Gooney Bird Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 A family member had an installation done during last week which in my mind leaves me with many questions and uncertainty hence I would appreciate some advice as this family member is by no means knowledgeable when it comes to the rights and wrongs and legal implications of this solar installation. Herholdts was contacted whereby a Master Installer was highly recommended by the salesperson whereby a site inspection was later done by this installer. A quotation for a Sunsynk 5kw inverter together with a Sunsynk 5.32 Kwh battery and 10xJA 460w solar panels was decided upon whereby a huge deposit was promptly paid to the installer. Lat week, almost two months since the deposit was paid the installer arrived and did the installation although not completing or commissioning the solar system due to challenges with the location of the system opposed to what was initially discussed and agreed upon. The installer had agreed upon to return in order to commission the system in the future when a power cable is accessible at the point of installation. As for now the system is installed together with the solar panels but as yet has not been switched on due to the main DB being at a different position thereby creating a challenge for the owner to ensure that a power cable is supplied to the point of the installation. Prior to the installer leaving the site I was able to question him on several issues as well as on certain concerns I have. The following are some of my concerns The installation is relatively neat however during the installation several unsettling things were noticed. -The earth and neutral were bridged together with an green earth wire and when questioned I was told that it is the correct way as he does not use any other method including relays or earth neutral bond box. -Prior to the installer leaving there were several items that I collected from the floor of the battery and inverter although I could not check in the boxes myself as they were removed.(See attached Photographs) -I did notice the yellow comms cable as well as the box which I believe is the CT coil and then another clear wire with a metal probe at the end which resembles some kind of temperature probe, all of which were never removed from this packaging at all. When I asked the installer about the CT coil he replied that he does not use it due to it causing the inverter to make a noise and causes distortions. As for the comms cable he said that he makes up and uses his own comms cable which incidentally I had noticed during the installation was eventually routed together with another cable in the same sprag tubing and trunking due to the trunking already having been installed against the wall and hence omitting the hole being drilled for comms cable to be installed separately. As for the clear wire in the photograph I did not have the opportunity to ask why it was not installed too as I only discovered it lying on the floor after they had left. I also found several rawl-bolts still in their packaging that was supplied with the inverter and the battery and were never used in the installation, instead white plastic nail in anchors were used to secure the inverter and the battery as well as the DC and AC electrical combiner boxes along with the trunking against the wall which I personally would not have done if I was installing anything as heavy. My main concern thus far was the fact that when I questioned the installer about who would be signing off my Electrical COC that will be supplied to me upon completion of my installation, he remarked that he would be issuing the COC to me with a friend's approval and signature who is a qualified and registered electrician. I then questioned him if his friend would be present and visit the site of the installation prior to completion and final sign off and handover of the system whereby the owner and installer stated that he would be taking photographs of the installation and would be showing his qualified friend to sign off and approve the work done during the installation. I also have a major concern in that I personally witnessed 5 different people working on different electrical switchgear, wiring, panels and electrical equipment including the main DB Board during this installation, this despite all of them are said to be competent however according to my knowledge and subsequent questions and investigations not one of them is legally qualified as an installation electrician nor in possession of the necessary legally accepted qualifications required by the relevant Government Department or the ECB despite being adamant and confident that they are able to do the work competently and legally. I am not trying to get rid of the installer as he was given the job after all however several red flags are showing up and it seems that certain shortcuts have been taken and what was promised is in fact not materialising as expected. As mentioned, the system has not at all been commissioned yet due to changes suggested at the last minute by the installer which has led to us having to make additional provision for an alternative extended power source (AC Power Cable) than initially anticipated and planned for and now having to furthermore prepare for the supply of the extended AC cable to the point of the installation. I would also like to know what size/diameter AC cable would be necessary in order for the 5kw inverter and system currently being installed but it must also be sufficient and correct for future upgrades to a 8kw inverter and system if and when required in future. I know this is a long-winded message with my concerns I have but I would sincerely appreciate constructive feedback and advice on what to do and how to do it 100% correctly and legally as it is not too late yet. I would like to hear what the experts have to share and hence you are also welcome to send me a PM if you would like to comment offline. Jacques Ester and Steve87 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virwat Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 2 hours ago, Gooney Bird said: A family member had an installation done during last week which in my mind leaves me with many questions and uncertainty hence I would appreciate some advice as this family member is by no means knowledgeable when it comes to the rights and wrongs and legal implications of this solar installation. My main concern thus far was the fact that when I questioned the installer about who would be signing off my Electrical COC that will be supplied to me upon completion of my installation, he remarked that he would be issuing the COC to me with a friend's approval and signature who is a qualified and registered electrician. First things first... Family member or your install? