interconnection, all of the following
conditions must apply for:

May 1, 2003

1-1

Generation
General Information

Generating systems that are10 kilowatts (kW) or less.

Residential and small commercial customers.

Photovoltaic (PV) systems or wind systems or a hybrid of

both.

For incidental export of power to PG&Es distribution lines.

(For more detailed information, please see Section 2,
Standard E-NET Interconnection, of this handbook).

Expanded E-NET
To apply for Expanded E-NET interconnection, all of the following
conditions must apply for:

Generating systems that are greater than 10 kW and up to 1

megawatt (MW).

Residential, medium, and large commercial (peak demand of

at least 20 kW) and all agricultural customer-generators.

PV or wind systems or a hybrid of both.

Incidental export of power to PG&Es distribution lines.

(For more detailed information, please see Section 3,
Expanded E-NET Interconnection, of this handbook).

Rule 21
To apply for Rule 21 interconnection, all of the following conditions
must apply for:

1.3.

Any types of generating systems but the sizes can be limited

based on the capabilities of distribution circuits.

All types of customers.

Parallel generation for a customers site use.

No export of power to PG&E distribution lines.

(For more detailed information, please see Section 4, Rule 21
Generating Facility Interconnection, of this handbook).

Time Frames and Fees

Table 1-1 outlines the interconnection process. Please see Section 2 to
Section 4 of this Distribution Interconnection Handbook for detailed
information on each interconnection category.

1-2

May 1, 2003

Generation
General Information

Table 1-1

Interconnection Process
Supplemental
Review

Technology

Initial Review

Standard
E-NET
(Section 2)

PV/wind or
a hybrid of
both

No cost to the
customer for
initial review if
PG&E
determines that
the proposed
project
qualifies as a
simplified
interconnection

No cost to the
customer if
PG&E
determines
that a
supplemental
review is
required.

No cost to the
customer if PG&E
determines that an
additional detailed
study is required.

Expanded
E-NET
(Section 3)

PV/wind or
a hybrid of
both

10 business
days
No fees
collected

The local division

Planning
department
determines the
need for a
detailed study.
No fees are
collected if PG&E
determines that a
detailed study is
needed.

Rule 21
(Section 4)

Any type of
generation

10 Business
Days
$800 fee
collected

10 business
days
$600 fee
collected

The local division

Planning
department
determines the
need for a
detailed study.
Fees are
collected if PG&E
determines that a
detailed study is
needed.

1.4.

Detailed Study

Single Point of Contact

PG&Es interconnection Services group is the single point of contact for
processing all DG interconnection to PG&Es distribution lines.
Following are the contact information:

Frank Salguero

(8) 2232284

Art McAuley

(8) 2236924

May 1, 2003

1-3

Generation
General Information

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

1-4

May 1, 2003

Generation

Section 2
Standard E-NET Interconnection

2.1.

Introduction
Standard E-NET is an energy net metering service for customers who
have installed a solar (photo voltaic or PV) or wind turbine generator or a
hybrid of both, with a capacity of 10 kW or less, and have interconnected
the facility to the Pacific Gas and Electric Companys (PG&E) electric
distribution grid system.
Customers who meet the above criteria qualify for Standard E-NET, if
they are:

Residential, or

Commercial customers with a peak demand of 20 kW or less.

The Standard E-NET program allows customers to install their own

generating facilities or distributed generation (DG), which is
interconnected to and operates in parallel with PG&Es electric grid.
2.2.

Purpose
The primary purpose of this generation interconnection service is to allow
customers to offset part or all of their electric loads. These customers may
continue to purchase power from PG&Es electric grid, as well as deliver
incidental power to the grid. This is conforming with CPUC Code 2727.
An E-NET customers electric meter may run forward (to account for
purchases from the grid) and backward (to account for deliveries to the
grid).

2.3.

Standard E-NET Eligibility

Standard E-NET customers can access information about the program on
PG&Es website: http://www/TechLib/.
PG&Es website currently has E-NET forms and links to the relevant
rules. These rules apply to those residential or small commercial
customers with peak demand loads of less than 20 kW, who want to install
facilities with a capacity of 10 kW or less.
This standard E-NET service is only applicable to customers who install
PV or wind generating systems to offset part or all of their electrical
requirements. The customer must be a residential or a small commercial
customer, with less than 20-kW-maximum-billing demand for at least 9 of
the most recent 12 months.
For more information, please refer to the tariff and:
1. http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/

May 1, 2003

2-1

Generation
Standard E-NET Interconnection

2. Section 2827 of the California Public Utilities Code at:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=puc&code
body=&hits=20.
Note: Customers wishing to export power to the grid are not
allowed to participate in the E-NET program and will
be assigned the appropriate rate schedule.

2.4.

Application and Agreements

2.4.1.

Application Form and Fees

The customer needs to submit a Standard E-NET application.
Standard E-NET applications may be obtained in the following
ways:

Call PG&Es Generation Hotline at (415) 972-5676 and

leave a voicemail message.

Send an email to [email protected].

Copy from this handbook (Attachment 12).

Return the completed application to:

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Attn: Generation Interconnection Services Section (GIS)
P.O. Box 770000
Mail Code B13J
San Francisco, CA 94177
Or, email the application to [email protected].
2.4.2.

E-NET Forms and Application Process

The applicant must provide the following documents:
2.4.2.1.

Completed Application Form

Please see Attachment 12 for the details and instructions
for filling out the application form Application for
Interconnecting Residential or Small Commercial Net
Energy Metering (E-NET) Customers with Solar or Wind
Electric Generating Facilities of 10 Kilowatts or Less,
(Form 79-994).
Applicants must submit an application form complete with
all required information before PG&E will process the
application.

2.4.2.2.

Single-Line Diagram and Project Details

A single-line diagram must accompany the application.
This drawing must meet National Electric Code (NEC) or

2-2

May 1, 2003

Generation
Standard E-NET Interconnection

have a drawing with a Professional Engineering Stamp or

C10 license.
For an example of a single-line diagram please refer to
Figure 2-1 on Page 2-7.
In the interest of assisting PG&E in its goal to deliver safe,
uniform service, the following guidelines are
recommended for transmitting electronic drawing files for
architectural, mechanical, and civil site plans:

The PG&E electronic drawing tool is AutoCAD

R14, .DWG format. All submitted electronic
drawings must be completely readable and
compatible with AutoCAD release 12 or above.

Drawings should be sent on 3.5-inch diskettes, CDs,

or as attached email files.

The Pack & Go feature of AutoCAD should be

used, if available.

Drawings for large projects should be sent in a

zipped format.

The use of layering is encouraged and should be

preserved when transferring files to PG&E.

All drawings should be saved in model space instead

of paper space.

Drawing plans should be two dimensional, with the

Z elevation at zero.

Any External Reference Files (Xref) or drawing

updates should maintain a consistent insertion point.

All related drawing files should be included.

If you have any questions, please contact your local PG&E

representative.
2.4.2.3.

Signed Agreement
The applicant must provide a signed copy of the
Interconnection Agreement for Net Energy Metering of
Solar or Wind Electric Generating Facilities of 1000 KW
or Less, Other than Residential or Small Commercial
Facilities of 10 KW or Less (Form 79-978, in
Attachment 12).
Please review the agreement checklist, which provides
instructions for completing the agreement.

May 1, 2003

2-3

Generation
Standard E-NET Interconnection

2.4.2.4.

Proof of Insurance Coverage

The customer must provide a copy of the declaration page
of all risk property insurance and comprehensive personal
liability insurance that is currently in effect.

2.4.2.5.

Approved Building Permit

Before performing a preparallel inspection, PG&E requires
proof that the installation has passed a building inspection
by local authorities.

2.4.2.6.

Electric Vehicles
The E-9 rate is mandatory for applicants with electric
vehicles. A completed E-9 Checklist All Customers
Selecting The Schedule E-9 Rate Must Complete the
Following Qualifying Checklist, must be included with
the application. The E-9 Checklist is located in
Attachment 12 of this manual.

2.4.2.7.
Table 2-1

Standard
E-NET

Timeline

Standard E-NET Interconnection Process

Technology

Initial Review

PV/wind or
a hybrid of
both

No cost to the
customer for
initial review if
PG&E
determines that
the proposed
project
qualifies as a
simplified
interconnection

Supplemental
Review
No cost to the
customer if
PG&E
determines
that a
supplemental
review is
required.

Detailed Study
No cost to the
customer if PG&E
determines that an
additional detailed
study is required.

The turnaround time for PG&E to approve the application

is 10 days.
PG&E uses an automated system, the E-NET Online
System (ENOS), to track the timeline of the application.
2.5.

Requirements
2.5.1.

Protective Devices
For Standard E-NET, PG&E requires inverters that are certified by
Underwriters Laboratories Standard UL 1741 and listed on the
California Energy Commissioners (CEC) eligible list.

2-4

May 1, 2003

Generation
Standard E-NET Interconnection

For more information, please refer to the following link:

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/buydown/eligible_inverters.
html.
When interconnecting facilities to the PG&E distribution system, it
is important to minimize the potential hazard to life and property.
A basic safety rule requires automatic detection and isolation of an
abnormal condition within a reasonable time. Please refer to the
CPUC Electric Rule 2 Description of Service at:
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/ER2.p
df.
Moreover, the interconnection of a new facility to the PG&E
distribution system must not degrade any of the existing PG&E
protection and control schemes nor lower the existing levels of
safety and reliability to other customers.
Also, as a general rule, neither PG&E nor the customer should
depend on the other for the protection of their respective
equipment.
Note: As specified in CPUC Rule 21, PG&Es
minimum protection requirements are designed
and intended to protect the PG&E power
system only.

The customer is responsible for the costs of PG&Es installation of

any protective equipment necessary to ensure safe and reliable
operation of both PG&Es and the customers facilities. The need
for protective equipment will vary, depending on the facilitys
location within a PG&E circuit.
2.5.2.

Manual Disconnect Switch

A manual disconnect switch is required for all generation facilities
larger than 1 kW. The customer must provide a disconnect device
to electrically isolate the PG&E system from the customers
generating facilities. This disconnect device may be located on
either side of the main switch.
Note: PG&Es safety specifications require that the
switch be visible and in close proximity (10 feet
or less) to the main utility meter panel.

In accordance with PG&Es safety rules and practices, the device

must be used to establish a visually open, working clearance
boundary when performing maintenance and repair work.
The disconnect device also must be accessible and lockable in the
open position. In addition, the manufacturer and model number of
the disconnect device must be among those approved for use by
PG&E, as listed in Engineering Document 060559, Disconnect
Switches For Interconnection With Small Power Producers And
Cogenerators. A copy of this document is located in Attachment 3
of this manual.

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Generation
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The disconnect switch must be a blade-type switch (knife

switch). In keeping with the technical requirements of Rule 21,
PG&E does not accept or approve the pull-out switches commonly
used in air-conditioning units and spas.
Additionally, the customer is solely responsible for the
maintenance of all fuses in fused, blade-type disconnect switches.
2.5.3.

Single-Line Drawing or Schematics

The applicant must provide a single-line drawing of the actual
installation, showing all of the following items:

System devices, connections, and ratings.

Location of the disconnect switch.

The manufacturers name, the model number, and the

ampere rating of the disconnect switch.

Please refer to Figure 2-1 on Page 2-7.

2-6

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Generation
Standard E-NET Interconnection

To Grid
PG&E
Meter

Lockable Disconnect
Switch (either one of these
locations)

Main
Panel

Transfer or
Bypass Switch

Sub
House
Panel

Invert Unit
(Check UL 1741
Certification)

Wind/Solar Equipment

Figure 2-1
Single-Line Drawing

2.5.4.

Subdivision
Subdivision developers offering solar generating systems must
apply for interconnection for the subdivision as a whole, rather
than submit individual, single-home applications.
To avoid delay, the developer must submit an application form for
the subdivision and a master drawing at least six months before the
requested interconnection.

May 1, 2003

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2.5.5.

Metering Requirements
Standard E-NET installations are designed to operate in parallel
with the PG&E system.
The disconnect requirements are specified by PG&E and are listed
in Engineering Document 060559, Disconnect Switches For
Interconnection With Small Power Producers And Cogenerators,
(Attachment 3).
As specified in Rule 21, the generating facility is required to have
an accessible disconnect switch that is lockable in the open
position. The disconnect switch must be located 10 feet or less
from the main utility meter panel and must be observable from the
panel.
Generating facilities under the Standard E-NET program may
deliver minimum power only with rated inverter that is approved
on this application.
In accordance with the CPUC-approved tariff, generators that meet
the following conditions may use a meter without a detent to net
the usage
(net kilowatt hours [kWh] = kWh usage kWh generation):

The generating system has an inverter rating of 10 kW or

less.

The system connects to PG&Es secondary-service voltage.

The system meets PG&Es E-NET rate schedule.

Only electromechanical or solid-state programmable revenue

meters are used for Standard E-NET.
A bidirectional meter measures and records the inadvertent
generation of excess power from an E-NET customer.
In the event that the installation of a dual meter-socket adapter is
necessary, customers are required to have adequate meter working
space. A meter working space is defined as an area in front of the
meter or the meter enclosure. The purpose of the meter working
space is to provide safe access to the metering equipment.
The meter working space must be:

2-8

Clear and level.

At least 36 inches by 30 inches in area.

Kept clear of debris and unobstructed at all times.

Located so that the centerline of the meter is at least 10

inches from any adjacent sidewall or other protruding
obstruction.

Located so there is no intrusion by landscaping, structures,

or stored material.

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Generation
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Installed meters must also meet the height requirements specified

in Table 2-2 on Page 2-9.
Table 2-2

Installed Meter Height Requirements

Installed Meters

Height Requirement

Individual, field-installed meter panels (i.e.,

not part of an assembly, such as a
switchboard).

A minimum of 48 inches to a maximum of

66 inches as measured from the centerline
of the meter to the standing surface.

Free-standing, manufactured, meter-panel Please refer to the Electric and Gas

enclosures, multimeter panels, or
Service Requirements manual (Greenbook)
assemblies where a minimum of a 36-inch
to a maximum of a 75-inch socket is placed
in a factory-assembled structure (e.g.
meter pedestal).
Agricultural and other pole-mounted
services.

2.5.6.

The height from the ground to the top of

the meter-socket enclosure must be 72
inches. However, the meter height may be
reduced to 48 inches if the
service-entrance conduit attached to the
pole is made of galvanized, rigid steel, or
PVC Schedule 40, and is at least 2 inches
in diameter.

Telemetering Requirements
Communication circuits between PG&E and customer generation
facilities may be required for protection, Supervisory Control and
Data Acquisition (SCADA), revenue metering and voice
communications. When external communication circuits are
installed, the responsible party should make sure that the high
voltage protection (HVR) on these circuits meets all applicable
standards.
If the meter is read via a telephone line, the customer is
responsible for installing the line and establishing service. If a land
line is unavailable and cellular signals are acceptable, then a
cellular phone may be used.
If the meters telephone line cannot be dedicated to the meter, the
customer, with approval from PG&Es local metering group, may
arrange to use a line sharing switch.
The telephone-line termination in switchboards, panels,
pole-mounted meters, and pedestals must be located as follows:

Within 5 circuit-feet of the centerline of the meter.

Between a minimum of 18 inches and a maximum of 72

inches above the finished grade.

When cellular phones are used, the same location requirements

apply to the power supply when measured from the load side of
the meter and located outside PG&Es sealable section.

May 1, 2003

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Generation
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2.5.7.

Operation Requirements
For PG&Es operating requirements, the customer must ensure that
the PG&E-approved disconnect is accessible at all time to PG&E
employees.
For some PG&E work procedures, such as scheduled maintenance
and outages, PG&E employees may require that this disconnect be
opened and locked for the employees safety.

2.5.8.

Other Technical Requirements

If the generating facility exceed the operating capabilities of

distribution lines, PG&Es Planning department may uses
requirements in Rule 21 to evaluate an application before
providing an approval to operate a generating system (please
see:
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/
ER21.pdf Section J):

Approval is based on the following criteria:

15% Rule The applicants generating system

combined with existing generation does not exceed
15% of the maximum loading of the line section.

Overloading PG&Es equipment and line rating are

not overloaded by the applicants generating system.

Voltage operating levels the applicants generating

system does not create a voltage drop or rise that goes
above or below the allowable operating-voltage
bandwidth specified in Rule 2.

System Upgrades Upon review by engineering employees,

PG&E may require a system upgrade to allow the system to
accommodate the interconnection of the generating facility.
Please refer to CPUC Code 2827 for the delineation of cost
responsibilities of the system upgrade versus the installation
of the interconnection facilities.

2.5.8.1.

Preparallel Inspection
Before giving a final approval for interconnection, PG&E
requires a preparallel inspection.
A PG&E field crew will schedule a date with the customer
or the customers representative to perform the preparallel
inspection. The customer must complete the Preparallel
Inspection Checklist in Attachment 12.

2-10

May 1, 2003

Generation

Section 3
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

3.1.

Introduction
Expanded E-NET is an energy net metering service for customers who
install a photovoltaic (PV) or wind turbine generator or a hybrid of both,
with a capacity above 10 kW and up to 1,000 kW, provided the facility is
interconnected to the Pacific Gas and Electric Companys (PG&E) electric
distribution grid system.
Customers who meet the following criteria will qualify for Expanded
E-NET interconnection:

Residential.

Commercial customers who have a peak demand equal to, or greater

than, 20 kW.

Any agricultural customer.

The Expanded E-NET program allows customers to install their own

generators, which are interconnected to and operate in parallel with
PG&Es electric grid.
3.2.

Purpose
The primary purpose of Expanded E-NET interconnection is for
customers to offset part or all of their electric loads. These customers may
continue to purchase power from PG&Es electric grid, as well as deliver
incidental power to the grid.
An Expanded E-NET customers electric meter may run forward (to
account for purchases from the grid) and backward (to account for
deliveries to the grid).

3.3.

Expanded E-NET Eligibility

The passage of California State Assembly Bill 29X on April 11, 2001, has
expanded the eligible customer classes for service under Standard E-NET.
Bill 29X has been extended indefinitely. For details, please see the
information on the following website:
http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/expanded_enet.shtml.
Section 2827 of the California Public Utilities Code provides the rules,
requirements and schedules to eligible customer-generators. For more
information, please see website:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=puc&codebod
y=&hits=20.

May 1, 2003

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3.4.

Application and Agreements

3.4.1.

Application Form/Fees
To apply for Expanded E-NET interconnection, the customer must
submit an E-NET application.
Expanded E-NET applications can be obtained in several ways:

Call PG&Es Generation Hotline at (415) 972-5676 and

leave a voicemail message.

Send an email to [email protected].

Copy from this handbook (Attachment 12).

Return the completed application to:

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Attn: Generation Interconnection Services Section (GIS)
P.O. Box 770000
Mail Code B13J
San Francisco, CA 94177
Or, email the completed application to [email protected].
3.4.2.

Expanded E-NET Forms and Process

The applicant must provide the following documents:
3.4.2.1.

Completed Application Form

Please see Attachment 12 for instructions on filling out the
application form, Generating Facility Interconnection
Application (Form 79-974).
In addition to submitting the fully completed application
form, the applicant must provide a copy of a current PG&E
bill before PG&E can process the application.

3.4.2.2.

Single-Line Diagram and Project Details

A single-line diagram must accompany the application.
This drawing must meet National Electric Code (NEC) or
have a drawing with a Professional Engineering Stamp or
C10 license.
In the interest of assisting PG&E in its goal to deliver safe,
uniform service, use the following guidelines for
transmitting electronic drawing files for architectural,
mechanical, and civil site plans:

3-2

The PG&E electronic drawing tool is AutoCAD

R14, .DWG format. All submitted electronic
drawings must be completely readable and
compatible with AutoCAD release 12 or above.
May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Drawings should be sent on 3.5-inch diskettes, CDs,

or as attached email files.

The Pack & Go feature of AutoCAD should be

used, if available.

Drawings for large projects should be sent in a

zipped format.

