Solar disconnect labels are required under NEC 690.13(B) and 690.15. The system disconnect must be permanently marked "PV SYSTEM DISCONNECT" and show open/closed position. Where both sides can be energized in the open position, an "ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD" warning is required. Per NEC 690.53, the DC disconnect also needs maximum system voltage, Vmpp, Impp, and short-circuit current.
You call for inspection. The inspector walks straight to your DC disconnect, looks at the label, and shakes his head. The label says "SOLAR DISCONNECT" - not "PV SYSTEM DISCONNECT." That's a fail. You reschedule, come back, re-label, and lose a day. The fix costs almost nothing. The label costs less than a dollar. The reinspection fee and the lost crew time cost a lot more.
Solar disconnect labeling is one of those areas where the code is very specific and AHJs enforce it word for word. NEC 690.13 and 690.15 each have distinct requirements that cover different disconnects on the same job. Know the difference and you label every disconnect correctly on the first visit. This article covers every disconnect label requirement under current NEC code - what text to use, where the label goes, and what electrical data must appear on the tag.
What Labels Are Required on the PV System Disconnect?
NEC 690.13(B) requires that the PV system disconnecting means be permanently marked with the following:
Required text: "PV SYSTEM DISCONNECT" or equivalent wording. The disconnect must also plainly indicate whether it is in the open (off) or closed (on) position - this is usually handled by the equipment manufacturer, but verify it's visible. Warning label if applicable: If the line and load sides of the disconnect can both be energized in the open position - which is common with utility-interactive inverters - a separate warning label is required. The warning must state "ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD - TERMINALS ON THE LINE AND LOAD SIDES MAY BE ENERGIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION." This warns both inspectors and any electrician who might service the system. Electrical data under NEC 690.53: The DC disconnect label must also display:- Maximum system voltage
- Rated maximum power-point voltage (Vmpp)
- Rated maximum power-point current (Impp)
- Short-circuit current (Isc)
These values come directly from your engineering package. They must match the plan set exactly - an inspector who spots a voltage mismatch between your label and your approved plans will fail you on the spot.
Where Does the PV System Disconnect Need to Be Located?
Placement matters as much as label content. Per NEC Article 100, the PV system disconnect must be in a readily accessible location - not on a rooftop, not behind locked equipment, not above 6.5 feet from the floor.
The disconnect must be mounted between 4.5 and 6.5 feet high (standard accessible height). If the disconnect is accessible to unqualified persons and operates above 30 volts, the enclosure must require a tool or key to open - so you need a lockable enclosure, not just a label.
When the PV system disconnect is grouped with other service equipment, it must be clearly labeled and distinguishable from other disconnects. A proper "PV SYSTEM DISCONNECT" label prevents confusion in the field and is the first thing an inspector checks in a grouped service area.
NEC 690.13(C) limits the number of disconnects for a single PV system to six. If your design uses multiple disconnects, each one needs its own compliant label.
What's the Difference Between NEC 690.13 and 690.15 for Disconnect Labels?
This trips up a lot of crews. NEC 690.13 and 690.15 are both about disconnects, but they cover different things.
NEC 690.13 covers the system-level disconnect - the main disconnect that isolates the entire PV system from the building's electrical system. This is what emergency responders would use to de-energize the solar system. NEC 690.15 covers equipment-level disconnects - the isolating devices on individual components like inverters, charge controllers, and battery systems. These let a technician service one component without shutting down the whole system.The 2023 NEC updated 690.15 to use the "in sight from" standard: the equipment isolating device must be visible and no more than 50 feet (15 meters) from the equipment it serves. If that's not achievable, the disconnect must be lockable or remotely controlled.
| Feature | NEC 690.13 | NEC 690.15 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Entire PV system | Individual equipment (inverters, etc.) |
| Label required | "PV SYSTEM DISCONNECT" | Equipment identification per 690.53 |
| Location requirement | Readily accessible | In sight from equipment (≤50 ft) |
| Shock hazard warning | Required when both sides can be energized | Required when both sides can be energized |
What Labels Go on the AC Disconnect?