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockin Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Is the pv cables from the solar panels in plastic conduit? If so you need a qualified solar installer to redo the system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve87 Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 What a mess. Whether there is any distortion represented by this post the most important thing as an installer is to offer an assurance & get ppl on your side. Sometimes there are lots of questions & concerns but you need to make the end user feel safe & comfortable with where their money has gone. Also you can't have 5 different ppl working on a single DB or set of switch gear. However, there are those that carry out 1 day installs & this is the quality or lack there of that you get. @Gooney Birdsorry for this poor experience but this type of slap dash work is common place. Tim003 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooney Bird Posted July 31 Author Share Posted July 31 18 hours ago, Virwat said: First things first... Family member or your install? As I said I was assisting a family member during her installation as she does not have the knowledge to know what is correct and what not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooney Bird Posted July 31 Author Share Posted July 31 18 hours ago, Shockin said: Is the pv cables from the solar panels in plastic conduit? If so you need a qualified solar installer to redo the system Hi Shockit I am not sure what you mean At some point the PV cables are in a conduit leading up to the roof where the solar panels are affixed. The pv cables are also routed in sprag tubing at certain points. Please elaborate and give me the correct way and what you exactly mean and why plastic conduit is a problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooney Bird Posted July 31 Author Share Posted July 31 17 hours ago, Steve87 said: What a mess. Whether there is any distortion represented by this post the most important thing as an installer is to offer an assurance & get ppl on your side. Sometimes there are lots of questions & concerns but you need to make the end user feel safe & comfortable with where their money has gone. Also you can't have 5 different ppl working on a single DB or set of switch gear. However, there are those that carry out 1 day installs & this is the quality or lack there of that you get. @Gooney Birdsorry for this poor experience but this type of slap dash work is common place. Hi Steve It is indeed sad to see the atrocious workmanship of some individuals as all they are interested in is their own wellbeing and not the client's, All is not lost though and I have to make a bad situation good again hence I need some correct answers and advice before the final commissioning of this system. Maybe I could contact you and check with you what can be done and what I should look out for next and what possibly needs to change or be re-done if need be? It will also serve me better to know what is required by law? Could I perhaps contact you via pm or alternative means? Derek3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMac Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 21 hours ago, Gooney Bird said: -The earth and neutral were bridged together with an green earth wire and when questioned I was told that it is the correct way as he does not use any other method including relays or earth neutral bond box. You can read this post as it has some great information: Sunsynk, and the earth neutral bond, again! 21 hours ago, Gooney Bird said: When I asked the installer about the CT coil he replied that he does not use it due to it causing the inverter to make a noise and causes distortions And this one: Inverter Technical Questions - CT Coil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve87 Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 Yes @Gooney Birdfeel free to contact me via PM or actually I think you already have my mobile number. To answer the questions you had: Neutral Bonding cannot be hard bonded & yes it a law now & has been placed in the new SANS docs. A suitable relay or Contactor must be used. The Temp probe that was not used is no big deal this is for Lead acid batteries & is not a requirement for the lithium batteries as their is an internal BMS carrying out the temperature control & that will act in place of this boxed temp probe. The CT coil.is an absolute must if there are non essentials on the DB board. If however, this is just a backup system & there are no panels involved then it may be omitted, however, the Sunsynk relies heavily on the CT coil & it really makes up part of the minimum equipment to get good operation out of the machine. The only legal part I see that is a problem is the Neutral to earth hard bonding. The other stuff is up for debate but there are good ways of carrying out an installation & a shoddy way. Scorp007 and Greglsh 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaliaB Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 22 hours ago, Gooney Bird said: I then questioned him if his friend would be present and visit the site of the installation prior to completion and final sign off and handover of the system whereby the owner and installer stated that he would be taking photographs of the installation and would be showing his qualified friend to sign off and approve the work done during the installation. The above is also not lawful! How is the remote friend electrician going to supply a test report if not on-site. COC is not valid without a test report. There is many tests that need to be done before issuing any COC. Attached test report that needs to be completed by an IE or MIE. 2020-TEST-REPORT-GENERAL-Template.pdf Chris Louw, Tim003, Derek3 and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve87 Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 @TaliaB100% correct. I once had an IE try to recommend the same to me. I absolutely refused his offer. I told him if you not there physically to carry out the testing of the test report I will get someone who is willing to visit the site. To me this is borderline fraud. Chris Louw, TaliaB, Scorp007 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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