The use of layering is encouraged and should be

preserved when transferring files to PG&E.

All drawings should be saved in model space instead

of paper space.

Drawing plans should be two dimensional, with the

Z elevation at zero.

Any External Reference Files (Xref) or drawing

updates should maintain a consistent insertion point.

All related drawing files should be included.

If you have any questions, please contact your local PG&E

representative.
3.4.2.3.

3.4.2.4.

Proof of Insurance Coverage

Please refer to the Interconnection Agreement Form
79-978, which can be found in Attachment 12.

3.4.2.5.

Approved Building Permit

Before performing a preparallel inspection, PG&E requires
proof that the installation has passed a building inspection
by local authorities.
Note: The system must not be operated until the
customer has received a written approval from
PG&E.

3.4.2.6.

Electric Vehicles
The E-9 rate is mandatory for applicants with electric
vehicles. A completed E-9 Checklist All Customers

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Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Selecting The Schedule E-9 Rate Must Complete the

Following Qualifying Checklist, must be included with
the application. The E-9 Checklist is located in
Attachment 12 of this manual.
3.4.2.7.

Preparallel Inspection
To ensure that the system has been installed in accordance
with the originally submitted specifications, PG&E must
perform a final inspection of the system before operation
begins.
After a satisfactory inspection, the customer will receive a
written approval from PG&E to operate the system in
parallel with PG&Es grid.

3.4.2.8.

Timeline
There are no review or study fees for Expanded E-NET
interconnection.

Table 3-1

Review and Approval Process Time Frames

Timeline
10 days

Review
Application Completeness
PG&E must verify that the following items with sufficient
detail are received before conducting the initial review:
The project name and location.
A single-line drawing.
The generating facilities type, size, and data.
A list of protective devices.
The type and mode of a disconnect switch.
Please indicate on the application or drawing any
installed California Energy Commission (CEC)-certified
equipment.

10 days

Initial Review
Engineering review using the Initial Review Process.
Please see Sample of the Initial Review Process, in
Attachment 5.

10 additional days, total of Supplemental Review Process

20 days from receipt of
After the supplemental review, if PG&E determines that the
completed application
application is not qualified for simplified interconnection,
PG&E will determine a time schedule and the cost for an
interconnection study.
To be determined, as
required based on
supplemental review.

3-4

Interconnection Study
PG&E will determine the timeline and the cost for an
interconnection study on a case-by-case basis.

May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

3.4.2.9.

Application Completeness
Before proceeding with technical evaluation, PG&E has 10
days, from the day of the receipt of the application, to
evaluate if the applicant has provided complete
information.
A completed application must have the following items:

The projects name and location.

A single-line drawing of the project.

The generator type, size, and data.

A list of protective devices and test reports for new

relays.

The type and mode of the disconnect switch.

(For more information about completing an application,

please see Section C.1.b. at:
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf
/ER21.pdf.)
3.4.2.10.

Initial Review
If PG&E deems the application is complete, PG&E has 10
business days to perform the initial review.
At any time that PG&E deems the application is
incomplete, the 10-day clock for the initial review phase
stops. However, as soon as the applicant provides the
missing information and PG&E deems the application is
complete, a new 10-day clock starts.
If PG&E determines that the application qualifies for a
simplified interconnection, PG&E will provide a written
description of the requirements, as well as the agreements
described in Section 4.3. (Rule 21 Agreement).

3.4.2.11.

Supplemental Review
During the initial review, if PG&E determines that the
application does not qualify for a simplified
interconnection, PG&E will perform a supplemental
review.
PG&E will provide one of the following items after the
supplemental review:

May 1, 2003

The interconnection requirements beyond those for

simplified interconnection.

An interconnection-study schedule.

3-5

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

If a supplemental review is required, PG&E must complete

the supplemental review within 20 business days of the
receipt of a completed application.
For more details, please see Section 4, Rule 21
Generating Facility Interconnection.
3.4.2.12.

Interconnection Study
If an interconnection study is needed, PG&E will
determine the timetable on a case-by-case basis.

3.5.

Requirements
The requirements for Expanded E-NET are based on Rule 21.
This section describes the specific requirements that may be applicable, on
a case-by-case basis, to any retail generators that do not meet one or more
of the simplified interconnection criteria set by the California Energy
Commission (CEC) Rule 21, here referred to as CPUCs Rule
21-Generating Facility Interconnections.
For the complete text of Rule 21 please see:
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/ER21.pdf
3.5.1.

Interconnection Requirements
When interconnecting facilities to the PG&E distribution system, it
is important to minimize the potential hazard to life and property.
A basic safety rule requires the automatic detection and isolation
of abnormal system troubles within a reasonable time.
Important system problems are fault conditions, such as a short
circuit.

3.5.2.

Protection and Control Requirements

Please refer to CPUC Rule 21 for additional information.

3-6

May 1, 2003

Generation
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The customer may need to install high-speed2 protective

equipment to rapidly isolate trouble and to minimize equipment
damage and the potential impact to system stability.
PG&E system protection group reviewing the customers
protection system will determine, on a case-by-case basis, if the
customers generator needs high-speed fault clearing.3
Additional. interconnection protection requirements are discussed
in Section 3.9., Machine-Based Generation, on Page 3-11.
PG&E performs system studies to determine, on a case-by-case
basis, if the system configurations or types of generating facilities
need additional protection requirements.
The specific requirements for interconnection depend on the
following factors:

The generating facilities size and type.

The number of generating facilities.

Feeder characteristics (i.e., voltage, impedance, and

ampacity).

The ability of the existing protective equipment at the local

PG&E distribution system to function adequately with the
proposed interconnection facility (i.e., identical generator
projects connected at different locations in the PG&E system
can have widely varying protection requirements and
associated costs. These differences are caused by different
feeder configurations, fault duties, and the existing
protection schemes.)

The customer must install, at a minimum, a disconnecting device

or switch with load- and/or fault-interrupting capability, as needed,
at the point of interconnection.
Typically, the customer needs additional protective relays to
adequately protect the generators facility. Customers are
responsible for protecting their own systems and equipment from
faults or interruptions originating on either PG&Es side or
customers side of the interconnection.
The system-protection facilities are at the customers expense, and
must be installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with all
the applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with the
design and application requirements of this handbook.
The protective relays used in isolating the generator from the
PG&E electric system at the point of interconnection must meet
the following requirements:
2

The term high-speed, or pilot protection refers to any type of communication-assisted protection, for example,
conventional current-differential protection or direct-transfer trip application.

Please refer to Attachment 6 for the requirements for pilot protection, including the associated transfer trip equipment,
communication circuit monitoring, and the commissioning test.

May 1, 2003

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Generation
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The devices must be approved by PG&E.

The devices must be set to coordinate with the protective

relays at PG&Es line circuit breaker terminals for the line to
which the generator is connected.

Based on the proposed station configuration or the type of

interrupting device closest to the point of common coupling to
PG&Es facilities, PG&E may impose additional requirements
(i.e., the exact type and style of the protective devices) on the
customer.
Note: PG&E will coordinate with the generator or its
representatives on the installation of any
additional protective equipment that may be
required. The generator is responsible for the
costs of the additional protective equipment.
To ensure that the customers facility is adequately
protected, PG&E recommends that the customer acquire
the services of a qualified electrical engineer to review the
electrical design of the proposed generation facility.

3.6.

Manual Disconnect Switch

3.6.1.

General
The customer must provide and install a manual disconnect switch,
which PG&E will operate, to isolate PG&Es distribution system
from the customers generating facility.
To establish a visually open working clearance in accordance with
PG&Es safety rules and practices, the manual disconnect must be
opened during all maintenance and repair work. For
interconnections of 2.4 kV and above, the disconnect switch must
be located at the point of interconnection with PG&E. The
disconnect switch must be gang-operated, three-pole and lockable.
If the disconnect switch will be located on PG&Es side of the
interconnection point, PG&E must install it at the customers
expense.
If the disconnect switch will be located on the customers side, it
must be furnished and installed by the customer. If the disconnect
device is in the customers substation, it must be located on the
substations dead-end structure and have a PG&E-approved
operating platform. The customer must use only PG&E-approved
devices.
PG&E must inspect and approve the installation before parallel
operation is allowed.
The disconnect switch must not be used to make or break parallels
between the PG&E electric system and the customers generating

3-8

May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

system. The devices enclosure and operating handle (when

present) must be kept locked at all times, using PG&E padlocks.
The disconnect switch must be visible and easily accessible to
PG&E employees. When installed on the customers side of the
interconnection, the switch must be installed close to the metering.
It must be identified with a PG&E-designated switch-number
plate.
3.6.2.

Specifications
The manual disconnect switch must meet the following
requirements:

Be rated for the voltage and current requirements of the

particular installation.

Be gang-operated.

Be weatherproofed or designed to withstand exposure to

weather.

Be lockable in both the opened and closed positions with a

standard PG&E lock, except for the low-voltage (0 to
600 V), fused disconnect switches with interlocks listed in
the PG&E Engineering Document 060559, Disconnect
Switches for Interconnection with Small Power Producers
and Cogenerators. (See Attachment 3.)
The interlock feature allows the customer to open a locked,
fused disconnect switch, but not to close it, so that the
customers system can be isolated for maintenance without
PG&Es assistance. A fused disconnect switch with an
interlock must be unlocked by PG&E before it can be
closed.

3.6.3.

Low-Voltage Disconnects (0 to 600 Volts)

Low-voltage disconnect switches are rated as general duty
(240 V) and heavy duty (600 V).
PG&E-approved low-voltage disconnects are identified in
Engineering Document 060559, Disconnect Switches for
Interconnection with Small Power Producers and Cogenerators.
(See Attachment 3.)

3.6.4.

Medium-Voltage Disconnects (600 Volts to 25 kV)

PG&Es requirements for medium-voltage disconnect switches
rated up to 25 kV are specified in Engineering Document 066195,
25 kV Underarm Sidebreak Switch. (See Attachment 3.)

May 1, 2003

3-9

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

3.7.

Review and Study Requirements

For Expanded E-NET interconnection, the customer must provide PG&E
with electrical drawings for review before procuring the equipment.
The customer must provide the following drawings:

Single-line meter and relay diagrams listing the major protective

equipment.

Schematic drawings, such as 3-line alternating current (ac), and

tripping schemes (direct current [dc]) for all PG&E-required relays.

PG&E reviews all generating-facility applications for simplified

interconnection, using Rule 21s initial review process. Following the
initial review, PG&E performs a supplemental review and, if required, an
interconnection study.
3.8.

Inverter-Based Generating System

In addition to having an Underwriters Laboratories Standard UL 1741
certification, an inverter-based generating facility must meet the
non-islanding criteria specified in the CPUCs Rule 21- Generating
Facility Interconnections, which can be found at:
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/ER21.pdf or
in Attachment 11.
A PG&E-approved single inverter must meet the following criteria:

Have an Underwriters Laboratories Standard UL 1741 certification.

Be on the California Energy Commission (CEC)-eligible list. Please

refer to the following website for the CEC-eligible list:
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/buydown/eligible_inverters.html.
Or

Have met all the criteria set by the CEC Rule 21, Section J, as
tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL)
acceptable to PG&E and the test reports must have been approved
by PG&E.

3-10

May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Therefore, it is critical that the interconnecting applicant understands all

of PG&Es technical requirements before the applicant does an
engineering design or procures material.
At PG&Es discretion, noncertified inverters may be interconnected if the
applicant meets the additional requirements. The additional requirements
may include, but are not limited to, those listed in Table 3-3, Standard
Device Numbers, on Page 3-20.
3.9.

Machine-Based Generation
In addition to customer-owned generator protection (such as voltage and
frequency relays), the following equipment may be required for
machine-based generating facilities:

Phase and ground fault detection schemes to detect faults on the

PG&E system (less likely to be required for induction units). See
Notes 1 and 2 below.

An anti-islanding scheme (less likely to be required for induction

3.12.

Relay Grades
Two categories of relays are commonly used for interconnection
protection:
3.12.1.

Industrial-Grade Relays
Industrial-grade relays may be used for projects not exceeding
1,000 kW.

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May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

3.12.2.

Utility-Grade Relays
Utility-grade relays are more costly than industrial-grade relays.
For more information on utility-grade relays, please refer to
Section 4, Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection.

3.13.

System-Fault Detection And Protection

The customers equipment must be able to independently detect phase and
ground faults on the PG&E system, as specified by CPUC Rule 21 (i.e.,
sequential fault detection, where the equipment is unable to detect the
fault until after the PG&E system has been isolated, is unacceptable.) All
the required fault-detection relays must coordinate with PG&E devices, as
necessary.
In addition, the customer must ensure that the generator breakers relays
are set to have overlapping zones of protection, in case a circuit breaker
within any given zone fails to clear. The line-protection schemes must be
able to distinguish between generation, inrush, and fault current. Multiple
terminal lines are more complex to protect than single lines.
At the customers expense, existing relay schemes may have to be reset,
replaced, or augmented with additional relays to coordinate with the
customers facility.
The customer must place the PG&E-required relays at a location where a
fault on any phase of PG&Es interconnected line(s) can be detected.
If PG&E requires transfer-trip protection, the customer must provide and
pay for all the required communication circuits. A communication circuit
may be any of the following items:

A leased line from the telephone company.

A dedicated cable.

A microwave.

A fiberoptic circuit that is designed to sufficiently monitor the

critical communication channels and associated equipment.

PG&E determines the appropriate communication medium on a

case-by-case basis.
The leased phone line or dedicated communication network must have
high-voltage protection equipment on the entrance cable so that the
transfer-trip equipment will operate properly during fault conditions.
(Refer to Attachment 6 for a detailed description of the protection
requirements and the associated transfer-trip equipment and
communication-circuit monitoring.)
The PG&E distribution network system is designed to be highly reliable.
Certain load centers and customers may have multiple and/or redundant
supply sources. When there are multiple sources and paths, PG&E
requires more complex protection schemes to properly detect and isolate
the faults.

May 1, 2003

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Generation
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The addition of any new generation facility to the PG&E electric system
must not degrade the existing protection and control schemes or lower the
levels of safety and/or reliability for existing PG&E customers. For more
information on Rule 2 Description of Service, please refer to:
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/ER2.pdf or
Attachment 10.
Many parts of the PG&E electric system have provisions for an alternate
feed. However, due to protection problems, there are some locations
where PG&E does not allow generation to be online while being fed from
an alternate source.
Whenever possible, PG&E provides the owner of the generating facility
with the option of not paying for upgrades. If the owner of the generating
facility pays for the upgrades, the owners facility may stay online while
being transferred to the alternate source. However, if the owner of the
generating facility does not pay for the upgrades, PG&E has the option of
shutting down the facility while it is being transferred to an alternate
source.
3.14.

Protection and Control for Generating Facilities

The customer is responsible for providing all of the necessary protection
for its own generator. Any protection requirement stated here is intended
solely for the protection of the utility and its customers. (Please refer to
CPUC Rule 21.)
When there are multiple units of generation, the single-phase units must
be arranged and connected so that each phase of the three-phase circuit
has an equal amount of generation capacity.
All generating facilities must comply with the latest, applicable regulatory
standards for:

Waveform and power quality.

Telephone interference.

DC and harmonic injections, etc., as specified in CPUC Rule 21

(please see Attachment 11).

Please see Table 3-2, Generator-Protection Devices, for the

generator-protection equipment required to generate safely and reliably in
parallel with PG&Es electric system. PG&E will determine any
additional generator-protection requirements on a case-by-case basis.

3-14

May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Table 3-2

Generator-Protection Devices
Device
Number1

40 kW
or
Less

50/51

Overfrequency

81O

Underfrequency

81U

X
X

Generator-Protection Device
Phase Overcurrent
Overvoltage
Undervoltage

41 kW 401 kW
to
and
400 kW Larger

Ground-Fault-Sensing Scheme (Utility Grade)

51N

Overcurrent with Voltage Restraint (51V) or

Overcurrent with Voltage Control (51C)

51V
51C

Reverse-Power Relay

Direct-Transfer Trip

Notes
1. Please refer to Table 3-3, Standard Device Numbers, on Page 3-20
for device numbers, definitions, and functions.
2. When fault-detection is required, per CPUC Rule 21, the phase
overcurrent protection must be able to detect all line-end phase and
phase-fault conditions.
The generator must be equipped with a phase
instantaneous-overcurrent relay that can detect a line fault under
subtransient conditions.
The generator does not have to be equipped with a phase
instantaneous-overcurrent relay if the generator uses a 51V or 51C
relay. PG&E determines if a 51V or a 51C relay is better suited for the
specific project.
3. For generators rated at 40 kW or less, installing a contactor
undervoltage release may meet the undervoltage protection
requirement.
4. When fault detection is required, per CPUC Rule 21, a group of
generators, each of which is rated at less than 400 kW but whose
aggregate capacity is 400 kW or greater, must have an overcurrent
relay with voltage restraint (or voltage control, if determined by
PG&E) installed on each generator greater than 100 kW.
5. Depending on PG&Es circuit configuration and loading, PG&E will
determine if a generator must be equipped with a transfer trip on the
distribution-level interconnections.
6. A transfer trip must be installed if PG&E determines that there is
either one of the following conditions:

May 1, 2003

The customers system cannot detect PG&E end-of-line faults

and trip the generators within an acceptable time frame.
3-15

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

The generator is capable of keeping a PG&E line energized

when the PG&E source is disconnected. (Please see
Attachment 6.)

The following sections describe the protective and control devices that
must be installed on generators:
3.14.1.

Phase Overcurrent
Please see Table 3-3, Standard Device Numbers, on Page 3-20
(Device 50/51) for the definition and function of phase-overcurrent
relays.

3.14.2.

Over/Undervoltage Relay
The over/undervoltage relay is used to trip the generators circuit
breaker when the voltage is above or below PG&Es normal
operating level.
In the event that the generator carries load that is isolated from
PG&Es electric system, the over/undervoltage relay is used for
the generator and backup protection.
For all distribution interconnections, the undervoltage relay is set
at 88 % of the nominal voltage (106 V on the 120 V base).
The overvoltage relay is set at 110 % of the nominal voltage (132
V on the 120 V base).

3.14.3.

Over/Underfrequency Relay
The over/underfrequency relay is used to trip the generators
circuit breaker when the frequency is above or below PG&Es
normal operating level. It is used for the backup protection and
generator or turbine protection.
To maintain generation online during system disturbances, the
customer must coordinate the generators underfrequency relay
settings with those of other utilities in the Western Electricity
Coordinating Council (WECC). For more information about the
WECC, please refer to http://www.wecc.biz/main.html.
For all distribution interconnections, the underfrequency relay is
set at 58 Hz with a time delay of 30 seconds. The overfrequency
relay is set at 61 Hz with a time delay of 15 cycles (0.25 second).

3.14.4.

Ground-Fault-Sensing Scheme
The ground-fault-sensing scheme detects PG&Es power-system
ground faults and trips the generator breaker or the generators
main circuit breaker, preventing the generator from continuously
contributing to the ground fault.
The ground-fault-sensing scheme must be able to detect faults
between the PG&E systems side of the dedicated transformer and
the end of PG&Es distribution circuit.

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May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

The following types of transformer connections, provided with the

appropriate relaying equipment, are commonly used to detect
system ground faults:

System-side grounded wye; generator-side delta

System-side grounded wye; generator-side wye;

tertiary delta

When a transformer is delta-connected on the system side to the

distribution system, PG&E recommends a separate grounding
transformer, in addition to the appropriate relaying equipment.
When a transformer is connected grounded-wye on the system side
to a 3-wire distribution system, the generator must be equipped
with a single-phase potential transformer between the neutral and
ground connection, in addition to the appropriate relaying
equipment. Please see Figure 3-1, Recommended
Ground-Detection Schemes 12 kV Distribution Circuits, and
Figure 3-2, Recommended Ground-Detection Schemes 21 kV
Distribution Circuits, on Pages 3-23 and 3-24 for the typical,
distribution-level interconnection schemes.
Rule 21 specifies the limitation of a single generating facility.
Customers who have multiple units must contact PG&E in
advance.
3.14.5.

