I hope this is the correct place to start this thread.

I would like to know if anyone knows what the rules are regarding the installation of an Inverter (not grid tied) to essential loads in your DB. Are there any requirements other than an additional isolator for the additional feed and RCD protection (were required)? I am being told that at the very least an alternate supply needs to be on its own row in a DB or that an additional board must be installed where the essential loads will be taken to. This does not square with my understanding and I cannot find anything clear in the SANS regulation requiring mechanical separation. Does anyone know the correct answer to this and can provide me the relevant section to refer to in the SANS code?

 

Many Thanks.

19 hours ago, Enrico Zanolin said:

I would like to know if anyone knows what the rules are regarding the installation of an Inverter (not grid tied) to essential loads in your DB.

Good question!

I just finished such installation at my friends home. Initially I planed the essential section in the free space of its DB. When we went to buy the material they told us that we must install a separate DB, so we did. But I would also like to see the corresponding applicable regulation.

Hi guys, there is definitely some confusion about Separate/Splitting AC DBs. I have attached an article about the subject. I have posted it before and I think it’s in the downloads section. This should clarify the regulations. 

Splitting the AC DB.pdf

Thanks a ton, this was very informative. I doubt I will be able to convince my electrician(s) of it though. Both that consulted on my installation were insisting on a physically split DB. I don't mean to cause trouble and I know they must at times have a frustrating job dealing with amateurs, but I also do not want to slap a DB on a wall that I don't have to.

Cost aside, its unsightly and based on their plan of action would require the extension of cables for any circuit that you want protected from the existing DB into the new one. This in itself introduces points of failure, mess and confusion.

I see that there is a requirement in the code for a visual(or audible) indicator of the secondary feed status, which I had read in section 7.12 of the SANS code before, but which I have NEVER seen in practice in any DB that I have looked at. Could you clarify if the indicator is on the input or the output of the secondary feed isolator? In other words if I open the isolator in the DB should the pilot light turn off or stay on? In some respects it makes sense to me that it stays on, but in that case it seems to me that it would potentially be setting a precedent of also needing an indicator on the incoming grid feed too, as the light could lead to mixed messaging and incorrect assumptions.

Many thanks again.

3 hours ago, Superfly said:

Thanx for that but I can't see the " Neutral and Earth must be bonded at the source"  - I have a spike at the metre box. Seems it's a Terra-thing - thus bonded my panels to it. Am I going to die if lighting strikes?

 

Edit:  Obviously we do not get lightning in the fairest Cape.. just curious - trying to learn this rather off-the-cuff stuff. 

To preface, I am not an electrician and I am not an expert. With that out the way...

Don't confuse grounding (for lightning protection) and neutral bonding. Roughly speaking neutral bonding is the act of joining your neutral wire and earth, this is often done for safety and so that earth leakage detection devices function correctly. It is an important consideration when alternate supplies are installed (inverter generators etc) especially if they are not galvanically isolated inverters. Grounding on the other hand is the act of running a wire from an exposed metal chassis to ground so that the wire is the preferred electrical path and not your body(or anything else).

To answer your question, no in my opinion you will not die . However if your grounding system develops a fault it is possible that a strike runs through your house to find the shortest path to ground. This is highly unlikely but I personally would have a local ground spike for the panels and additionally connect that to the house earth spike. An earth spike is cheap enough, hardest thing to acquire is the elbow grease to drive it into the ground.

Side note, the earthing of solar panels is not only for lightning protection but mainly for protection from faults.

Consider reading

it contains a lot of useful information on the subject.

Edited April 19, 20231 yr by ezanolin

Hi @ezanolin

My understanding is that the indicator is placed on the input, as there is still power supplied to the main breaker (Grid or Inverter). 
 

Sorry, I don’t have a pic of the faceplate with the labels, although the bottom section is grid and top is inverter “Essentials”. 
 

 

Edited April 19, 20231 yr by Chunks