After doing loads of solar installations i am now told by a electrician who upgraded the customers DB board mentioned that the inverter has to be installed in a fireproof box if its to remain in the house, or be installed outside the main house in a ventilated box.

PV cables also need to be installed in separate PVC pipes or one steel pipe or kopex pipe.

I am assuming he means the live and neutral in separate PVC pipes.

A 40 KA surge arrestor before and after the inverter.

Anyone on this form know about the new specifications and having witnessed many installations none are compliant then.

Wayne

Can you ask that electrician to point you to the exact SANS codes which require that?

https://sapac.co.za/blogs/news/2023-04-18-18-05-this-is-what-you-need-to-know-with-regards-to-solar-pv-systems-fire-protection-and-structural-stability

This is what i managed to dig up.

Will ask him and hopefully get some clarity.

14 minutes ago, Wynem said:

https://sapac.co.za/blogs/news/2023-04-18-18-05-this-is-what-you-need-to-know-with-regards-to-solar-pv-systems-fire-protection-and-structural-stability

This is what i managed to dig up.

Will ask him and hopefully get some clarity.

What I see in that document is this:

 

As far as I know, usually the wall between a house and an an attached garage is build higher and is considered a fire wall. This means an inverter and batteries installed in a garage should be compliant by the fire requirements. Not sure about those installing inverters and batteries in the living rooms though. Maybe the electrician is right for those cases.

However, I'm not a specialist. Maybe other installers like @Steve87, @Leshen, @YellowTapemeasure and @Treschen can provide expert opinion.

 

 

Edited May 16, 20233 yr by PowerUser

On 2023/05/16 at 4:06 PM, PowerUser said:

What I see in that document is this:

 

As far as I know, usually the wall between a house and an an attached garage is build higher and is considered a fire wall. This means an inverter and batteries installed in a garage should be compliant by the fire requirements. Not sure about those installing inverters and batteries in the living rooms though. Maybe the electrician is right for those cases.

However, I'm not a specialist. Maybe other installers like @Steve87, @Leshen, @YellowTapemeasure and @Treschen can provide expert opinion.

 

 

its very difficult to install according to certain standards as some dwellings do pose their own challenges, one would not want want a fire proof enclosure in their lounge.

If the inverter comes into a kitchen or living room, all safety standards need to be followed. Breakers, separation of DC and AC cable etc, now a fireproof enclosure is a different story some people just don't have the space, even if they had the space would you put a hideous fireproof enclosure ?

The solar PV power system code of practice is currently in draft format.. Not legislated as yet.

Hmmm...

https://www.master-instruments.com.au/files/battery_information/2021_mi_pylontech_us3000_sds.pdf

In the Ausie SDS, Pylontech batteries are not rated as a fire hazard, so no J1 classification and no separation requirement?  EU SDS has them listed as fire warning, and not fire danger, so no special storage required there either.  I have not found an SA SDS yet, but I somehow doubt they will be classed as a fire hazard here.