Overcurrent Relay with Voltage Restraint or Voltage Control

An overcurrent relay with voltage restraint or voltage control is
used to detect multiphase faults and initiate tripping the
generators circuit breaker.
The customer must ensure that the required relays are located on
each individual generator feeder. A group of generators that have
an aggregate rating over 400 kW must be equipped with an
overcurrent relay with voltage restraint or voltage control4 located
on each generator rated at more than 100 kW. Generators rated at,
or greater than, 400 kW must be equipped with an overcurrent
relay with voltage restraint or voltage control.
If the generators step-up transformer is connected wye-delta or
delta-wye, a delta-wye or wye-delta auxiliary potential transformer
must be installed on the potential circuits to the overcurrent relay
to allow for phase-shift correction, depending on the relays design
and operating principal.
The customer must contact the applicable PG&E representative to
find out the proper phase of the auxiliary transformers connection.

PG&E will determine the suitability of installing a relay with a voltage restraint (Device 51V) or a voltage control (Device
51C) on a case-by-cases basis, depending on the system characteristics for the specific interconnection project.

May 1, 2003

3-17

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

3.14.6.

Fault-Interrupting Devices
PG&E must review and approve all customer-selected
fault-interrupting devices.
There are two basic types of fault-interrupting devices for
distribution interconnections:

Circuit Breakers

Fuses

PG&E will determine the type of fault-interrupting device that a

customer requires based on the following factors:

The size and type of the generation.

The available fault duty.

Local circuit configuration.

The existing PG&E protection equipment.

3.14.6.1.

Circuit Breakers
A three-phase circuit breaker is the required
fault-interruption device at the point of interconnection due
to its simultaneous three-phase operation and its ability to
coordinate with PG&E line-side devices. The three-phase
circuit breaker is able to automatically separate the
generator from PG&Es electric system upon detection of a
circuit fault.
The customer may install additional circuit breakers and
protective relays, which are not required for
interconnection, in the generation facilities.
The interconnection circuit breaker must have sufficient
capacity to interrupt the maximum available fault current it
may experience and must be equipped with accessories to
perform the following functions:

3.14.6.2.

Trip the circuit breaker with an external trip signal

supplied through a battery (shunt trip).

Telemeter the circuit breaker status, if required by

PG&E.

Lock out the circuit breaker if it is operated by

protective relays.

Fuses
Fuses are single-phase, direct-acting sacrificial links that
melt to interrupt fault current and protect equipment.
The customer must replace blown fuses manually after
each fault before the facility may be returned to service.

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May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Only trained personnel may replace overhead primary

fuses.
Fuses cannot be used as the primary protection for
three-phase generation facilities because fuses:

Are single-phase devices.

Do not always melt during a fault.

Do not always automatically separate the generation

facility from PG&E.

Cannot be operated by the protective relays.

However, PG&E allows customers to use fuses as

high-side protection for the dedicated transformer at
generation facilities rated at less than 1,000 kW if the fuses
are connected to the distribution-level system, but only if
the customers protection can be coordinated with the
existing PG&E phase and ground protection.
If fuses are used, the customer should consider installing a
negative-sequence relay and/or other devices to protect the
facility against single-phase conditions. If fuses are used
for high-side transformer protection, the generator must
have a separate generator circuit breaker to isolate it from
PG&Es electric system during a fault or abnormal system
conditions.
PG&E does not allow the customer to use large primary
fuses which do not coordinate with the circuit breaker
ground relays in PG&E substations, because this may
cause all the customers on the circuit to lose power if there
is a fault inside the generating facility.
3.15.

Direct Telephone Service

The customer must obtain a direct service or a dedicated line from the
local telephone company so that PG&E can provide operating instructions
to the designated operator of the customers equipment.
The customer must place a telephone communication line for the transfer
trip in service at least three weeks before the facility is energized (please
see Attachment 6).

May 1, 2003

3-19

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Table 3-3

Standard Device Numbers

Device
Number

Definition and Function

Device
Number

Definition and Function

A speed-of-frequency
matching device functions to
match and hold the speed or
the frequency of a machine or
of a system equal to, or
approximately equal to, that of
another machine, source, or
system.

An instantaneous overcurrent
or rate-of-rise relay indicates a
fault in the apparatus or circuit
that is being protected, when
there is an excessive value of
current, or an excessive rate of
current rise.

A distance relay functions

when the circuit admittance,
impedance, or reactance
increases or decreases beyond
predetermined limits.

An ac time overcurrent relay

has either a definite or inversetime characteristic that
functions when the current in an
ac circuit exceeds a
predetermined value.

Synchronizing and
synchronism-check devices
permit two alternating current
(ac) circuits to be paralleled
when they are within the
desired limits of frequency,
phase angle, and voltage.

An ac circuit breaker is used

to close or interrupt an ac
power circuit under normal
conditions or to interrupt a
circuit under fault or emergency
conditions.

An undervoltage relay
functions on a given value of
undervoltage.

An overvoltage relay functions

on a given value of overvoltage.

A reverse-power relay
functions on a reverse-power
flow at a given set point.

A voltage-balance relay
operates on a given difference
in voltage between two circuits.

A reverse-phase or
phase-balance current relay
functions when the polyphase
currents are of reverse-phase
sequence, or when the
polyphase currents are
unbalanced or contain negative
phase-sequence components
exceeding a given amount.

A current-balance relay
operates on a given difference
in the current input or output of
two circuits.

A phase-sequence voltage
relay functions on a
predetermined value of
polyphase voltage in the
desired phase sequence.

A time-delay stopping, or
opening, relay delays a
shutdown, stopping, or opening
operation in an automatic
sequence initiated by another
device.

3-20

May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Table 3-3

Standard Device Numbers, continued

Device
Number

Definition and Function

Device
Number

Definition and Function

An ac directional-overcurrent
relay functions on a desired
value of ac overcurrent flowing
in a predetermined direction.

A differential-protective relay
functions on a percentage of
the phase angle or other
quantitative difference between
two currents or by other
electrical quantities.

An ac reclosing relay controls

the automatic reclosing and
locking out of a circuit
interrupter.

A regulating device regulates

a quantity, or quantities, such
as voltage, current, power,
speed, temperature, frequency,
and load, at a certain value or
between certain limits for
machines, tie lines, or other
apparatus.

A frequency relay functions on

a predetermined value of
frequency either under or over
the normal system frequency or
the normal rate of frequency
change.

A tripping or trip-free relay

functions to:

Table 3-4

Trip a circuit breaker,

contactor, or the equipment.
Permit immediate tripping by
other devices.
Prevent the immediate
reclosure of a circuit
interrupter if it opens
automatically, even when its
closing circuit is kept closed.

Industrial-Grade Relays for Generation Application1

Manufacturer
Arga

Square D

PRS 250

Synchronizing
Relays
(25)
Undervoltage
Relay
(27)

Basler Electric

6-327

BE4-27

PR-201-UV

BE4-51

Nondirectional
Overcurrent Relay
(50/51)
Overvoltage Relay
(59)

6-327

BE4-59

PR-101-OV

Frequency Relay
(Under/Over)
( 81U/O)

6-328

BE4-81-O/U

R-101-OUF

Overcurrent Relay
(51N,V,C)
1

For utility-grade relays, please see Table 6-3, Utility-Grade Relays for Generation Application, on
Page 6-9.

May 1, 2003

3-21

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Notes
1. Customers may install industrial-grade relays only on projects that are
greater than 10 kW or less than or equal to 1 MW and are
interconnected to distribution circuits.
2. Relays used in a ground fault-detection scheme must be utility grade.
3. The above table contains information regarding products,
manufacturers, and representatives. This table is not all-inclusive. The
inclusion or omission of a product, manufacturer, or representative is
not meant to be an indication of the quality or reliability of a product
or service. No endorsements or warranties are implied.
Other types of relays may be acceptable, but PG&E must review and
approve the certified test results performed by an independent party
acceptable to PG&E before the facility may be installed and released
for commercial operation.
Contact PG&Es System Protection department for the test
specifications for each relay.

3-22

May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection
3-Wire Systems, Service Transformer Connected Wye on 12 kV Side

Connect a 12 kV-240 V distribution transformer (or a 12 kV-120 V potential transformer [PT])

between the neutral and ground; load the secondary with a 13 resistor, and an overvoltage
relay.
For 12 kV-240 V:
Turns ratio, N = 12,000 = 50
240
Maximum secondary voltage, V3 = 12,000 = 138.5 V
3 (50)
Short time ratings for resistor and transformer:
V2 = 138.52 = 1,477 W (or VA)
R
13
12 kV

Service Transformer

Generator

12 kV-240 V

59
N

Overvoltage (with third

harmonic filter) IAV51 relay
or equivalent

3-Wire Systems, Service Transformer Connected Delta on 12 kV Side

Install 3 PTs or distribution transformers, 12 kV-240 V, 1.0 kVA or larger, on 12 kV side as shown
below. Connect a 13 resistor across the broken delta.
For 12 kV-240 V:
Turns ratio, N = 12,000 = 100
120
Normal secondary voltage, Vn = 12,000 = 69.3 V
3 (100)
Maximum voltage across delta, Vd = 3 x 69.3 = 208 V (minimum relay voltage rating)
Short time ratings for resistor and transformer:
Resistor W = V2 = 2082 = 3,328*
R
13
Transformer VA = 120 208 = 1920 (each)*
13
*1,000 W continuous rated resistor and 1.0 kVA transformer will be adequate.
12 kV

Service Transformer

Generator
3 PTs
12 kV-240 V

R
13
59
N

Figure 3-1
Recommended Ground Detection Schemes
12 kV Distribution Circuits

May 1, 2003

3-23

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection
4-Wire System, Service Transformer Connected Ground Wye on 21 kV Side
21 kV

Service Transformer

Generator

Neutral

51
G

* CT ratio to be selected according to ground fault currents for the location.

4-Wire System, Service Transformer Connected Delta on 21 kV Side

21 kV

Service Transformer

Generator
Neutral

Ground Bank*

51
G

Overcurrent, CO-9 relay

or equivalent

* Ground bank to be sized to limit overvoltages to 1.15 of normal.

Figure 3-2
Recommended Ground Detection Schemes
21 kV Distribution Circuits

3.16.

Metering Requirements
E-NET installations are generally designed to operate in parallel with the
PG&E system.
The disconnect requirements are specified by PG&E. Please see
Engineering Document 060559, Disconnect Switches For
Interconnection With Small Power Producers And Cogenerators, located
in Attachment 3.

3-24

May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

As specified in Rule 21, the customer is required to have an accessible

disconnect switch that may be locked in the open position. The disconnect
switch must be located 10 feet or less from the main utility meter panel
and must be observable from the panel.
Generators operating under the Standard E-NET program may deliver
power to PG&E only during certain periods.
In accordance with the CPUC-approved tariff, customers that meet the
following conditions may use a meter without a detent to net the usage
(net kWh = kWh usage kWh generation):

The facility is rated at or less than 1 MW.

The facility connects to PG&Es secondary-service voltage.

The facility meets PG&Es E-NET rate schedule.

Only electromechanical or solid-state programmable revenue meters are

used for E-NET interconnection.
Customers who are participating in the Expanded E-NET program are
responsible for ensuring that the metering panels satisfy the necessary
revenue-metering requirements.
In the event that the installation of a dual meter-socket adapter is
necessary, the customer is required to have adequate meter working space.
The meter working space is defined as an area in front of the meter or the
meter enclosure. The purpose of the meter working space is to provide
safe access to the metering equipment.
The meter working space must be:

Clear and level.

At least 36 inches by 30 inches in area.

Kept clear of debris and unobstructed at all times.

Located so that the centerline of the meter is at least 10 inches from

any adjacent sidewall or other protruding obstruction.

Located so there is no intrusion by landscaping, structures, or stored

material.

Installed meters must also satisfy the height requirements specified in

Table 3-5 on Page 3-26.

May 1, 2003

3-25

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Table 3-5

Meter Height Requirements

Installed Meters

Height Requirement

Individual, field-installed meter panels (i.e.

not part of an assembly, such as a
switchboard).

A minimum of 48 inches to a maximum of

66 inches as measured from the centerline
of the meter to the standing surface.

Free-standing, manufactured, meter-panel

enclosures, multimeter panels, or
assemblies where a minimum of a 36-inch
to a maximum of a 75-inch socket is
placed in a factory-assembled structure
(e.g. meter pedestal).

Please refer to the Electric and Gas

Service Requirements manual
(Greenbook)

Agricultural and other pole-mounted

services.

The height from the ground to the top of

the meter-socket enclosure must be 72
inches. However, the meter height may be
reduced to 48 inches if the
service-entrance conduit attached to the
pole is made of galvanized, rigid steel or
PVC Schedule 40, and at least 2 inches in
diameter.

Customers wishing to export power to the grid are not permitted to

participate in the E-NET program and will be placed in another
appropriate rate schedule.
The inadvertent generation of excess power from an E-NET customer is
typically measured and recorded by a bidirectional meter.
3.17.

Telemetering Requirements
If the meter is read via a telephone line, the customer is responsible for
installing the line and establishing service. If a land line is unavailable and
cellular signals are acceptable, a cellular phone may be used.
If the meters telephone line cannot be dedicated to the meter, the
customer, with approval from PG&Es local metering group, may arrange
to use a line sharing switch.
The telephone-line termination in switchboards, panels, pole-mounted
meters, and pedestals must be located as follows:

Within 5 circuit-feet of the centerline of the meter.

Between a minimum of 18 inches and a maximum of 72 inches

above the finished grade.

When cellular phones are used, the same location requirements apply to
the power supply when measured from the load side of the meter and
located outside PG&Es sealable section.

3-26

May 1, 2003

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

3.18.

Ground Potential Rise

The customer is responsible for determining the ground potential rise
(GPR) for a line to ground power fault. The GPR value determines what
grade of high-voltage protection equipment is required for the telephone
cable, as well as the minimum, required dielectric strength of the
cable-insulating jacket.
To calculate the GPR, the customer needs to have the highest calculated
fault current (provided by PG&E), X/R ratio, and the ground resistance
(provided by the customer).
When the customers generation units increase in aggregate nameplate
rating, the customer must recalculate the GPR. For specific information,
consult the responsible telecommunications engineer.

3.19.

Communication
PG&E may require that communication circuits be installed to provide
protection, Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), and voice
communications between PG&E and the customers generation facilities.
The customer is responsible for the monthly costs and the costs associated
with the installation of EMS, SCADA and protection circuits. In addition,
the customer is responsible for the costs incurred by PG&E personnel
while involved in assisting the telephone company personnel in making
repairs to the leased circuits.
When external communication circuits are installed, the responsible party
must ensure that the high-voltage protection (HVP) on these circuits and
related equipment meets all the applicable standards.

3.20.

Operation Requirements
If the unit is equipped with a disconnect switch, that switch must be
accessible to PG&Es employees. When maintenance or other work
procedures are scheduled, this disconnect switch may have to be opened
and locked for the protection of PG&E employees.
3.20.1.

Normal Voltage Operating Range

PG&E may have specific operating-voltage ranges for larger
generating facilities (larger than 11 kVA), and may require
adjustable operating-voltage settings for these larger systems.
In the absence of such requirements, the operating window must
be set up in a way that minimizes nuisance tripping and ranges
between 88% and 110% of the appropriate interconnection
voltage.
To minimize the adverse voltage effects experienced by other
customers on PG&Es electric system, any voltage flicker at the
point of common coupling (PCC) caused by the generating facility

May 1, 2003

3-27

Generation
Expanded E-NET Interconnection

must not exceed the limits defined by the Maximum Borderline

of Irritation Curve shown in the Institute of Electrical Engineers
(IEEE) 519.
3.20.2.

Limits Specific to Single-Phase Generating Facilities

The maximum capacity for single-phase generating facilities
connected to a shared, single-phase secondary must not exceed
20 kVA.
Customers must install a 240 V service for generating facilities
with a center-tap neutral so that no more than 6 kVA of imbalance
capacity exists between the two sides of the 240 V service.

3-28

May 1, 2003

Generation

Section 4
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

4.1.

Introduction
Rule 21, Generating Facility Interconnections, describes the
interconnection, operating, and metering requirements for retail customers
who want to connect their generating facilities to PG&Es distribution
system, which is under the jurisdiction of the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC).
PG&E allows interconnection of generating facilities with its distribution
system if the customer meets all the requirements of Rule 21.
Rule 21-Generating Facility Interconnections, which can be found at:
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/ER21.pdf or
in Attachement 11, defines the interconnection process for customers who
install generators, including solar, wind, or conventional gas-fired
generators, on their premises to offset their loads.
Rule 21-type generators operate in parallel with PG&Es electric
distribution grid system.
The cost of interconnecting a generating facility with PG&Es system can
be affected by variables such as the circuit loading, the location, and the
size and type of the generating facility.
For more information on Rule 21 generators and the interconnection
process, please refer to PG&Es website
http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/retail_gen_rule_21.shtml.

4.2.

Application and Agreements

4.2.1.

Application Form/Fees
Customers who want to interconnect under the provisions of Rule
21 must fill out a Generating Facility Interconnection
Application (Form No. 79-974 in Attachment 12), and follow the
process set forth in the form.
The application must include the following.

A check for $800.

Any supporting documents.

A completed application form.

The application package must be sent to PG&E by registered U.S.

mail to the following address:

May 1, 2003

4-1

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Attn: Generation Interconnection Services Section (GIS)
Mail Code B13J
P.O. Box 770000k
San Francisco, CA 94177
Or, by email to: [email protected].
4.2.2.

Application Completeness
PG&E has 10 days, from the day of the receipt of the application,
to check if the applicant has provided complete information.
A completed application includes the following:

An initial review fee of $800.

The project name and location.

A single-line drawing of the project.

The generator type, size, and data.

A listing of protective devices.

The type and mode of the disconnect switch.

Please note that an electronic application is not complete until

PG&E receives a check for $800, made payable to Pacific Gas and
Electric Company.
4.2.3.

Initial Review
If PG&E deems that the application is complete, PG&E has 10
business days to perform the initial review.
At any time that PG&E deems the application incomplete, the
10-day clock for the initial review phase stops. However, as soon
as the applicant provides the missing information and PG&E
deems the application complete, a new 10-day clock starts.
If PG&E determines that the application qualifies for a simplified
interconnection, PG&E will provide a written description of the
requirements, as well as the agreements described in Section 4.3.
(Rule 21 Agreement on Page 4-4).

4.2.4.

Supplemental Review
During the initial review, if PG&E determines that the application
does not qualify for a simplified interconnection, PG&E will
perform a supplemental review.
PG&E will provide one of the following items after the
supplemental review:

4-2

The interconnection requirements beyond those for

simplified interconnection.

A cost estimate and schedule for an interconnection study.

May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

The applicant must submit to PG&E a supplemental review fee of

$600 within 10 calendar days after the completion of the
supplemental review.
If a supplemental review is required, PG&E must complete the
review within 20 business days of the receipt of a completed
application.
For more details, please see Rule 21 (Attachment 11).
4.2.5.

Interconnection Study
After the initial or supplemental review, if PG&E determines that a
detailed interconnection study is necessary, PG&E will offer an
agreement that sets forth the following:

The nature and scope of the studies.

The facility design and engineering work to be performed.

This agreement will provide cost estimates for the fixed price or
actual cost billing options.
4.2.6.

Single-Line Diagram and Project Details

A single-line diagram must accompany the application. Some
drawings with complex designs may require a Professional
Engineering Stamp or C10 license.
For an example of a single-line diagram, please refer to
Attachment 3.
In the interest of assisting PG&E in its goal to deliver safe,
uniform service, use the following guidelines for transmitting
electronic drawing files for architectural, mechanical, and civil site
plans:

May 1, 2003

The PG&E electronic drawing tool is AutoCAD R14, .DWG

format. All submitted electronic drawings must be
completely readable and compatible with AutoCAD release
12 or above.

