Hi Folks,

My son in law has just had a large PV solar installation done and asked me to look over it.

I noticed they ran the earth wire from the panels to the spike down a down pipe from the gutter and directly through paving. Whilst I'm not familiar with domestic wiring regulations, this has to be illegal ???  My brother in law spoke to the installer who is adamant its quite legal and refuses to run the earth in a conduit down the wall.

Could someone familiar with relevant wiring codes confirm if this is illegal and the codes where its stated ?

Many thanks in advance

MalcolmT

 

Hahaha, through the gutter. 🤣

 

I cannot help with the regulations, but I know the SANS table has options for cable run without conduit. I have seen this done at some other homes as well.

Would the gutter not classify as conduit?  

 

 

Name and shame.

Whether or not it is legal, think about the blockages this could create. If your gutter is blocked, the water could push back into the roof.

Hi folks,

Happy Friday.

If it was my house I'd have named and shamed in a heartbeat.

The owner of the installation company said there is nothing  in the regulations to say a down pipe can't be used as a conduit. He's probably correct, but then there's nothing on a microwave to say you  mustn't use it to dry off the wife's Yorkie...unless you live in the USA. An ex workmate of mine would say "You need a certain amount of dog f... to work on this stuff, every little do and don't cant be documented "

Where the earth wire enters the paving is definitely illegal and he has the regulation number. So whilst he's fixing that, he may as well be a good bunny and do it properly.

 

Thanks for the input, its appreciated.

Cheer's

MalcolmT

On 2023/07/19 at 11:42 AM, MalcolmT said:

Hi Folks,

My son in law has just had a large PV solar installation done and asked me to look over it.

I noticed they ran the earth wire from the panels to the spike down a down pipe from the gutter and directly through paving. Whilst I'm not familiar with domestic wiring regulations, this has to be illegal ???  My brother in law spoke to the installer who is adamant its quite legal and refuses to run the earth in a conduit down the wall.

Could someone familiar with relevant wiring codes confirm if this is illegal and the codes where its stated ?

Many thanks in advance

MalcolmT

 

I am guessing they avoid using a dedicated conduit as those conduits are quite expensive. They pulled a similar stunt with my aircon wiring. The dude hid away the wires behind my gutters and had a nasty connection with some insulation tape open to the elements, not good.

2 hours ago, HendrikBigChief said:

I am guessing they avoid using a dedicated conduit as those conduits are quite expensive. They pulled a similar stunt with my aircon wiring. The dude hid away the wires behind my gutters and had a nasty connection with some insulation tape open to the elements, not good.

The plastic conduit? That stuff is pretty cheap, or does one need to use some different type of conduit?

On 2023/07/19 at 11:42 AM, MalcolmT said:

noticed they ran the earth wire from the panels to the spike down a down pipe from the gutter and directly through paving.

Downpipes are not suppose to accommodate wires it is not the purpose of a downpipe it has to do with best practice not always about being illegal or regulations. I will make the electrician installer to rectify it as it is not common practice.