The AC disconnect - which isolates the AC output of the inverter from the building's electrical system - also needs a label per NEC 690 and Article 705.
At minimum, the AC disconnect must be labeled to identify it as a PV system disconnect. Many crews use a combined label on the AC disconnect that reads "AC DISCONNECT FOR SOLAR PV SYSTEM" to distinguish it from the DC disconnect and from the main service disconnect.
Where the AC disconnect is grouped with service equipment, labeling is even more critical. The inspector needs to immediately identify which disconnect belongs to which system. Print Pro AZ carries AC disconnect labels pre-printed with the required NEC language in red-on-white and white-on-red formats.
Do I Need Shock Hazard Labels on the Disconnect Even When It's Off?
Yes - and this is one of the most frequently overlooked requirements. On utility-interactive solar systems, the DC side can remain energized by the PV array even when the inverter is shut down. The DC disconnect may have live voltage on the load side from the inverter's internal capacitors, and live voltage on the line side from the PV array.
Per NEC 690.13(B), any disconnect where both the line and load sides can be energized in the open position must have a visible warning. This is a permanent label, not a hang tag or loose placard. It must meet NEC 110.21(B) durability requirements.
Don't assume your disconnect enclosure's factory label satisfies this. Verify that the warning text is present, visible, and meets the minimum letter size requirements for the installation environment.
What Is the NEC Label Durability Requirement for Disconnect Labels?
NEC 110.21(B) sets the standard for all field-applied labels: they must be suitable for the environment. Outdoors in Phoenix, that means UV-resistant material that doesn't yellow, crack, or peel in 150°F heat. In coastal California, that means moisture resistance. Indoors in a garage panel, standard polycarbonate works fine.
Handwritten labels don't meet this standard. Inkjet-printed paper labels don't meet this standard. The moment an inspector sees a label that's fading or peeling, it's a flag - and he's going to look harder at the rest of your work.
Print Pro AZ manufactures disconnect labels from UL 969-rated polyester and polycarbonate. They're UV-resistant, rated for outdoor exposure, and pre-printed with the exact NEC-required language. AHJs vary by city - always confirm locally - but our labels have passed inspections in every state we ship to.
FAQ
What must a PV system disconnect label say?
Per NEC 690.13(B), it must say "PV SYSTEM DISCONNECT" or equivalent wording, and indicate open/closed position. If both sides can be energized in the open position, a separate "ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD" warning label is also required.
Does the NEC require electrical data on the solar disconnect label?
Yes. NEC 690.53 requires the DC disconnect label to show maximum system voltage, Vmpp, Impp, and Isc. These values come from the engineering package and must match the approved plan set.
How high should the PV system disconnect be mounted?
Per NEC Article 100, the disconnect must be in a readily accessible location, typically between 4.5 and 6.5 feet from the floor. Rooftops don't qualify as readily accessible.
Can I use the same disconnect label on both the AC and DC sides?
No. The AC and DC disconnects serve different circuits and need distinct labels. Many AHJs want the AC disconnect labeled "AC DISCONNECT FOR SOLAR PV SYSTEM" to avoid confusion with the DC disconnect. Print Pro AZ carries both variants.
What happens if my disconnect label doesn't match the approved plans?
It fails inspection. The inspector compares your field labels to the approved plan set. Any mismatch in voltage values, current ratings, or text is a failure reason. Always pull final engineering values before printing job-specific labels.
3 Key Takeaways
1. "PV SYSTEM DISCONNECT" is the required text under NEC 690.13(B) - not "solar disconnect" or any other variation. Use the exact code language.
2. 690.53 electrical data is required on the DC disconnect - max voltage, Vmpp, Impp, and Isc from your engineering package, not generic values.
3. Shock hazard labels are mandatory when both sides of the disconnect can be energized in the open position, which is the case on virtually every utility-interactive solar system.
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