Drawings should be sent on 3.5-inch diskettes, CDs, or as

attached email files.

The Pack & Go feature of AutoCAD should be used, if

available.

Drawings for large projects should be sent in a zipped

format.

The use of layering is encouraged and should be preserved

when transferring files to PG&E.

All drawings should be saved in model space instead of

paper space.

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Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Drawing plans should be two dimensional, with the Z

elevation at zero.

Any External Reference Files (Xref) or drawing updates

should maintain a consistent insertion point.

All related drawing files should be included.

For more information, please contact the local PG&E

representative.
4.3.

Rule 21 Agreement
Generator interconnection projects under the provisions of Rule 21
generally require one or more of the following agreements. Copies of
these forms can be found in Attachment 12.
4.3.1.

Generating Facility Interconnection Agreement (GFIA) (Form

79-973)
The GFIA is a CPUC-approved standard agreement that provides
for the customer to interconnect and operate its generating facility
in parallel with PG&Es distribution system and establishes an
ongoing business relationship between the customer and PG&E,
including operating and communication protocols.

4.3.2.

Customer Generation Agreement (CGA) (Third-Party

Generator On Premises) (Non-Exporting) (Form 79-992)
The CGA is a CPUC-approved standard agreement that allows the
customer to have a third party install, operate, and maintain an
ownership interest in a generating facility on the customers
premises.
This agreement provides for the interconnection and operation of
the generating facility in parallel with PG&Es distribution system
and establishes an ongoing business relationship between the
customer and PG&E, including operating and communication
protocols.
The customer must complete the CGA along with the Generating
Facility Interconnection Agreement (Third Party Non-Exporting)
(Form 79-988), which is between the third-party generator and
PG&E.

4.3.3.

Generating Facility Interconnection Agreement (GFIA) (Third

Party Non-Exporting) (Form 79-988)
The GFIA (Third Party Non-Exporting) is a CPUC-approved
standard agreement that allows the customer to have a third-party
install, operate, and maintain an ownership interest in a generating
facility on the customers premises.

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Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

This agreement provides for the interconnection and operation of

the generating facility in parallel with PG&Es distribution system
and establishes an ongoing business relationship between the third
party and PG&E, including operating and communication
protocols.
The customer must complete the GFIA along with the Customer
Generation Agreement (Third-Party Generator On Premises)
(Non-Exporting) (Form 79-992), which is between the customer
and PG&E.
4.3.4.

Special Facilities Agreement (SFA) (Form 79-280)

The SFA is a CPUC-approved standard agreement between PG&E
and the customer. It specifies the cost of the interconnection
facilities that PG&E will construct, own, and maintain.

4.3.5.

Standby Service Agreement (SSA) (Form 79-285)

The SSA is a CPUC-approved standard agreement to provide
standby service to a customer who requires PG&E to reserve the
capacity to deliver electricity on an irregular or noncontinuous
basis.

4.3.6.

Natural Gas Service Agreement (NGSA) (Form 79-756)

The NGSA is a standard agreement for electric generation
customers who qualify for schedule G-EG (Gas Transportation
Service to Electric Generation and Cogeneration Facilities) and
for service under schedule G-COG (Gas Transportation Service to
Cogeneration Facilities).

4.3.7.

Other Agreements
The following are other agreements that may be applicable:

Agreement to Perform Tariff Schedule Related Work

(Form 62-4527)
This is a standard agreement to perform work at the request
of others.

Electric Rule 15/16 Agreements (in various forms)

These are standard agreements to install new facilities or
upgrade existing facilities to accommodate new
electric-service requirements.

Gas Rule 15/16 Agreements (in various forms)

These are standard agreements to install new facilities or
upgrade existing facilities to accommodate new gas-service
requirements.

May 1, 2003

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Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Before interconnection, all applicants must sign the

Generating Facility Interconnection Agreement (Form
79-973).
Additionally, customers who have transmission-level
generators (60 kV and above) must sign the Generation
Operating Agreement (GOA).
All additional charges and the accompanying agreement(s)
are due to PG&E before work begins on the distribution
system.
All customers who are operating generators connected in
parallel to the grid must execute a standby agreement, except
for the following three groups of customers:
1. Agricultural customers.
2. E-NET and other customers who are operating
generators connected in an open transition scheme
(break-before-make).
3. E-NET and other customers who are operating
generators connected in a closed transition scheme
(make-before-break) under 60 cycles. For more
information, please see Section 5, Portable,
Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnection.
To receive a printed copy of the materials listed above, please
contact the PG&E Generation Interconnection Hotline at (415)
972-5676 or send an email to [email protected].
4.3.8.

Proof of Insurance Coverage

As applicable, please refer to Section 8 of Form 79-973 or 79-988
in Attachment 12.

4.4.

Approved Building Permit

PG&E requires proof from the applicant that the installation has passed a
building inspection conducted by local authorities.

4.5.

Preparallel Inspection
PG&E will perform a final inspection of the system before operation. This
allows PG&E to ensure that the system has been installed in accordance
with the originally submitted specifications.
After the inspection, the customer will receive written approval from
PG&E to operate the system in parallel with PG&Es grid.
Note: The system must not be operated until the customer
has received a written approval from PG&E.

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May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

4.6.

Timeline
Table 4-1 below outlines the time frames of the review and approval
process:

Table 4-1

Review and Approval Process Time Frames

Timeline
10 days

Review
Application Completeness
PG&E must verify that the following items are received
before conducting the initial review:
$800 initial review fee
The following information is provided with sufficient
detail:
The project name and location.
A single-line drawing.
The generator type, size, and data.
A list of protective devices.
The type and mode of a disconnect switch.

10 days

Initial Review
Engineering review using the Initial Review Process.
Please see Sample of the Initial Review Process, in
Attachment 5.

10 additional days, total of Supplemental Review Process

4.7.

Interconnection Study
PG&E will determine the timeline and the cost for an
interconnection study on a case-by-case basis.

Fees/Charges
The following fees are charged for reviews:

Initial Review $800

Supplemental Review (if required) $600

Interconnection Study (if required) PG&E determines the fee on a

case-by-case basis.

Please note that up to $5,000 of the review and/or study fees will be
waived for solar-generating facilities up to 1 MW that do not export
power to the grid.

May 1, 2003

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Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

4.8.

Technical Requirements
The specific requirements of this section apply on a case-by-case basis to
any retail generation customers who do not meet one or more of the
simplified interconnections criteria set by the California Energy
Commission (CEC) Rule 21, here referred to as CPUC Rule
21-Generating Facility Interconnections. See Attachment 11.
4.8.1.

Interconnection Requirements
When interconnecting facilities to the PG&E distribution system, it
is important to minimize the potential hazard to life and property.
A basic safety rule requires automatic detection and isolation of
abnormal system troubles within a reasonable time.
Important system troubles are fault conditions, such as a short
circuit.

4.8.2.

Protection and Control Requirements

Interconnection of a new facility to the PG&E distribution system
must not degrade any of the existing PG&E protection and control
schemes nor lower the existing levels of safety and reliability to
other customers.
Also, as a general rule, neither PG&E nor the customer should
depend on the other for the protection of their respective
equipment. PG&Es protection requirements are designed and
intended to protect the PG&E electric system only1.
In view of these objectives, PG&E requires that the protective
equipment be able to automatically detect and rapidly isolate faulty
equipment. Therefore, the application and implementation of
interconnection protection must limit interruptions only to the
faulty equipment or section, so that a minimum number of
customers are affected by any outage.
The customer may need to install high-speed protective equipment
to rapidly isolate trouble and to minimize equipment damage and
the potential impact to system stability.
PG&E will determine, on a case-by-case basis, if the customer
needs high-speed fault clearing.
Some of the interconnection protection requirements are discussed
in Section 3.9. Machine-Based Generation, on Page 3-11. PG&E
performs system studies to determine, on a case-by-case basis, if
the system configurations or types of generating facilities need
additional protection requirements.
The specific requirements for interconnection depend on the
following factors:

The generator size and type.

Please refer to CPUC Rule 21 for additional information.

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May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

The number of generators.

Feeder characteristics (i.e., voltage, impedance, and

ampacity).

The ability of the existing protective equipment at the local

The customer must install, at a minimum, a disconnecting device

or switch with load- and/or fault-interrupting capability, as needed,
at the point of interconnection.
Typically, the customer needs additional protective relays to
adequately protect the generating facility. Customers are
responsible for protecting their own systems and equipment from
faults or interruptions originating on either PG&Es side or the
customers side of the interconnection.
The system protection facilities are at the customers expense, and
must be installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with all
the applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with the
design and application requirements of this handbook.
The protective relays used in isolating the generator from the
PG&E electric system at the point of interconnection must meet
the following requirements:

The devices must be approved by PG&E.

The devices must be set to coordinate with the protective

relays at PG&Es line circuit breaker terminals for the line to
which the generator is connected.

Based on the proposed station configuration or the type of

interrupting device closest to the point of common coupling (PCC)
to PG&Es facilities, PG&E may impose additional requirements
(i.e., the exact type and style of the protective devices) on the
customer.
Note: PG&E will coordinate with the generator or its
representatives on the installation of any
additional protective equipment that may be
required. The generator is responsible for the
costs of the additional protective equipment.
To ensure that the customers facility is adequately
protected, PG&E recommends that the customer acquire
the services of a qualified electrical engineer to review the
electrical design of the proposed generation facility.

May 1, 2003

4-9

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

4.9.

Manual Disconnect Switch

4.9.1.

General
A generator must be equipped with a manual disconnect switch.
As a means of electrically isolating PG&Es electric system from
the customers systems, the customer must provide a
PG&E-operated disconnect device. To establish a visually open
working clearance, in accordance with PG&Es safety rules and
practices, the manual disconnect must be opened during all
maintenance and repair work.
For interconnections of 2.4 kV and above, the disconnect switch
must be located at the point of interconnection with PG&E. The
disconnect switch must be gang-operated, three-pole, and lockable.
If the disconnect switch will be located on PG&Es side of the
interconnection point, PG&E must install it at the customers
expense.
If the disconnect switch will be located on the customers side, it
must be furnished and installed by the customer. If the disconnect
device is in the customers substation, it must be located on the
substations dead-end structure and have a PG&E-approved
operating platform. The customer must use only PG&E-approved
devices.
PG&E must inspect and approve the installation before parallel
operation is allowed.
The disconnect switch must not be used to make or break parallels
between PG&Es electric system and the customers power system.
The devices enclosure and operating handle (when present) must
be locked at all times, using PG&Es padlocks.
The disconnect switch must be visible and easily accessible to
PG&E employees. When installed on the customers side of the
interconnection, the switch must be installed close to the metering.
It must be identified with a PG&E-designated switch-number
plate.

4.9.2.

Specifications
The manual disconnect switch must meet the following
requirements:

4-10

Be rated for the voltage and current requirements of the

particular installation.

Be gang-operated.

Be weatherproofed or designed to withstand exposure to

weather.

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Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Be lockable in both the opened and closed positions with a

standard PG&E lock, except for the low-voltage (0 to
600 V), fused disconnect switches with interlocks listed in
the PG&E Engineering Document 060559, Disconnect
Switches for Interconnection with Small Power Producers
and Cogenerators. (See Attachment 3)
The interlock feature allows the customer to open a locked,
fused disconnect switch, but not to close it, so that the
customers system can be isolated for maintenance without
PG&Es assistance. A fused disconnect switch with an
interlock must be unlocked by PG&E before it can be
closed.

4.9.3.

Low-Voltage Disconnects (0 to 600 Volts)

Low-voltage disconnect switches are rated as general duty
(240 V) and heavy duty (600 V).
PG&E-approved, low-voltage disconnects are identified in
Engineering Document 060559. (See Attachment 3)

4.9.4.

Medium-Voltage Disconnects (600 Volts to 25 kV)

PG&Es requirements for medium voltage disconnect switches
rated up to 25 kV are specified in Engineering Document 066195
25 kV Underarm Sidebreak Switch. (See Attachment 3).

4.10.

Review and Study Requirements

The customer must provide PG&E with electrical drawings for review
before procuring the equipment.
The customer must provide the following drawings:

Single-line meter and relay diagrams listing the major protective

equipment.

Schematic drawings, such as 3-line alternating current (ac), and

tripping schemes (direct current [dc]) for all PG&E-required relays.

PG&E will review both the inverter-based and machine-based generators

for simplified interconnection and, if needed, PG&E will perform an
additional interconnection study.
4.11.

Inverter-Based Generating System

May 1, 2003

4-11

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

A PG&E-approved single inverter must meet the following criteria:

Have an Underwriters Laboratories Standard UL 1741 certification.

Be on the California Energy Commission (CEC)-eligible list. Please

refer to the following website for the CEC-eligible list:
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/buydown/eligible_inverters.html.
Or

Have met all the criteria set by the CEC Rule 21, Section J, as
tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL)
acceptable to PG&E and the test reports must have been approved
by PG&E.

PG&E requires additional testing for multiple units unless the generator
has received an earlier approval.
Separate single-unit or multiple-unit inverters that do not meet
Underwriters Laboratories Standard UL1741 or have not been adequately
tested will not be granted commercial operation status and the customer is
not permitted to interconnect to the system.
PG&E reserves the right to disconnect previously certified interconnected
units when Underwriters Laboratories (UL) decertifies the units. PG&E
may implement an acceptable mitigation procedure for recertification at
the customers expense.
Therefore, it is critical that the interconnecting applicant understands all
of PG&Es technical requirements before the applicant does an
engineering design or procures material.
At PG&Es discretion, noncertified inverters may be interconnected if the
applicant meets the additional requirements. The additional requirements
may include, but are not limited to, those listed in Table 3-3, Standard
Device Numbers, on Page 3-20.
4.12.

Machine-Based Generation
In addition to the standard generator protection (such as voltage and
frequency relays), the following equipment may be required for
machine-based generating facilities.

Phase and ground fault-detection schemes to detect faults on the

The customer must provide PG&E with test reports (Form G2-2, Relay
Test Report, in Attachment 12) for the particular types of protective
devices applied as outlined in Table 4-2, Generator-Protection Devices,
on Page 4-18, before PG&E will allow the facility to parallel.
When the customer uses tele-protection (protection provided via
telephone), the customer must ensure that the communication circuits are
tested. The customer must also verify that the schemes operation is
operating properly before a generating facility may be released for
commercial operation. Testing for communication-assisted protection
includes end-to-end satellite testing and verifying the communication
between the interconnected terminals. Please see Attachment 6,
Telemetering and Transfer Trip, for more information.
Generation customers should refer to Section 4.5., Preparallel
Inspection, on Page 4-6, for information regarding preparallel
inspections, and to Attachment 6 for information about
communication-assisted line protection.
Every four years, after the initial testing, the customer must submit written
test reports from a qualified testing firm to PG&E, documenting that the
relays are operable and within calibration. PG&E does not test the
customers equipment, but may witness testing performed by the qualified
testing firm retained by the customer.
On-site power (typically 120 V) is required for the test equipment. Every
eight years, following the preparallel inspection, the customer must test
the protection schemes circuit breakers.
Since significant equipment damage and liability can result from failures
of the customers protective equipment, the customer must ensure that all
of the facilitys protective equipment is operating properly. Please see the
Generation Operating Agreement (Attachment 12).

4.14.

Reliability and Redundancy

The customers design must include a protection system with enough
redundancy, so that the failure of any one component will still permit the
customers facility to be isolated from the PG&E electric system during a
fault condition.

May 1, 2003

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Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Multifunction, three-phase protective relays must have a redundant

back-up relay(s). The circuit breakers must be trip-tested by the customer
at least once a year.
4.15.

Relay Grades
Two categories of relays commonly used for interconnection protection
are:

Industrial-grade relays.

Utility-grade relays.

4.15.1.

Industrial-Grade Relays
Industrial-grade relays are less reliable than utility-grade relays
and may be installed only in projects up to 1,000 kW (aggregate
nameplate) that are interconnected to distribution circuits. (Please
see Table 4-4, Industrial-Grade Relays for Generation
Application, on Page 4-30.)
Please refer to the following sections for the protection
requirements for units with an individual output capacity of 100
kW and a total aggregate generation of 400 kW or larger:

4.15.2.

Table 4-2, Generator-Protection Devices, on Page 4-18

Section 4.15.2., Utility-Grade Relays

Section 4.17.5., Overcurrent Relay With Voltage Restraint

or Voltage Control, on Page 4-21

Utility-Grade Relays
Utility-grade relays, used by electric utilities, have much higher
reliability and accuracy than industrial-grade relays (please see
Table 6-3 Utility-Grade Relays for Generation Application, on
Page 6-9).
These devices typically have draw-out cases and indicating targets.
In addition, to facilitate testing and troubleshooting, these devices
are equipped with better recording capability than industrial-grade
relays.
Utility-grade relays must be installed in the following
circumstances:

4-14

In all generation facilities rated in excess of 1,000 kW

(aggregate nameplate) installed on PG&E distribution
circuits.

On all relay-based generating systems that do not meet Rule

21 requirements.

When the relays are used for a line-side,

ground-fault-detection scheme.
May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

4.15.3.

When overcurrent with voltage-restraint or

voltage-controlled relays are used for generators 400 kW or
larger, or for generators larger than 100 kW, where the
aggregate generation is greater than 400 kW.

When auxiliary relays and timers are used in the tripping

circuits of PG&E-required protection schemes.

Relays Approved by PG&E

All utility-grade relays must include relay targets that can be reset
manually.
All utility-grade relay power supplies must be powered by
station-battery dc voltage, and must include a dc-undervoltage
detection device and alarm.
The customer must submit all proposed relay specifications to
PG&E for approval before ordering the relays. The line-protection
relays must be listed on PG&Es approved list (please see
Table 6-3, Utility-Grade Relays for Generation Application, on
Page 6-9).
Generation-protection relays must meet one of the following
requirements:

Be on the PG&E-approved list. (Please see Table 6-3 on

Page 6-9).

Be tested according to Attachment 9 - Generator Protective

Relay Requirements.

The customer is responsible for the costs of any required, qualified

tests performed on the relays. These tests must be done before
PG&Es approval of the relay for interconnection use.
PG&E approval does not indicate the quality or reliability of a
product or service, and endorsements or warranties must not be
implied. If the customer wants to use a relay not on the
PG&E-approved list, the customer must allow additional time for
testing and PG&Es review and approval.
Please see the following sections for a list of PG&E-approved
relays:

May 1, 2003

Table 4-4, Industrial-Grade Relays for Generation

Application, on Page 4-30

Table 6-3 Utility-Grade Relays for Generation Application

on Page 6-9

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Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

4.16.

System Fault Detection and Protection

The customers equipment must be able to independently detect phase and
ground faults on the PG&E system, as specified by CPUC Rule 21 (i.e.,
sequential fault detection, where the equipment is unable to detect the
fault until after the PG&E system has been isolated, is unacceptable). All
required fault-detection relays must coordinate with PG&Es devices, as
necessary.
In addition, the interconnection relays must be set to provide overlapping
or coordinated protection to prevent extensive damage should an
interrupting device fail to clear when required. The line-protection
schemes must be able to distinguish between generation, inrush, and fault
current. Multiple terminal lines are more complex to protect than single
lines.
At the customers expense, the existing relay schemes may have to be
reset, replaced, or augmented with additional relays to coordinate with the
customers new facility.
The customer must place the PG&E-required relays at a location where a
fault on any phase of PG&Es interconnected line(s) can be detected.
If PG&E requires transfer-trip protection, the customer must provide and
pay for all the required communication circuits and equipment based on
the protection studies.
The following are examples of a communication circuit:

A leased line from the telephone company.

A dedicated cable.

A circuit on a microwave system.

A fiberoptic circuit that is designed to sufficiently monitor critical

communication channels and associated equipment.

PG&E determines the appropriate communication medium to use on a

case-by-case basis.
The leased telephone line or dedicated communication network must have
high-voltage protection equipment on the entrance cable so the
transfer-trip equipment can operate properly during fault conditions.
(Please refer to Attachment 6 for a detailed description of the protection
requirements and the associated transfer-trip equipment and
communications circuit monitoring.)
The PG&E distribution network system is designed to be highly reliable.
Certain load centers and customers may have multiple and/or redundant
supply sources. When there are multiple sources and paths, PG&E may
require more complex protection schemes to properly detect and isolate
faults.

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Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

The addition of any new generation facility to the PG&E electric system
must not degrade the existing protection and control schemes or lower the
levels of safety and/or reliability for existing PG&E customers. For more
information, please refer to Rule 2 Description of Service at:
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/ER2.pdf or
Attachement 10.
Many parts of the PG&E electric system have provisions for an alternate
feed. However, due to protection problems, there are some locations
where PG&E does not allow generation to be online while being fed from
an alternate source.
Whenever possible, PG&E provides the customer with the option of not
paying for upgrades. If the customer pays for the required upgrades, the
customers facility may stay online while being transferred to the alternate
source. However, if the customer does not pay for the upgrades, PG&E
has the option of shutting down the facility instead of transferring it to an
alternate source.
4.17.

Protection and Control for Generating Facilities

The customer is responsible for providing all of the necessary protection
for its own generator. Any protection requirement listed here is intended
solely for the protection of the utility and its customers. (Please see
CPUC Rule 21 in Attachment 11.)
Single-phase generators are connected in multiple units so that an equal
amount of generation capacity is applied to each phase of a three-phase
circuit.
All generating facilities must comply with the latest, applicable regulatory
standards for:

Waveform and power quality.

Telephone interference.

DC and harmonic injections, etc., as specified in CPUC Rule 21

(please see Attachment 11).

Synchronous generators, regardless of the generating capacity, must be

equipped with an acceptable synchronization method, as specified in
subsequent sections of this document. Synchronous generators may be
subjected to reclose blocking schemes on one or more of PG&Es
automatic reclosing devices.
Please see Table 4-2 on Page 4-18 for the protection equipment that is
required to operate a generator safely and reliably in parallel with PG&Es
electric system.
PG&E will determine any additional generator-protection requirements on
a case-by-case basis.

May 1, 2003

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Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Table 4-2

Generator-Protection Devices
Device1
Number

40 kW
or
Less

50/51

Overfrequency

81O

Underfrequency

81U

51N

51V
51C

Generator-Protection Device
Phase Overcurrent
Overvoltage
Undervoltage

Ground-Fault-Sensing Scheme (Utility Grade)

Overcurrent with Voltage Restraint (51V) or
Overcurrent with Voltage Control (51C)

41 kW 401 kW
to
and
400 kW Larger

Reverse-Power Relay

Direct-Transfer Trip

Notes
1. Please refer to Table 4-3, Standard Device Numbers, on Page 4-29
for device numbers, definitions, and functions.
2. When fault-detection is required, per CPUC Rule 21, the phase
overcurrent protection must be able to detect all line-end phase and
phase-fault conditions.
The generator must be equipped with a phase
instantaneous-overcurrent relay that can detect a line fault under
subtransient conditions.
The generator does not have to be equipped with a phase
instantaneous-overcurrent relay if the generator uses a 51V or 51C
relay. PG&E determines if a 51V or a 51C relay is better suited for the
specific project.
3. For generators rated at 40 kW or less, installing a contactor
undervoltage release may meet the undervoltage protection
requirement.
4. If CPUC Rule 21 requires fault protection, the ground-fault detection
is required for any noncertified inverter-based, induction, or
synchronous generating facility.
Synchronous generators with an aggregate generation over 40 kW and
induction generators with an aggregate generation over 100 kW
require ground-fault detection.
5. When CPUC Rule 21 requires fault protection, a group of generators,
each less than 400 kW but whose aggregate capacity is 400 kW or
greater, must have an overcurrent-relay with voltage restraint (or
voltage control, if determined by PG&E) installed on each generator
rated greater than 100 kW.

4-18

May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

For nonexport generating facilities operating under the proper system

conditions, and having a finite minimum import (excluding any
possibility of an incidental or an inadvertent export), a set of three
single-phase, very sensitive reverse-power relays, along with the
dedicated transformer, may be used in lieu of ground-fault protection.
PG&E prefers that the relay be set as an under-power element. As
specified by CPUC Rule 21, the relay can be set at 5% of the customers
minimum import power (despite the generators maximum output) for
each phase, to trip the main circuit breaker at a maximum time delay of 2
seconds.
As a reverse-power element, the relay must be set for 0.1% of the
transformer rating with a time delay of 2 seconds, as specified by the
CPUC Rule 21.
PG&E determines, based on PG&Es circuit configuration and loading, if
the distribution-level interconnections require transfer-trip protection.
A transfer-trip relay is required if PG&E determines that a generation
facility cannot detect and trip on PG&Es end-of-line faults within an
acceptable time frame, or if PG&E determines that the generation facility
is capable of keeping a PG&E line energized with the PG&E source
disconnected (please see Attachment 6).
The sections below describe the required protective and control devices
for generators.
4.17.1.

Phase Overcurrent
Please see Table 4-3, Standard Device Numbers, on Page 4-29
(Device 50/51) for the definition and function of the
phase-overcurrent relays.

4.17.2.

Over/Undervoltage Relay
The over/undervoltage relay is used to trip the interrupting device
when the voltage is above or below PG&Es normal operating
level.
In the event that the generator carries load that is isolated from
PG&Es electric system, the over/undervoltage relay is used for
generator and backup protection.
For all distribution interconnections, the undervoltage relay is set
for 88% of the nominal voltage (106 V on the 120 V base) unless
system conditions require otherwise.
The overvoltage relay is set for 110% of the nominal voltage (132
V on the 120 V base).

4.17.3.

Over/Underfrequency Relay
The over/underfrequency relay is used to trip the interrupting
device when the frequency is above or below PG&Es normal

May 1, 2003

4-19

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

operating level. It is used for generator or turbine protection and

backup protection.
To maintain generation online during system disturbances, the
customer must coordinate the generators underfrequency relay
settings with those of other utilities in the Western Electric
Coordinating Council (WECC). For more information about the
WECC, please refer to http://www.wecc.biz/main.html.
For all distribution interconnections, the underfrequency relay is
set at 58 Hz with a time delay of 30 seconds. The overfrequency
relay is set at 61 Hz with a time delay of 15 cycles (0.25 second).
4.17.4.

Ground-Fault-Sensing Scheme

4.17.4.1.

General
The ground-fault-sensing scheme detects PG&Es
power-system ground faults and trips the generators
circuit breaker or the main circuit breaker, preventing the
generator from continuously contributing to a ground fault.
The ground-fault-sensing scheme is able to detect faults
between the PG&E systems side of the dedicated
transformer and the end of PG&Es distribution circuit.
The following types of transformer connections, provided
with the appropriate relaying equipment, are commonly
used to detect system ground faults:

4.17.4.2.

System-side grounded wye; generator-side delta

System-side grounded wye; generator-side wye;

tertiary delta

Distribution Interconnections
For a transformer connected in a delta configuration to the
distribution system with a delta connection on the system
side, PG&E recommends a separate grounding
transformer, in addition to the appropriate relaying
equipment.
For a transformer connected in a grounded-wye
configuration to the 3-wire distribution system with a
grounded wye on the system side, the generator must have
a single-phase potential transformer between the neutral
and ground connection, in addition to the appropriate
relaying equipment.
For the typical, distribution-level interconnection schemes,
please see the following drawings:

4-20

Figure 4-1, Recommended Ground Detection

Schemes 12 kV Distribution Circuits, on Page 4-32

May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Figure 4-2, Recommend Ground Detection Schemes

21 kV Distribution Circuits, on Page 4-33

A single generator or a set of generators with an aggregate

rating of more than 4 kW must not be connected to a
single-phase line without providing for ground-fault
tripping. The customer must discuss these situations with
PG&E in advance.
For any substation or generation facility built by other
entities but subsequently owned, maintained, and/or
operated by PG&E, the customer must ensure that the
substation or generation facilitys ground grid meets the
minimum design and safety requirements used in PG&Es
substations. The ground-grid design must be analyzed
according to the Grounding Design Criteria, and
documented according to the PG&E Analysis
Specification (please see Attachment 7).
The ground grid must meet the minimum design and safety
requirements used in PG&E substations (please see
Attachment 7) when the customer connects the generating
facilities (operated by the customer) to the ground grid of
an existing or new PG&E substation when one of the
following situations occur:

The generator is located inside or immediately

adjacent to PG&Es substations or switching stations.

The system protection requires a solid ground

connection for relay operation.

When the customers facilities are not connected to

PG&Es ground grid or neutral system, the customer is
solely responsible for establishing design and safety limits
for the grounding system.
4.17.5.

Overcurrent Relay with Voltage Restraint or Voltage Control

An overcurrent relay with voltage restraint or voltage control is
used to detect multiphase faults and initiate tripping the generator
circuit breaker.
The customer must ensure that the required relays are located on
each individual generator feeder. A group of generators that have
an aggregate rating over 400 kW must be equipped with an
overcurrent relay with voltage restraint or voltage control2
installed on each generator rated at more than 100 kW. Generators
rated at, or greater than, 400 kW must be equipped with an
overcurrent relay with voltage restraint or voltage control.
To allow for phase-shift correction, the potential circuits to an
overcurrent relay with voltage restraint or voltage control must

PG&E will determine the suitability of a voltage restraint (device 51V) or a voltage control (device 51C) relay on a
case-by-cases basis and depending on the system characteristics for the specific interconnecting project.

May 1, 2003

4-21

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

have a delta-wye or wye-delta auxiliary potential transformer,

depending on the relay design and operating principle if the
generators step-up transformer is connected wye-delta or
delta-wye.
Please contact the applicable PG&E representative to find out the
proper phase of the auxiliary transformers connection.
4.17.6.

Reverse-Power Relay
Please see Table 4-2, Generator-Protection Devices, on Page
4-18 (Device #32) for the definition and function of a
reverse-power relay.

4.17.7.

Fault-Interrupting Devices
PG&E must review and approve all customer-selected
fault-interrupting devices.
There are two basic types of fault-interrupting devices for
distribution interconnections:

Circuit Breakers

Fuses

PG&E will determines the type of fault-interrupting device that a

customer needs based on the following conditions:

The size and type of generator.

The available fault duty.

The local circuit configuration.

The existing PG&E protection equipment.

4.17.7.1.

Circuit Breakers
A three-phase circuit breaker is the required
fault-interrupting device at the point of interconnection,
due to its simultaneous three-phase operation and its ability
to coordinate with PG&E line-side devices. The
three-phase circuit breaker is able to automatically separate
the generator from PG&Es electric system upon detection
of a circuit fault.
The customer may install additional circuit breakers and
protective relays, which are not required for
interconnection, in the generation facilities.
The interconnection circuit breaker must have sufficient
capacity to interrupt the maximum fault current it may
experience and must be equipped with accessories to
perform the following functions:

4-22

Trip the circuit breaker with an external trip signal

supplied through a battery (shunt trip).
May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

4.17.7.2.

Telemeter the circuit breaker status, if required by

PG&E.

Lock out the circuit breaker, if it is operated by

protective relays.

Fuses
Fuses are single-phase, direct-acting sacrificial links that
melt to interrupt fault current and protect the equipment.
The customer must replace blown fuses manually after
each fault before the facility may be returned to service.
Only trained personnel may replace overhead primary
fuses.
Fuses cannot be used as the primary protection for
three-phase generation facilities because fuses:

Are single-phase devices.

May not all melt during a fault.

May not automatically separate the generation

facility from PG&Es electric system.

Cannot be operated by the protective relays.

However, PG&E allows customers to use fuses as

high-side protection for the dedicated transformer at
generation facilities rated at less than 1,000 kW if the fuses
are connected to the distribution-level system, but only if
the customers protection can be coordinated with the
existing PG&E phase and ground protection.
If fuses are used, the customer should consider installing a
negative-sequence relay and/or other devices to protect the
facility against single-phase conditions. If fuses are used
for high-side transformer protection, the generator must
have a separate generator circuit breaker to isolate the
facility from PG&E electric system during a fault or
abnormal system conditions.
PG&E does not allow the customer to use large primary
fuses that do not coordinate with the circuit breaker ground
relays in PG&Es substations, because this may cause all
the customers on the circuit to lose power if there is a fault
inside the generating facility.
4.17.8.

Synchronous Generators
The customer must ensure that the generating unit meets all the
applicable standards of the:

May 1, 2003

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) (please refer

to: www.ansi.org)

4-23

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

(please refer to: www.standards.ieee.org)

The prime mover and the generator must be able to operate within
the full range of voltage and frequency excursions that may exist
on PG&Es electric system without damaging the generator.
4.17.9.

Synchronizing Relays
The purpose of synchronizing devices is to ensure that a
synchronous generator parallels with PG&Es electric system
without causing disturbance to other customers and facilities
(present and in the future) that are connected to the same system.
Synchronizing devices also ensure that the generator will not be
damaged due to an improper parallel action. Please refer to
Attachment 8, Generator Automatic Synchronizers for Generation
Entities, for additional information and requirements.
Synchronous generators and other generators with stand-alone
capability must use one of the methods in the following sections to
synchronize with PG&Es electric system.

4.17.9.1.

PG&E-Approved Automatic Synchronizers

The PG&E-approved automatic synchronizer (Device
15/25) must have all of the following characteristics:

A slip-frequency matching window of 0.1 Hz or less.

A voltage-matching window of 10% or less.

A phase-angle acceptance window of 10 or less.

Breaker-closure time compensation.

For an automatic synchronizer that does not have the
breaker-closure time compensation feature, the
generator must use a tighter phase-angle window
( 5) with a 1-second time-acceptance window to
achieve synchronization within a 10 phase angle.

Note: In addition to the above characteristics, the

automatic synchronizer must also be able to
automatically adjust the generator voltage and
frequency to match the system voltage and
frequency.

4.17.9.2.

Automatic Synchronizers Not Approved by PG&E but

Supervised by a PG&E-Approved Synchronizing Relay
An automatic synchronizing device that is not
PG&E-approved but is supervised by a PG&E-approved
synchronizing relay (Device 25) must have all of the
following characteristics:

4-24

A slip-frequency matching window of 0.1 Hz or less.

May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

A voltage-matching window of 10% or less.

A phase-angle acceptance window of 10 or less.

Breaker-closure time compensation.

Note: The synchronizing relay closes a supervisory

contact after the above conditions are met, allowing
the nonapproved automatic synchronizer to close
the circuit breaker.

4.17.9.3.

Manual Synchronization Supervised by a

Synchronizing Relay
Manual synchronization with supervision from a
synchronizing relay (Device 25) functions to synchronize
the customers facility with PG&Es electric system.
The automatic synchronizing relay must have all of the
following characteristics:

A slip-frequency matching window of 0.1 Hz or less.

A voltage-matching window of 10% or less.

A phase-angle acceptance window of 10 or less.

Breaker-closure time compensation.

Note: The synchronizing relay closes a supervisory

contact, after the above conditions are met,
allowing the circuit breaker to close.

4.17.9.4.

Manual Synchronization With a Synch-Check Relay

Manual synchronization with a synchroscope and a
synch-check (Device 25) relay with supervisory control is
allowed only for generators with a less than 1,000 kW
aggregate nameplate rating.
The synch-check relay must have the following
characteristics:

A voltage-matching window of 10% or less.

A phase-angle acceptance window of 10 or less.

A generator that has a greater than 1,000 kW aggregate

nameplate rating must have a synchronizing relay or an
automatic synchronizer.
4.17.10. Frequency/Speed Control
Unless otherwise specified by PG&E, a governor is required on the
prime mover to enhance the system stability.
The generator must set the governor characteristics to provide a
5% droop (i.e., a 0.15-Hz change in the generator speed must
cause a 5% change in the generator load).
May 1, 2003

4-25

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

To help regulate PG&Es system frequency, the governors on the

prime mover must be able to operate freely.
4.17.11. Excitation System Requirements
The excitation system must be capable of regulating the
generator-output voltage and power factor for the full range of the
limits specified by the CPUC Rule 21.
4.17.12. Voltage Regulation/Power Factor
According to the California Independent System Operator
(CAISO) requirements, the voltage regulator must be able to
maintain the generator voltage under steady-state conditions
without hunting and within 0.5% of any voltage level between
95% and 105% of the generators rated voltage. Voltage-sensing
must be set at the same point as PG&Es revenue metering.
The designated electric control center determines the voltage
schedules, in coordination with the transmission operations center.
CPUC Rule 21 requires that the power-factor control maintain a
power factor between 90% lagging and 90% leading (within a
PG&E-acceptable tolerance).
Distribution-level generator interconnections typically require
power-factor control (i.e., the generator is put on a power-factor
schedule, rather than on a voltage schedule).
4.17.13. Event Recorder
An event recorder is required for all unattended generation
facilities with a capacity greater than 400 kW and/or with
automatic or remotely initiated paralleling capability.
The event recorder must provide PG&E with sufficient
information to determine the status of the generation facility
during system disturbances.
In addition, the event recorder for a generation facility with a
nameplate rating equal to or greater than 10,000 kW must provide
a record of deliveries to PG&E of the following items:

4.18.

Real power in kW.

Reactive power in kvars.

Output voltage in kV.

Induction Generators
Induction generators and other generators with no inherent var (reactive
power) control capability must be able to provide an amount of reactive
power equivalent to that required for a synchronous generator.

4-26

May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Induction machines can be self-excited by nearby distribution capacitors

or as a result of the capacitive voltage on the distribution grid.
4.19.

Parallel-only (No Sale) Generator Requirement

Parallel-only generators have the same requirements as that of any other
standard synchronous-generator interconnection. The only exception is
that PG&E may, at its discretion, allow the installation of three very
sensitive, single-phase, reverse-power relays, such as the Basler BE1-32R,
along with a dedicated transformer, as an alternative to the normally
required ground relays.
The reverse-power relays must be set to pick up on
transformer-magnetizing current with a time delay not to exceed 2
seconds. This option may not be feasible on generating systems with a
slow load-rejection response, as these generating systems may be tripped
off-line frequently for in-plant disturbances.
Owners of parallel-only generators must execute a parallel-only operating
agreement with PG&E before operating the parallel-only generators.

4.20.

PG&E Protection and Control-System Changes That May Be

Required to Accommodate the Generators Interconnection
At the generation customers expense, PG&E performs a detailed
interconnection study to identify the cost of any required modifications to
PG&Es protection and control systems before interconnecting the new
generator. These modifications are in addition to any distribution-system
upgrades that PG&E identifies in the system-impact or facilities studies.
To recover the costs to PG&E for any protection and control-system
modifications that are directly assigned to the generator, retail generation
customers will execute a Generation Special Facilities Agreement
(please see Attachment 12), as indicated in Electric Rule 21. For more
information on Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnections, please
see www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/ER21.pdf or
Attachment 11.
The following are some of the protection-system modifications that
PG&E may require:

PG&Es automatic restoration equipment may need to be modified

so that the equipment will not restore the generator until it is below
25% of the nominal voltage, as measured by the restoration
equipment. (See Engineering Document 053826, Requirements For
Distribution Feeder with Synchronous Generating Equipment, in
Attachment 3.)
The restoration of power by automatically re-energizing PG&Es
facilities may cause generator damage and system disturbances.

May 1, 2003

4-27

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

PG&E requires this modification when it determines that the

generator(s) has the capability of energizing a line even when the
PG&E electric system is disconnected.
PG&E will not allow the generator(s) to automatically re-energize
PG&Es facilities.

For generation facilities with a greater than 1,000 kW aggregate

nameplate rating, the customer must replace all the existing,
single-phase, fault-interrupting devices (fuses) located in series
between the generator and PG&Es substation with a three-phase
interrupting device. This replacement is to prevent possible
single-phasing of other customers.

When the generator is on a distribution circuit fed from a fused

PG&E substation transformer bank, and the banks minimum load is
equal to or less than 200% of the generators nameplate rating, the
customer must replace the PG&E substation transformers high-side
fuses with a three-phase interrupting device.

If PG&E determines that it is necessary, the customer must install a

transfer trip to the generator from the following devices:

High-side circuit breaker/circuit switcher.

Distribution circuit breaker.

Any line reclosers.

An associated Energy Management System (EMS) or Supervisory Control

and Data Acquisition (SCADA) telemetering circuit is required between
the generators site and the designated PG&E electric control center.
4.21.

Direct Telephone Service

The customer must obtain direct service from the local telephone
company so that PG&E can provide operating instructions to the
designated operator of the customers equipment.
The customer must have a telephone communication line in service for the
transfer trip at least three weeks before the facility is energized (please see
Attachment 6).

4-28

May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Table 4-3

Standard Device Numbers

Device
Number

Definition and Function

Device
Number

Definition and Function

An instantaneous overcurrent or rate-of-rise relay indicates a fault in the apparatus or

circuit that is being protected,
when there is an excessive value of current, or an excessive
rate of current rise.

A distance relay functions

when the circuit admittance,
impedance, or reactance
increases or decreases
beyond predetermined limits.

An ac time overcurrent relay

has either a definite or
inversetime characteristic
that functions when the
current in an ac circuit
exceeds a predetermined
value.

Synchronizing and
synchronism-check devices
permit two alternating current
(ac) circuits to be paralleled
when they are within the
desired limits of frequency,
phase angle, and voltage.

An ac circuit breaker is used

to close or interrupt an ac
power circuit under normal
conditions or to interrupt a
circuit under fault or
emergency conditions.

An undervoltage relay
functions on a given value of
undervoltage.

An overvoltage relay
functions on a given value of
overvoltage.

A reverse-power relay
functions on a reverse-power
flow at a given set point.

A voltage-balance relay
operates on a given difference
in voltage between two
circuits.

A reverse-phase or
phase-balance current relay
functions when the polyphase
currents are of reverse-phase
sequence, or when the
polyphase currents are
unbalanced or contain
negative phase-sequence
components exceeding a
given amount.

A current-balance relay
operates on a given difference
in the current input or output
of two circuits.

A phase-sequence voltage
relay functions on a
predetermined value of
polyphase voltage in the
desired phase sequence.

A time-delay stopping, or
opening, relay delays a
shutdown, stopping, or
opening operation in an
automatic sequence initiated
by another device.

May 1, 2003

4-29

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Table 4-3

Standard Device Numbers, continued

Device
Number

Definition and Function

Device
Number

Definition and Function

An ac
directional-overcurrent relay
functions on a desired value of
ac overcurrent flowing in a
predetermined direction.

A differential-protective relay
functions on a percentage of
the phase angle or other
quantitative difference between
two currents or by other
electrical quantities.

An ac reclosing relay controls

the automatic reclosing and
locking out of a circuit
interrupter.

A regulating device regulates

a quantity, or quantities, such
as voltage, current, power,
speed, temperature, frequency,
and load, at a certain value or
between certain limits for
machines, tie lines, or other
apparatus.

A frequency relay functions

on a predetermined value of
frequency either under or over
the normal system frequency
or the normal rate of frequency
change.

A tripping or trip-free relay

functions to:

Table 4-4

Trip a circuit breaker,

Industrial-Grade Relays for Generation Application1

Manufacturer
Arga

Square D

PRS 250

Synchronizing
Relays
(25)
Undervoltage
Relay
(27)

Basler Electric

6-327

BE4-27

PR-201-UV

BE4-51

Nondirectional
Overcurrent Relay
(50/51)
Overvoltage Relay
(59)

6-327

BE4-59

PR-101-OV

Frequency Relay
(Under/Over)
( 81U/O)

6-328

BE4-81-O/U

R-101-OUF

Overcurrent Relay
(51N,V,C)
1

For utility-grade relays, please see Table 6-3, Utility-Grade Relays for Generation Application, on
Page 6-9.

4-30

May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

May 1, 2003

4-31

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection
3-Wire Systems, Service Transformer Connected Wye on 12 kV Side

Connect a 12 kV-240 V distribution transformer (or a 12 kV-120 V PT) between the neutral and
ground; load the secondary with a 13 resistor, and an overvoltage relay.
For 12 kV-240 V:
Turns ratio, N = 12,000 = 50
240
Maximum secondary voltage, V3 = 12,000 = 138.5 V
3 (50)
Short time ratings for resistor and transformer:
V2 = 138.52 = 1,477 W (or VA)
R
13
12 kV

Service Transformer
Generator

12 kV-240 V

59
N

Overvoltage (with third

harmonic filter) IAV51 relay
or equivalent

3-Wire Systems, Service Transformer Connected Delta on 12 kV Side

Install3 PTs or distribution transformers, 12 kV-240 V 1.0 kVA or larger, on 12 kV side as shown
below. Connect a 13 resistor across the broken delta.
For 12 kV-240 V:
Turns ratio, N = 12,000 = 100
120
Normal secondary voltage, Vn = 12,000 = 69.3 V
3 (100)
Maximum voltage across delta, Vd = 3 x 69.3 = 208 V (minimum relay voltage rating)
Short time ratings for resistor and transformer:
Resistor W = V2 = 2082 = 3,328*
R
13
Transformer VA = 120 208 = 1920 (each)*
13
*1,000 W continuous rated resistor and 1.0 kVA transformer will be adequate.
12 kV

Service Transformer

Generator
3 PTs
12 kV-240 V

R
13
59
N

Figure 4-1
Recommended Ground Detection Schemes
12 kV Distribution Circuits

4-32

May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection
4-Wire System, Service Transformer Connected Ground Wye on 21 kV Side
21 kV

Service Transformer

Generator

Neutral

51
G

* CT ratio to be selected according to ground fault currents for the location.

4-Wire System, Service Transformer Connected Delta on 21 kV Side

21 kV

Service Transformer

Generator
Neutral

Ground Bank*

51
G

Overcurrent, CO-9 relay

or equivalent

* Ground bank to be sized to limit overvoltages to 1.15 of normal.

Figure 4-2
Recommended Ground Detection Schemes
21 kV Distribution Circuits

4.22.

Metering Requirements
Rule 21 installations are generally designed to operate in parallel with the
PG&E system.
The disconnect requirements are specified by PG&E and listed in the
Engineering Document 060559, Disconnect Switches for Interconnection
with Small Power Producers and Cogenerators. (See Attachment 3)

May 1, 2003

4-33

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

As specified in Rule 21, the customer is required to have an accessible

disconnect switch that may be locked in the open position and located
within approximately 10 feet of the meter at a PG&E-approved location.
Revenue meters used for Rule 21 are either electromechanical or
solid-state programmable meters.
The customer is responsible for ensuring that the metering panels satisfy
the necessary revenue-metering requirements.
In the event that the installation of a dual-meter adapter is necessary, the
customer is required to have adequate meter working space. The required
meter working space is defined as an area in front of the meter or the
meter enclosure. The purpose of the meter working space is to provide
safe access to the metering equipment.
The meter working space must be:

Clear and level.

At least 36 inches by 30 inches in area.

Kept clear of debris and unobstructed at all times.

Located so that the centerline of the meter must be at least 10 inches

from any adjacent sidewall or other protruding obstruction.

Located so there is no intrusion by landscaping, structures, or stored

material.

Installed meters must also satisfy the following height requirements:

Table 4-5

Meter Height Requirements

Installed Meters

Height Requirement

Individual, field-installed meter panels (i.e.

not part of an assembly, such as a
switchboard).

A minimum of 48 inches to a maximum of

66 inches as measured from the centerline
of the meter to the standing surface.

Free-standing, manufactured, meter-panel

enclosures, multimeter panels, or
assemblies where a minimum of a 36-inch
to a maximum of a 75-inch socket is
placed in a factory-assembled structure
(e.g. meter pedestal).

Please refer to the Electric and Gas

Service Requirements manual
(Greenbook)

Agricultural and other pole-mounted

services.

The height from the ground to the top of

the meter-socket enclosure must be 72
inches. However, the meter height may be
reduced to 48 inches if the
service-entrance conduit attached to the
pole is made of galvanized, rigid steel or
PVC Schedule 40, and is at least 2 inches
in diameter.

4.23.

Telemetering Requirements
If the meter is read via a telephone line, the customer is responsible for
installing the line and establishing service. If a land line is unavailable,
and cellular signals are acceptable, a cellular phone may be used.

4-34

May 1, 2003

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

If the meters telephone line cannot be dedicated to the meter, the

customer, with the approval from PG&Es local metering group, may
arrange to use a line sharing switch.
The telephone-line termination in switchboards, panels, pole-mounted
meters, and pedestals must be installed to meet the following
requirements:

Be located within 5 circuit-feet from the centerline of the meter.

Have a height between a minimum of 18 inches and a maximum of

72 inches above the finished grade.

When cellular telephones are used, the same location requirements apply
to the power supply when measured from the load side of the meter and
located outside PG&Es sealable section.
4.24.

Communication
PG&E may require that communication circuits be installed to provide
protection, Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), and voice
communication between PG&E and the customers generation facilities.
The customer is responsible for the monthly costs and the costs associated
with the installation of EMS, SCADA and protection circuits. In addition,
the customer is responsible for the costs incurred by PG&E personnel
while involved in assisting the telephone company personnel in making
repairs to the leased circuits.
When external communication circuits are installed, the responsible party
must ensure that the high-voltage protection (HVP) on these circuits and
related equipment meets all the applicable standards.

4.25.

Operation Requirements
If the unit is equipped with a disconnect switch, the switch must be
accessible to PG&E employees. When maintenance or other work
procedures are scheduled, this disconnect switch may have to be opened
and locked for the protection of PG&E employees.
4.25.1.

Normal Voltage Operating Range

PG&E may have specific operating-voltage ranges for larger
generating facilities (larger than 11 kVA), and may require
adjustable operating-voltage settings for these larger systems.
In the absence of such requirements, the operating window must
be set in a way that minimizes nuisance tripping and ranges
between 88% and 110% of the appropriate interconnection
voltage.
To minimize the adverse voltage effects experienced by other
customers on PG&Es electric system, any voltage flicker at the
point of common coupling (PCC) caused by the generating facility

May 1, 2003

4-35

Generation
Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

must not exceed the limits defined by the Maximum Borderline

of Irritation Curve shown in the Institute of Electrical Engineers
(IEEE) 519.
4.25.2.

Other Requirements
The maximum capacity for single-phase generating facilities
connected to a shared, single-phase secondary must not exceed 20
kVA.
Customers must install a 240 V service for generating facilities
with a center-tap neutral so that no more than 6 kVA of imbalance
capacity exists between the two sides of the 240 V service.

4.25.3.

System Upgrades
After PG&Es engineering departments review, PG&E may
require system upgrades so that the system is able to accommodate
the interconnection of the distribution generation (DG) system.

4-36

May 1, 2003

Generation

Section 5
Portable, Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnection

5.1.

Introduction
During a power outage, customers can use an electric generator as a
standby system to keep lights and appliances running until service is
restored.
A generator can power the refrigerators, freezers and other essential
equipment during a prolonged outage. However, generators are expensive
and noisy, and can pose serious safety hazards. Therefore, customers must
follow all the manufacturers safety instructions.
According to the law, customers are not allowed to connect a
permanently-installed or portable generator to another power source, such
as PG&Es power lines.
Owners and operators of generators are responsible for ensuring that the
generators are used correctly, and that the electricity from the unit does
not backfeed, i.e., flow into PG&Es power lines. If the generator is not
used correctly, it may endanger lives and damage property.

5.2.

Portable Generators
Customers must follow the safety requirements listed below:

Connect portable generators only to selected appliances or lamps.

Do not connect portable generators directly to a buildings wiring

system.

Read and follow all of the manufacturers instructions carefully,

before starting the generator.

Ensure that the total electric load on the generator does not exceed
the manufacturers rating.

Install the generator at a location where the exhaust vents safely.

Prioritize electrical needs by doing the following:

Use the lowest wattage of light bulbs that can still provide a
safe level of light.

Reserve power for additional lighting elsewhere or for small

appliances.

Remember that the greater the load on the generator, the more fuel it will
use.

Keep cords out of the way so that they will not be a tripping hazard,
especially in dimly lit doorways or halls. Customers must never run
cords under rugs or carpets where heat may build up or damage to a
cord may not be noticed.

May 1, 2003

5-1

Generation
Portable, Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnection

5.3.

Extension cords must be properly sized to carry the electric load.

Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires or damage to
equipment.

Standby Generators
Only a qualified professional, such as a licensed electric contractor, may
install a permanent standby generator.
When a generator is permanently connected to a customers electric
system, it energizes the buildings wiring. This type of installation
requires a device that prevents the generator from being connected to
PG&Es power lines.
PG&E recommends using a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch to
keep the generator from backfeeding into PG&Es system.
(To see a diagram of a transfer switch, please refer to Figure 5-1 below or
http://www.pge.com/004_safety/images/transfer_large.gif)
To Meter

To Main
Fuse Box

To Generator

Figure 5-1
Transfer Switch

5-2

Keeps PG&Es power from re-energizing the buildings wiring

while the generator is running.

Protects the generator, wiring, and appliances from damage when

the service is restored.
May 1, 2003

Generation
Portable, Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnection

5.3.1.

5.4.

Safety Requirements

The city or county building department must inspect all

additions to the buildings wiring.

When the customer completes the installation, the customer

must inform PG&E of the back-up system, so that, when
there is an outage, PG&Es workers will be aware of the
generators in the area. In some cases, PG&E line workers
may ask to check the electric generators transfer switch for
safety purposes.

Customers should call the local building inspector or a

licensed contractor for help determining if a
permanently-installed standby generator is installed properly.

Customers who have installed or operated the generators

improperly are responsible for any injuries and damages to
the property of the customer, neighbors, or PG&E.

Emergency Generators
There are two methods of transferring an electric power supply between
the PG&E source and the emergency generator system:

Open transition (break before make).

Closed transition (make before break).

5.4.1.

Break Before Make

Customers may transfer loads using the break-before-make
method via a double-throw transfer switch or an interlock scheme
that prevents the two systems from operating in parallel.
The circuit breaker that supplies power from PG&E to the
customer must open before the customers generator closes. This
open-transition method does not require any additional protective
equipment; however, it does cause the customer to experience a
short outage while transferring back to PG&E. The length of this
outage depends on the transfer equipment.

5.4.2.

Make Before Break

The make-before-break method is used when the customer wants
to minimize any loss of power or disturbance to its electric load
during a system outage.
With the make-before-break method, the customers generator
and PG&Es electric system are in parallel for the very short
interval during which the customers load is being transferred
between the PG&E source and the emergency generator.

May 1, 2003

5-3

Generation
Portable, Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnection

The transfer of load from PG&E to the emergency source and back
to PG&E can be done without causing the customer to experience
an outage.
5.4.3.

Interconnection Requirements
The list below gives the requirements for interconnecting
emergency generators that use open or closed transfer schemes.
5.4.3.1.

Interconnection Study
A study is not required if the applicant meets the
requirements outlined in this section and submits the
required reports and drawings for review and approval.

5.4.3.2.

Transfer Switch
The transfer switch must be rated for the maximum
possible load current.

5.4.3.3.

Notification and Documentation

The customer must notify PG&E in writing regarding all
emergency generator installations, regardless of the method
of interconnection or transfer.
The customer must submit completed documentation that
includes, but is not limited to, the following information:

A description of the generator and control-system

operation.

Single-line diagrams of the customers system.

Identification of all interlocks.

A description of the sequence of events for transfer

operation and the specifications for any
PG&E-required protective devices.

PG&E must conduct relay tests and approve all

documentation before the customers system is installed.
PG&E must review and approve the relay test reports at
least 15 days before scheduling the preparallel inspection.
5.4.3.4.

Operation/Clearance
For the purposes of any clearance or line work, the
customer must consider the emergency generator as a
power source.
Before a customer may perform any load transfers by the
make-before-break transfer method, the customer must
notify the responsible operation center of the intent to
transfer load to the emergency generator and back to the

5-4

May 1, 2003

Generation
Portable, Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnection

PG&E power source. This notification is not required for

break-before-make operation.
5.4.3.5.

Break-Before-Make Transfer Switch: Specific

Requirements
The customer must ensure that the transfer switch has an
interlock or other means to prevent it from closing and
connecting the customers system to PG&Es, while the
emergency generator is still connected to the customers
load.

5.4.3.6.

Make-Before-Break Requirements

5.4.3.6.1.

Transfer Switch
In the event that the transfer switch closes into a
fault condition, the transfer switch must be rated
for the level of fault possible in the system.
In the event that the transfer switch fails, the
customer must ensure that there is an interlock
that will trip either the main or the generators
circuit breaker, so that the unit will not remain
paralleled to PG&Es electric system.
The controls for the transfer switch must prevent
parallel operation of the customers generator and
PG&Es electric system for an extended period of
time.
Customers who have systems that allow parallel
conditions to exist for more than 0.5 seconds (30
cycles) on the transmission system and more than
1 second (60 cycles) on the distribution system
must meet an additional set of requirements
outlined in Section 4, Rule 21 Generating
Facility Interconnection, of this manual.

5.4.3.6.2.

Manual Disconnect
The customer must provide a manual disconnect,
located at the point of interconnection, that may
be used to establish a visually open safety
clearance to protect PG&Es employees working
on PG&Es electric system.
The manual disconnect must be:

May 1, 2003

Operated by PG&E.

Lockable in either the opened or closed

transition.

5-5

Generation
Portable, Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnection

5.4.3.6.3.

Easily accessible (preferably located

adjacent to the electric meter).

Have a full load-break capability.

Synchronizing Function
The customer must do the following to ensure that
the load is transferred safely and smoothly:

Ensure that the transfer scheme has adequate

controls and protective devices.

Use an auto synchronizer or a synchronizing

relay to ensure that the customer s electric
system synchronizes with PG&Es system
before the two systems are paralleled.

The auto synchronizer or synchronizing relay

must have:

5.4.3.6.4.

Slip frequency matching of 0.1 Hz or less.

Voltage matching of 10 % or less.

A phase-angle acceptance of 10 or less.

A circuit breaker closure-time

compensation.

Protection
The emergency generators are paralleled with
PG&Es electric system. Therefore, in the event of
a fault on the system during a load transition, the
customer must have protective devices to prevent
the customers generator from remaining
connected to PG&Es electric system.
It is important to prevent damages on the
customers equipment, PG&Es electric system,
and other PG&E customers equipment caused by
possible back-feeding of the customers power to
the PG&E system.
In most installations, the customer installs a
reverse-power relay to meet this protection
requirement.
The customer must install this relay on the
customers side of the service transformer that is
connected to PG&Es electric system.
To ensure that reverse power flow is detected
before it actually enters PG&Es electric system

5-6

May 1, 2003

Generation
Portable, Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnection

and other customers equipment, the relay must

meet the following requirements:

Be able to trip the customers main circuit

breaker.

Be able to detect the transformer cores

magnetizing power.

To ensure that the relay meets the requirements,

the customer must set the current-level pickup to
be equivalent to 60 % of the transformer banks
magnetizing current. Because this current value
will be small, the current transformers associated
with the relay must be capable of carrying small
currents.
When transferring the customers load back to
PG&Es electric system, incidental power may
flow back to PG&Es system. Properly setting the
synchronizing and/or generator control will avoid
this reverse flow.
To prevent the reverse-power relay from
unnecessarily tripping the generator each time
there is a transfer, a short delay may be required.
However, this delay must not exceed 1 second.
5.4.3.6.5.

Dedicated Transformer
Due to the fact that the emergency generator may
be connected in parallel with PG&Es electric
system, all transfer schemes of the
make-before-break type must have a dedicated
transformer.
The use of dedicated transformers makes it less
likely that other PG&E customers will be affected
by transfer activities. In addition, customers need
a dedicated transformer to install the
reverse-power relay scheme.

May 1, 2003

5-7

Generation
Portable, Emergency, Standby Generators Interconnection

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

5-8

May 1, 2003

Load

Section 6
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

6.1.

Purpose
This section specifies the technical requirements for electric load
customers interconnecting to the Pacific Gas and Electric Companys
(PG&E) primary distribution system. It applies to all existing, as well as
all new, primary service (PS) customers.
If the interconnection involves load and generation, the information in the
following generation sections applies:

6.2.

Section 3, Expanded E-NET Interconnection

Section 4, Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Applicability
The applicable protection standards of this section apply to all PS
customers interconnecting to any part of PG&Es primary distribution
system.
To ensure consistency with the applicable reliability criteria, PG&E has
developed protection standards to govern the design, inspection, and
testing of the protective devices.

6.3.

Requirements For Load Interconnection

It is important to minimize the potential hazard to life and property when
interconnecting facilities to the PG&E distribution system. Safety requires
the automatic detection of abnormal conditions and trouble related to a PS
customers equipment and the isolation of that equipment within a
reasonable time.
The most important system troubles are faulty equipment conditions such
as short-circuit problems.
Please refer to Electric Rule 2-Description of Service at:
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/ER2.pdf and in
Attachment 10.
Moreover, interconnection of a new facility to the PG&E distribution
system must not degrade any of the existing PG&E protection and control
schemes or lower the existing levels of safety and reliability to other
customers.
As a general rule, neither party must depend on the other for the
protection of its respective equipment. As such, PG&Es minimum
protection requirements are designed and intended to protect the PG&E
power system only. Refer to CPUC Rule 21 of additional information.
(See Attachment 11.)

May 1, 2003

6-1

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

In view of these objectives, PG&E requires that the protective equipment

automatically be able to detect and rapidly isolate only the faulty
equipment or section, so that only the faulty equipment or section is
interrupted and the fewest number of customers are affected by any
outage.
The PS customer is responsible for protecting its own system and
equipment from faults or interruptions originating from both PG&Es and
the PS customers side of the interconnection.
The PS customers facilities must be designed to isolate any fault or
abnormality that could affect adversely the PG&E electric system or the
electric systems of other entities connected to the PG&E electric system.
The PS customer must ensure that any protective function(s), required for
interconnection to PG&E meet either of the following two criteria:

The protective device(s) is listed on Table 6-3, Utility-Grade

Relays for Generation Application, on Page 6-9, or

The protective device(s) has been tested for PG&E-specified

functions by a test facility acceptable to PG&E.

PG&Es typical minimum requirement consists of installing three,

single-phase overcurrent relays, designed and set to trip the interrupting
device nearest to the point of interconnection with PG&E.
The PS customer must provide, install, own, and maintain such protective
relays, interrupting devices, or circuit breakers and all other devices
necessary1 to remove promptly any fault condition caused by the PS
customers facilities that contributes to any short circuit occurring on the
electric system not otherwise isolated by PG&Es equipment.
Please refer to Table 6-3, Utility-Grade Relays for Generation
Application, for a list of the approved types of overcurrent relays and for
additional information.
Notes
1. The PS customer must set the required relays to coordinate with the
appropriate PG&E devices.
2. The PS customer is responsible for the cost of installing additional
protective equipment requirement. PG&E will communicate and
coordinate the installation of additional protective equipment with the
PS customer.
PG&E assumes no liability for damage to the PS-customer-owned
facilities resulting from a lack of adequate coordination between the PS
customers protective device(s) and PG&Es protective devices, or
negligence due to the PS customers failure to maintain protective and/or
isolation equipment.

These facilities, in addition to other protection facilities, are termed system protection facilities.

6-2

May 1, 2003

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

PG&E recommends that the PS customer acquire the services of a

qualified and licensed electrical engineer to review its plans. The PS
customer must, at its expense, install, operate, and maintain system
protection facilities in accordance with all applicable regulatory rules and
requirements, and in accordance with this handbook.
The customers primary protective device must be installed at a
PG&E-designated service delivery point. The service delivery point must
be at or near the customers property line. The drawings in Figures A3-1
through Figures A3-5 provide a uniform approach to what is acceptable to
PG&E for the location of the PS customers protective device.
The relays must be tested before energizing and a test report submitted to
PG&E (see Attachment 12, Form G2-2, Relay Test Report). The relays
must be tested every 4 years after the initial energization and the report
sent to the PS customers local PG&E account representative. The PG&E
account representative will coordinate all communication between the PS
customer and the local PG&E electric planning department.
The following are the test requirements that the PS customer must
perform on-site (generic test reports are not allowed) before energizing:

At least 10 working days before energizing, the PS customer must

provide on-site test reports to PG&E from a qualified testing firm.
Please refer to Section 6.10., Preparallel Inspection, on Page 6-14
for information regarding preparallel inspections.

On-site power (typically 120 volts alternating current [Vac]) is

required for the test equipment.

Circuit breakers must be tested every 8 years after the preparallel

inspection.

Facilities that fail to meet the above testing requirements are subject to
either a delay in service or disconnection from the PG&E power system.
6.3.1.

Data Provided by the Applicant

The customers load interconnection must not impact adversely the
service reliability of other PG&E customers that are served via the
same distribution system as the PS customer.
The following are the responsibilities of PS customers:

To install, set, and operate their primary protective devices to

isolate the PS customer from PG&E, when problems occur
on the PS customers system.

To coordinate their protective devices with the appropriate,

PG&E, source-side protective equipment.

A PS customer must ensure that the coordination of the PS

customer protective equipment meets the criteria outlined in the
PG&E protection standards that are provided to the customer or its
representative.

May 1, 2003

6-3

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

The PS customer is responsible for owning, operating, and

maintaining all the required protective equipment.
The PS customer is responsible for providing the information
necessary for PG&E to determine the interconnection requirements
before PG&E approves the specific PS installation. This
information includes, but is not limited, to the following:

Single-line diagrams.

Meter and relay diagrams.

Control diagrams.

The following is a list of the protective-relay information required

(if applicable) for interconnection and coordination with PG&Es
protective devices:

Manufacturer

Style

Types

Ranges

Settings

In addition, the PS customer must provide the following

information:

A copy of the relay instruction manual for devices that are

not commonly used by PG&E.

The projected electrical demand (kW), including the

following information:

Power factor.

Load factor.

Large motor sizes.

Starting currents.

Customers transformer size.

Breakdown of the electric energy use by month.

Before energizing the new PS facility, the PS customer must

complete the following activities:

6-4

Submit to PG&E the on-site test reports for the switches,

devices, and relays at least 10 working days prior to the
scheduled energization date, in order to allow sufficient time
for review, modification, and PG&Es approval. Qualified
personnel must perform these on-site test reports.

Complete a fault study and coordination studies with

full-size phase and ground coordination curves showing full
coordination with PG&Es system.
May 1, 2003

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

The PS customer, or its representative, must provide the

results of the coordination studies to the PG&Es electric
distribution engineering department to validate the relay
coordination times and relay settings.
A registered electrical engineer must prepare and stamp the
fault-study results.

6.3.2.

Provide a documented maintenance program for the

switches, interrupting devices, and protective equipment.

Ensure that PG&E employees do a preinterconnection or

preparallel inspection to verify the proper operation of the
customers equipment.

Data that PG&E Provides to the Applicant

PG&E provides the following engineering data to the PS
customer:

6.4.

System fault duty at the property line.

Settings for PG&E source-side protective devices and the

required clearance time to comply with PG&E protection
standards.

Relay curves for PG&E source-side protective devices, if

requested by the PS customer.

Reliability and Redundancy Specifications for Relays

The applicants protection system must be designed with enough
redundancy that the failure of any one component still allows the facility
to be isolated from the PG&E system under a fault condition.
All load facilities interconnected to PG&Es distribution system must use
utility-grade relays, which are much more accurate and reliable than
industrial-grade relays.
Utility-grade auxiliary relays must be used in the tripping circuits of
utility-grade protective relays. All such relays must include relay targets
that can be reset manually. The relays power supplies must be powered
by a station battery supplying direct current (dc) voltage and must include
a dc-undervoltage detection device and alarm.
The PS customer must submit all proposed relay specifications and
settings to PG&E for approval before ordering, if the relays impact
PG&Es reliability and/or safety. (Please refer to Table 6-3, Utility-Grade
Relays for Generation Application on Page 6-9.)
PS customers who fail to submit relay specifications for approval risk the
possibility of not being able to interconnect with PG&E (please refer to
Rule 2 - Description of Service at
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/ER2.pdf on in
Attachment 10).

May 1, 2003

6-5

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

If PG&E is unfamiliar with a specific proposed relay, PG&E may do one

of the following:

Test the relays that the PS customer provided.

Request that the PS customer supply test and supporting data from
the manufacturer. Such tests must be performed at the PS customers
expense and before PG&Es approval of the relay for
interconnection use2.

Note: PG&Es approval of the relays does not indicate the

quality or reliability of a product or service. No
endorsements or warranties are implied.

The PG&E-required relays must be able to detect all phase and ground
faults and coordinate with the appropriate PG&E line equipment.
Table 6-1

Basic Protective Devices

Protection Device

Device10 Number

34.5 kV or less

Phase Overcurrent (Radial systems)

50/51

Ground Overcurrent (Radial systems)

50/51N

Please refer to Table 6-2 for device-number definitions and functions.

Table 6-2

Standard Device Numbers

Device Number

Definition and Function

Instantaneous overcurrent, or rate-of-rise relay is a device that

functions instantaneously on an excessive value of current, or on an
excessive rate of current rise, indicating that a fault in the apparatus
or circuit is being protected.

AC time overcurrent relay is a device with either a definite or

inverse time characteristic that functions when the current in an ac
circuit exceeds a predetermined value.

6.4.1.

Fault-Interrupting Devices
For each particular application, PG&E must review and approve
the fault-interrupting devices that the PS customer selects.
There are two basic types of fault-interrupting devices available
for distribution systems:

Circuit breakers

Fuses

PG&E determines the type of fault-interrupting device a load

facility needs based on the following criteria:

Availability of fault duty at the interconnection point.

Size of the load.

There are additional system tests associated with communication-assisted protection. These tests (also referred to as end-to-end satellite tests) require all terminals of a transmission line be tested as a system and
include the protection, communication equipment and medium between the interconnected terminals.
Please refer to Attachment 6 for more information.

6-6

May 1, 2003

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

Configuration of the local circuit.

Coordination with the existing PG&E protection equipment.

6.4.1.1.

Circuit Breakers
When a circuit fault is detected, a three-phase circuit
breaker at the point of interconnection automatically
separates the PS customers equipment from PG&Es
system.
The PS customer may install additional circuit breakers for
operating and protecting the facility. However, PG&E does
not require that the PS customer install these additional
circuit breakers.
The interconnection circuit breaker must have sufficient
capacity to interrupt the maximum available fault current
at its location. It must be equipped with accessories to
perform the following functions:

Trip the breaker with a trip signal supplied through a

battery external to the circuit breaker (shunt trip).

Lock out, if operated by protective relays required

for interconnection.

Generally, a three-phase circuit breaker is the

recommended fault-interruption device at the point of
interconnection because it has a three-phase operation and
the ability to coordinate with PG&Es line-side devices.
6.4.1.2.

Fuses
PG&E may approve the use of fuses for load-only
facilities, if the fuses coordinate with the PG&E line-side
devices for both phase and ground faults. If PG&E
approves the fuses, the PS customer should consider
installing a negative-sequence relay and/or other devices to
protect its facility against single-phase conditions.
Fuses are single-phase, direct-acting, sacrificial links that
melt to interrupt fault current and protect the equipment.
The PS customer must replace the blown fuses manually
after each fault before the facility can return to service.
Only trained, qualified personnel can replace the overhead
primary fuses.
Since fuses are single-phase devices, they may not all melt
during a fault and may not separate the PS customers
system automatically from PG&E.
Large primary fuses that do not coordinate with PG&Es
source-side protective phase and ground relays are not
allowed. These fuses may cause all the customers on the

May 1, 2003

6-7

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

circuit to lose power due to a fault inside the PS customers

facility.
6.5.

Standby/Backup Source
6.5.1.

Standby Source
When the PS customers load requires a high level of reliability,
the PS customer may request to have either a transmission source
installed or a backup distribution and transmission source installed
at the PS customers expense.
When the PS customers load is transferred from the primary
source to the standby source or vice versa, a momentary outage
(drop-and-pickup operation) occurs.
When the PS customers equipment is being fed from the backup
source and the PS customer wants to transfer the load back to the
primary source with a parallel operation (make-before-break
method), the PS customer must ensure that the following
requirements are met:

The ratios and electrical connections of the transformers on

both sources must be well matched to minimize circulating
currents.

The impedance of the transformers and the relative phase

angles of the sources must be such that any through load
(i.e., flowing of power through the PS customers electrical
system to other customers) does not cause overloads.

The parallel transfer operation must not degrade protection

or overstress PG&Es or the customers equipment.

The transfer switches, one on each side of the PS load, must

be controlled by an automatic-interlock scheme to minimize
the time the two systems are paralleled. The transfer
switches must be circuit breakers or other suitably rated,
automatically controlled switches.

Note: The parallel period must be less than one

second because the presence of two parallel
circuits will increase the fault duty and may
overstress the PS customers equipment.

Each parallel transfer operation can only proceed after

PG&Es specific approval.
In some cases, additional protective devices and special
operating procedures may be required to avoid endangering
the customers and/or PG&Es facilities.
The PS customer must obtain PG&Es approval before
performing the parallel transfer operation. PG&E may

6-8

May 1, 2003

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

withhold approval if, in its sole judgment, the above

requirements have not been met, or if a previously
unforeseen factor or change in conditions is deemed to
jeopardize the operator, public safety, or reliability to
customers.

Table 6-3

The PS customer must assume all liability for any problems

or damage resulting from any parallel transfer operation.

Utility-Grade Relays For Generation Application1, 2

Manufacturer

ABB
(ASEA)
(Westinghouse)

Nondirectional Overcurrent
Relay
50/51

Nondirectional Overcurrent
Relay Ground
51N

CO
DPU-2000R

Microshield
(MSOC)
RXIDF
CO
DPU-2000R

ALSTOM

MCGG

Basler Electric

BE1-51

Beckwith Electric

M-0420
M-3410
M-3420
M-3430
M-3520

M-0420
M-3410
M-3425
M-3520

IFC

SR-489
SR-745
L-90, T-60
SR-735
SR-737

SEL-251
SEL-311C
SEL-321
SEL-351
SEL-501
SEL-387
SEL-387E
SEL-587

SEL-251
SEL-321
SEL-351
SEL-501

RXIDF

Brush Electric
General Electric

Schweitzer

Woodward
1
2

All the relays specified in this table imply three single-phase relays.
All microprocessor-based relays that are used as a multifunctional protective device must have backup
relays.

May 1, 2003

6-9

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

6.6.

Metering Requirements
This section addresses direct access (DA) and bundled-service PS
customers, who are connected at distribution voltages (34.5 kV and
below), as described in Rule 2, Section 13, Service Delivery Voltages.
(See Attachment 10.)
Customers connected at the available service voltages must satisfy
PG&Es revenue-metering requirements and those of other applicable
governing authorities (i.e., California Public Utilities Commission
[CPUC], California Independent System Operator [CAISO], etc.).
For customers exporting power, loads connected at distribution voltages
must satisfy the metering protocols established by PG&E and CAISO.
Exceptions will be handled on a case-by-case basis with approval from
PG&Es Customer Metering Services in close coordination with Field
Metering Services.
Other arrangements that affect the required metering installation may also
require a Generation Special Facilities Agreement. (See Attachment
12.)

6.7.

Types of Distribution Services

The two types of distribution services are:

Wholesale

Retail (i.e., end-users)

6.7.1.

Wholesale Service
For wholesale-service interconnections, the PS customers must
provide, install, own, and maintain all revenue-metering-related
equipment, including all the items provided and maintained by
PG&E or a Meter Service Provider (MSP) listed under Retail
Service below.
PS customers who are interested in wholesale service must meet
the following criteria:

CAISO metering standards.

CPUC-approved metering standards.

PG&Es requirements.

Enter into a Meter Service Agreement (MSA) with the

CAISO and, in certain cases, with PG&E. The MSA
specifies requirements regarding the retrieval of load data
and accessibility by CAISO.

The wholesale PS customer is responsible for ensuring that the

meters comply with CAISOs meter standards and accuracy
requirements.

6-10

May 1, 2003

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

All PS customers must contact PG&Es local account services

representative for PG&Es revenue-metering requirements.
6.7.2.

Retail Service (End Users)

Rule 22 Direct Access Service governs the interconnection and
operating requirements for DA customers.
Please refer to
http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/ER22.pdf

for Rule 22 Direct Access Service.

According to Rule 22, customers have the opportunity to acquire
their electric power needs under the following two options:

Bundled Utility Services - traditional service from PG&E.

DA customers purchase energy from various suppliers and

related services from Energy Service Providers (ESPs).

6.7.2.1.

Bundled Services
For bundled (full-service) utility services, PG&E, in most
cases, continues to provide the following services:

Own, provide, and maintain metering equipment,

including the meter.

Read the meter.

Customers returning to bundled service may own the

meter, if the meter is supported by PG&E. In the event that
the customers meter becomes nonfunctional, PG&E will
replace the meter with an equivalent meter and return the
former meter to the customer (end-user).
6.7.2.2.

Customer Meter Options

Customers may obtain meters in the following ways:

May 1, 2003

DA customers, PG&E, or the ESP may own the

hourly meter.

The ESP can be its own MSP or hire an MSP to

maintain metering equipment compliance.

The ESP may also act as its own Meter Data

Management Agent (MDMA) or hire an MDMA to
read the meter and maintain the meter data.

PG&E can perform metering services or meter-data

management, if contracted to do so.

PG&E retains the right to physically access any

hourly or monthly meter data.

PG&E continues to read, test, and inspect the meters

on PG&Es system.
6-11

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

6.7.2.3.

PG&E Is the MSP

PG&E, as the MSP, continues to provide, install, maintain,
and test the following:

Revenue-metering instrument transformers (voltage

transformers and current transformers), which are
considered part of the distribution system per CPUC
decision D.97-10-087, dated October 30, 1997.
The use of combination revenue-metering units is
preferred for customers being served at 34.5 kV. The
Engineering Document 058779, Pole Top Primary
Metering Installation, Cluster Mounted (12 or 21 kV
Line), in Attachment 3, shows typical, distribution
pole-type metering.

6.7.2.4.

Secondary wiring from the base of the metering

transformers to the revenue meter in a
customer-supplier dedicated raceway (conduits) used
solely for revenue metering.

Meters and associated metering devices such as

isolation relays, test switches, etc.

PG&E Is the MDMA

PG&E, as the MDMA, continues to provide the following
services:

6.7.2.5.

To read raw meter data from the interval meter.

To validate, edit, and estimate the data of a

settlement-quality form.

Place the settlement-quality data on the MDMA

server and, if necessary, perform usage adjustment.

Customer Responsibilities
The customer (end-user) maintains the following:

6.7.2.5.1.

The Meter Enclosure

To maintain the required metering accuracy, the
distance between the meter enclosure and the
revenue-metering transformers must not exceed 50
feet.
PG&E must approve any variance from this
general rule to avoid any metering inaccuracy. The
enclosure must be grounded and located within the
substation ground grid. Access must be readily
available for PG&E employees to read and
maintain the metering equipment.

6-12

May 1, 2003

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

The enclosure must be equipped with the

following items:

An auxiliary 120 V duplex plug.

An overhead light.

A light switch adjacent to the door.

A ground bus connected to the ground and

mounted near the bottom of the wall where
the meters are located.

Please refer to PG&Es Electric and Gas Services

Requirements, Section 9, and Engineering
Document 058779, Pole Top Primary Metering
Installation, Cluster Mounted (12 or 21 kV Line).
(See Attachment 3.)
6.7.2.5.2.

PG&E-Approved Meter Panels

Please refer to PG&Es Electric and Gas Services
Requirements.
(http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/002b4b_green_
bk.shtml)

6.7.2.5.3.

The Pull Line

The customer must install a pull line in the
conduit between the metering enclosure and the
junction box at the base of the metering-unit
support structure to facilitate the MSPs
installation of the metering-unit secondary wires.
The customer must install only the MSPs
revenue-metering wire in the conduit between the
metering enclosure and the current
tranformer/potential transfer (CT/PT) units.
Conduits may be metallic or nonmetallic.

6.7.2.5.4.

Telephone Lines Into the Metering Enclosure

If a telephone line is required to read the meter,
the customer is responsible for installing the line
into the metering enclosure and establishing
telephone service. If a land line is unavailable and
cellular signals are acceptable, the use of a cellular
telephone is acceptable.
If the meters telephone line cannot be dedicated
to the meter, the customer, with prior approval
from PG&Es local metering group, may arrange
to use a line sharing switch.
The customer must ensure that the telephone line
terminations in switchboards, panels,

May 1, 2003

6-13

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

pole-mounted meters, and pedestals meet the

following requirements:

Located within 5 circuit-feet of the

centerline of the meter.

Located between a minimum of 18 inches

and a maximum of 72 inches above the
finished grade.

When cellular telephones are used, the same

location requirements apply to the power supply,
as measured from the load side of the meter. The
power supply must be located outside PG&Es
sealable section.
6.8.

Revenue Metering Interconnection Point

Customers who are served at distribution voltage must have the revenue
meter installed at the point of service or when there is a change in
ownership.
High-side metering is PG&Es preferred metering configuration.
However, PG&E will grant exceptions if the customer can demonstrate
that high-side metering will impose extraordinary costs or cause
significant safety issues.
If low-side metering is justifiable, a 2% adjustment factor must be applied
at each stage of the transformation. Line losses are calculated as a function
of the maximum load current through, and the electrical characteristics of,
the line between the point of service and the point of metering.

6.9.

Communications Circuits
PG&E may require communications circuits between PG&E and the
customers generation facilities for the following purposes:

Protection

Energy Management System (EMS)

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)

Voice communications

When external communication circuits are installed, the responsible party

must ensure that the high-voltage protection (HVP) equipment on these
circuits meets all applicable standards.
6.10.

Preparallel Inspection
In order for PG&E to provide the PS customer with a timely
pre-energization service, it is important to meet all the deadlines stated in
this section.

6-14

May 1, 2003

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

It is the PS customers responsibility to ensure that any inspections

required by local governmental and regulatory agencies are complete and
any applicable permits are obtained before the energization date.
6.11.

Required Tests for the PS Customers Equipment Before Energizing

The tests referred to in the sections below apply only to the equipment at
the interconnection point, up to and including the main transformer, and
the relays, along with the PG&E-required connected circuits.
The items below that are marked are the common requirements for both
fused transformers and transformers protected by circuit breakers.
However, fused transformers need to meet only the requirements that are
marked .
The customer has to meet the following requirements:

Ensure that the equipment completes and passes all the tests outlined
in the sections below.

Submit two copies of the test reports to a PG&E representative a

minimum of 10 working days before the requested energization
date.

Ensure that all the test reports identify the equipment in their header
information and that the identification matches the single-line or
three-line diagrams.

Submit single-line and three-line diagrams of the facility along with

the test reports.

The customer must meet all the above requirements and ensure that the
test reports are approved at least 3 working days before the requested
energization date.
6.11.1.

Proving Insulation
A 2,500 volt (V) dc megger or a 1,000 V high-pot test is preferred
for any of the insulation tests below, but a 1,000 V megger test is
acceptable.

May 1, 2003

The main transformer(s) must be meggered

winding-to-winding and each winding-to-ground.

The circuit breaker(s) at the interconnection point that are

operated by PG&E-required relays must be meggered
according to Table 6-4 on Page 6-16.

6-15

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

Table 6-4

Circuit Breaker Positions and Connections

Circuit Breaker Position Connection

6.11.2.

Circuit breaker open

Each pole to ground, pole 1 to 2,

pole 3 to 4, pole 5 to 6

Circuit breaker closed

Pole 1-ground, pole 3-ground, pole

5-ground

If the poles are in a

common tank or cell

Pole 1 to 3, pole 3 to 5, pole 5 to 1

All buses from the interconnection point to the main

transformer must be meggered phase-to-phase and
phase-to-ground.

The main transformer(s) and main circuit breaker(s) must

have a dielectric test performed on the insulating medium
(gas or oil). This test is not required for factory-sealed,
circuit-switcher interrupters.

If the main transformer is fused, all fuses must be checked

for continuity before energizing.

Proving Ratios
The main transformer(s) ratio(s) must be proven by one of the
following methods:

6.11.3.

Using a turns-ratio tester.

Using a voltage-ratio test on the final operating tap. This tap

position must be recommended by PG&E to best match the
present distribution-system voltages.

Circuit Breakers
The following are the requirements for circuit breakers:

6.11.4.

A minimum-to-trip test at 70% or less of the nominal control

voltage must be performed on all circuit breakers or circuit
switchers operated by PG&E-required relays.

The customer must perform a micro-ohm test on the main

circuit breaker(s) at the interconnection point.

The customer must perform a timing test showing the time

from the trip initiation to the opening at the main poles.

Current Transformers and Current Circuits

Customers must perform the following tasks for current
transformers (CTs) and current circuits:

6-16

Check the saturation on all CTs associated with the required

PG&E relays. If this is not possible, a manufacturers curve
is acceptable.

May 1, 2003

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

Prove the ratio of all CTs by using current (primary to

secondary) or voltage (secondary to primary).

Check the CTs for the proper polarity whenever they feed
PG&E equipment.

Check the CT circuits for the proper connections.

Check the continuity of the CTs by performing the following

tasks:

Apply primary current or secondary current at the CT

block.

Verify that the proper current exists in each phase relay

and the ground relay.

Customers must perform each test (primary or secondary) in

all combinations to prove that all phase relays and ground
relays have proper connections.
In addition, customers must ensure that no loose wiring or
parallel current paths exist, by applying or injecting the
current to achieve a secondary reading of 5 amperes (A) in
each relay.

6.11.5.

Check the single phase on each phase of each current circuit

feeding PG&E-required relays.

Megger the total circuit with the ground wire lifted, to prove
that only one ground exists.

Relays/Fuses
The following are the requirements for relays/fuses:

May 1, 2003

Customers must ensure that all the relays are utility-grade

and PG&E-approved. If multifunctional relaying is used,
some form of redundancy is required.

Customers must keep a full set of replacement fuses

(PG&E must approve the size and type) on-site.

Customers must ensure that all relays are field-tested to

specified settings to verify the following items:

The minimum operating point at which the relay picks

up (minimum pickup).

Time delays at three, different, current-test points, in

integral multiples of the minimum pickup, that closely
characterize the relay time-current curve.

6-17

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

The PG&E tolerances listed below:

Current/Voltage/Time
Impedance/Phase Angle
Frequency

6.12.

10 %
0.05 %
0.05 Hz

Energizing
Customers must meet the following requirements before PG&E can begin
the energizing process:

If possible, the customer must use a proven PG&E circuit breaker

for the initial energizing of all equipment. A PG&E representative
must write a test program outlining all the steps to energize the
equipment.

A PG&E technical representative must witness trip checks of all the

required relays. This may require injecting a signal to trigger the
relay. This is to prove that the relay will handle the trip current of
the circuit breaker and to provide relay targeting. Jumpering the
studs on the back of the relay is not acceptable.

After load is placed on the feeder, a PG&E technical representative

must witness the reading of the load current in each phase relay and
the absence of load current in the ground relay. The PG&E technical
representative must then seal the relays. A PG&E technical
representative must witness these tests.

The following are the PS customers responsibilities:

6.13.

To perform all the tests with the PG&E representative as an

observer.

To provide all the test equipment and the qualified personnel to

perform the required tests.

General Notes

The PG&E system has an A-C-B counterclockwise rotation.

Before the customer can make any changes to the PG&E-required

protection equipment or major substation equipment (transformer,
breaker, etc.), the customer must submit the proposed changes to the
PG&E representative for review and to the appropriate PG&E
engineer for approval.

Routine maintenance on PG&E-required protective relays and on

circuit breaker(s) must meet PG&Es maintenance and test practices.
After completion of these tests, the customer must submit the test
reports to the PG&E representative for review and to the appropriate
PG&E engineer for approval.

6-18

May 1, 2003

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

A PG&E technical representative must reseal the PG&E-required

relays at the customers facilities.

May 1, 2003

All questions must be directed to the local PG&E representative.

6-19

Load
Technical Requirements for Load Entities

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

6-20

May 1, 2003

Attachments

Attachment 1
Glossary
This glossary can also be found online at
http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/pdf/wi_handbook/gloss.pdf

May 1, 2003

A1-1

Attachments

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

A1-2

May 1, 2003

Attachments

Attachment 2
Website Addresses
To Locate

Website Link
Section 2 Standard E-NET Interconnection

Tariff Book

http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/

California Public
Utilities Code

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgibin/calawquery?codesection=puc
&codebody=&hits=20

Singleline diagram

http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/enet_diagram.gif

CEC List of Eligible

Inverters

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/buydown/eligible_invert
ers.html

CPUC Electric Rule 2

Description of Service

http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/E
R2.pdf

UL1741 Certification

http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/scopes/1741.html

Section 3 Expanded E-NET Interconnection

CEC List of Eligible
Inverters

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/buydown/eligible_invert
ers.html

CPUC Electric Rule 2

Description of Service

http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/E
R2.pdf

Western Electricity
Coordinating Council
(WECC)

http://www.wecc.biz/main.html

Information on
Expanded E-NET
Generator
Interconnection on
PG&E website

http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/expanded_enet.shtml

California Public
Utilities Code

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgibin/calawquery?codesection=puc
&codebody=&hits=20

Tariff Book

http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/

Rule 21 Generating
Facility
Interconnections

http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/pdf/E
R21.pdf

UL1741 Certification

http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/scopes/1741.html

Interconnection
Agreement for Net
Energy Metering of
Solar or Wind Electric
Generating Facilities
Residential or Small
Commercial Facilities
of 10kW or Less

http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/pdf/enet_interconnection_a
greement.pdf

Rule 2Description of
Service

http://www.pge.com/tariffs/doc/ER2.doc

Appendix J
Generation Operating
Agreement

http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/pdf/wi_handbook/app_j.
pdf

May 1, 2003

A2-1

Attachments

To Locate

Website Link

Section 4 Rule 21 Generating Facility Interconnection

Information on Rule 21
Generators on PG&E
website

http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/retail_gen_rule_21.shtm
l

Western Electricity
Coordinating Council
(WECC)

http://www.wecc.biz/main.html

American National
Standards Institute
(ANSI)

www.ansi.org

Institute of Electrical
and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE)

www.standards.ieee.org

California Public
Utilities Code

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgibin/calawquery?codesection=puc
&codebody=&hits=20

Tariff Book

http://www.pge.com/customer_services/business/tariffs/

UL1741 Certification

http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/scopes/1741.html

Interconnection
Agreement for Net
Energy Metering of
Solar or Wind Electric
Generating Facilities
Residential or Small
Commercial Facilities
of 10kW or Less

http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/pdf/enet_interconnection_a
greement.pdf

Rule 2Description of
Service

http://www.pge.com/tariffs/doc/ER2.doc

Appendix E
Substation Grounding
Requirements

http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/pdf/wi_handbook/app_e
.pdf

Appendix L
Generation Special
Facilities Agreement

http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/pdf/wi_handbook/app_l.
pdf

Appendix Q
Generator Automatic
Sychronizers

http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/pdf/wi_handbook/app_q
.pdf

Appendix R
Generator Protective
Relay Requirements

http://www.pge.com/002_biz_svc/gen/pdf/wi_handbook/app_r.
pdf

A2-2

May 1, 2003

Attachments

Attachment 3
Drawings
Figure A3-1

Underground Primary Service from Underground Distribution

Preferred Service Arrangement Customers Termination Facility
500 Feet From PG&E Splice Box

Figure A3-2

Underground Primary Service from Underground Distribution

Non-Preferred Service Arrangement Customers Termination
Facility > 500 Feet From PG&E Splice Box

Figure A3-3

Underground Primary Service from Overhead Distribution

Preferred Service Arrangement Customers Termination Facility
500 Feet From PG&E Pole

Figure A3-4

Underground Primary Service from Overhead Distribution

Non-Preferred Service Arrangement Customers Termination
Facility > 500 Feet From PG&E Pole

Figure A3-5

Overhead Primary Service from Overhead Distribution Preferred

Service Arrangement

Figure A3-6

Advanced Electric Systems GC-1000 (grid intertie inverter) No

batteries, no transfer or bypass switching

Expanded E-NET Typical Electrical Single-Line Drawing

Rule 21 Example of Single-Line Drawing
Document 053826

Requirements for Distribution Feeder with Synchronous

Generating Equipment

Document 058779

Pole-Top Primary Metering Installation, Cluster Mounted

(12 or 21 kV Line)

Document 060559

Disconnect Switches for Interconnection with Small Power

Producers and Cogenerators

Document 066195

25 kV Underarm Sidebreak Switch

May 1, 2003

A3-1

Attachments

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

A3-2

May 1, 2003

Distribution

Attachments

PG&E Splice Box

with Switch

Customers
Termination Facility
Point of Service
Protection and Metering
Customer provides protective device
PG&E approves settings

Underground

Street

Customers Conduit
and Conductor

Conduit owned and maintained by customer

Conductor by PG&E
PG&E provides one continuous pull of cable to
customers termination facility, not to exceed 500 feet.
Notes:
1. PG&E will install a protective device under a special
facilities agreement if there are extenuating
circumstances that prevent the customer from installing
one. This is an exception and will be handled on a
case-by-case basis
2. If PG&Es primary facilities are across the street, PG&E
will own and maintain substructures in the franchise area
and the customer will own and maintain substructures
on private property. PG&E will still provide one
continuous pull of cable to customers termination
facility, not to exceed 500 feet.

Figure A3-1
Underground Primary Service from Underground Distribution
Preferred Service Arrangement
Customers Termination Facility 3 500 Feet From PG&E Splice Box

May 1, 2003

A3-3

Distribution

Attachments

PG&E Splice Box

with Switch

Primary splice box installed,

owned, and maintained by
customer at a mutually
agreed location at the
property line
Conduit and Conductor
owned and maintained
by customer

Underground

Street

Customers
Termination Facility
Metering
Point of Service
S Customer provides protective device
S PG&E approves settings
Conduit owned and maintained by customer
Conductor and Splices by PG&E
Notes:
1. PG&E will install a protective device under a special
facilities agreement if there are extenuating
circumstances that prevent the customer from installing
one. This is an exception and will be handled on a
case-by-case basis
2. If PG&Es primary facilities are across the street, PG&E
will own and maintain substructures in the franchise area
and the customer will own and maintain substructures
on private property. PG&E will provide cable to the point
of service

Figure A3-2
Underground Primary Service from Underground Distribution
Nonpreferred Service Arrangement
Customers Termination Facility > 500 Feet From PG&E Splice Box

A3-4

May 1, 2003

Attachments

PG&E Distribution
Pole and Riser

Disconnects on pole by PG&E

Customers Meter Enclosure
Point of Service
Metering and Protection
Customer provides protective device
PG&E approves settings
Street

Conduit owned and maintained by customer

Conductor by PG&E
PG&E will provide one continuous pull of cable to
customers termination facility, not to exceed 500 feet.

Notes:
1. PG&E will install a protective device under a special facilities agreement if there
are extenuating circumstances that prevent the customer from installing one.
This is an exception and will be handled on a case-by-case basis
2. If PG&Es primary facilities are across the street, PG&E will own and maintain
substructures in the franchise area and the customer will own and maintain
substructures on private property. PG&E will still provide one continuous pull of
cable to customers termination facility, not to exceed 500 feet.

Figure A3-3
Underground Primary Service from Overhead Distribution
Preferred Service Arrangement
Customers Termination Facility 3 500 Feet From PG&E Pole

May 1, 2003

A3-5

Attachments

PG&E Distribution
Pole and Riser

Disconnects on pole by PG&E

Customers Termination Facility
Metering

Street

Conduit owned and

maintained by customer
Conductor by PG&E

Conduit and Conductor owned

and maintained by customer

Point of Service
Primary splice box installed, owned, and
maintained by customer at a mutually
agreed location at the property line
Customer provides protective device
PG&E approves settings

Figure A3-4
Underground Primary Service from Overhead Distribution
Nonpreferred Service Arrangement
Customers Termination Facility > 500 Feet From PG&E Pole

A3-6

May 1, 2003

Attachments

PG&E Distribution Pole

Disconnects on pole by PG&E
Point of Service
Customers Pole

Customers Conductor

Street

Customers
Riser
Meter
Enclosure

Customer provides protective device.

PG&E approves settings.
Protective device pole must be as close as
possible to metering pole, not to exceed 50 feet.
Note:
PG&E will install a protective device under a special facilities
agreement if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent
the customer from installing one. This is an exception and will be
handled on a case-by-case basis.
Figure A3-5
Overhead Primary Service from Overhead Distribution
Preferred Service Arrangement

May 1, 2003

A3-7

Attachments

A3-8

Main Service
Entrance Panel

24 x Siemans SR-100
solar Equipment
24 x 100 watt
Panel Modules:
4 in series=50 blts
x 6 modules

UL-1741
Inverter Units

20ampere
2-pole breaker

Lockable Disconnect

Figure A3-6
Advanced Electric Systems GC-1000 (grid intertie inverter)
No batteries, no transfer or bypass switching

PG&E Meter

3 - 10 ga. conductors
1 - 12 ga. ground

May 1, 2003

2-pole, 30ampere
Square D DU 221 RB

Ground Rod

12 - 8 ga. conductors
(2 per module)
1 - 8 ga. ground

Attachments

Attachment 4
Equipment
List of Eligible Inverters

May 1, 2003

A4-1

Attachments

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

A4-2

May 1, 2003

Attachments

Attachment 5
Rule 21 Process
Rule 21

Application/Interconnection Process Flowchart

May 1, 2003

Attachments

Attachment 12
Forms and Agreements
Authorization To: Receive Customer Information or Act on a Customers Behalf
Generator Interconnection Agreement
Generation Operating Agreement
Generation Special Facilities Agreement
E-9 Checklist

(All Customers Selecting the Schedule E-9 Rate Must Complete

the Following Qualifying Checklist)

Form 62-4527

Agreement to Perform Tariff Schedule Related Work

Form 79-280

Agreement for Installation or Allocation of Special Facilities for

Parallel Operation of Nonutility-Owned Generation and/or
Electrical Standby Service (Electric Rules 2 and 21)

Form 79-285

Pacific Gas and Electric Companys Special Agreement for

Electrical Standby Service

Form 79-756

Natural Gas Service Agreement

Form 79-843

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Standby Account Data Sheet

Form 79-854

Interconnection Agreement for Net Energy Metering for

Residential and Small Commercial Solar or Wind Electric
Generating Facilities of 10 Kilowatts or Less

Form 79-973

PG&E Generating Facility Interconnection Agreement

Form 79-974

Generating Facility Interconnection Application

Form 79-978

Interconnection Agreement for Net Energy Metering of Solar or

Wind Electric Generating Facilities of 1000 kW or Less, Other
than Residential or Small Commercial Facilities of 10 kW
or Less

Form 79-988

Generating Facility Interconnection Agreement (3rd Party

Non-Exporting)

Form 79-992

Customer Generation Agreement (3rd Party Generator on

Premises) (Non-Exporting)

May 1, 2003

A12-1

Attachments

Form 79-994

Application for Interconnecting Residential or Small

Commercial Net Energy Metering (E-NET) Customers with
Solar or Wind Electric Generating Facilities of 10 Kilowatts or
Less

Form G2-2

Relay Test Report

Form G5-1

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Generation Preparallel

Inspection (For Relay Technician)

Preparallel Inspection Checklist (E-NET, Expanded E-NET, Rule 21 Export, and

Rule 21 Non-Export Generators) (For Field Metering Group)

A12-2

May 1, 2003

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