Does anyone know the process to upgrade from 60A to 80A breaker in Cape Town?  Is there an application process or can one just go ahead with it assuming incoming supply is compliant for 80A.

Thanks.

Depends what you want to do with it. CoCT already stated they won't upgrade it if your sole reason for requesting the upgrade is to install a larger solar system.

One guy here bought an electric car and managed to use that as a reason for the ugrade. Forgot who it was...

The process is the same as applying for a new connection. Start here, the pdf you need is at the bottom (new or modified application form).

Hi OP, did you get any more details on this?

I'm in Cape Town too.

I'm looking to do the same as my main switch trips due to ovens being used in the 2 apartments.

What are the costs involved and does it increase the monthly charges?

Thanks.

12 hours ago, Fpz said:

Hi OP, did you get any more details on this?

I'm in Cape Town too.

I'm looking to do the same as my main switch trips due to ovens being used in the 2 apartments.

What are the costs involved and does it increase the monthly charges?

Thanks.

If the geysers are not on solar this is the ideal application of a load switch. Ensure that each apartment has a load switch fitted in the DB to switch off the geyser when the stove and/or oven is switched on. This can save 28A of your total CoCT power use. 

On 2023/12/17 at 8:10 PM, Scorp007 said:

If the geysers are not on solar this is the ideal application of a load switch. Ensure that each apartment has a load switch fitted in the DB to switch off the geyser when the stove and/or oven is switched on. This can save 28A of your total CoCT power use. 

Thank you for the hint, I did not know about it. I'm considering getting solar soon.

Having said that, CoCT will not approve inverters larger than 13.8kw on a 60amp connection, but will approve up to 18.8kw inverters on a 80amp connection.

I thought I could use the apartments load as motivation to upgrade my connection to 80amp, as I really want a 16kw inverter in the long run.

Cheers.

 

On 2023/12/17 at 8:10 PM, Scorp007 said:

If the geysers are not on solar this is the ideal application of a load switch. Ensure that each apartment has a load switch fitted in the DB to switch off the geyser when the stove and/or oven is switched on. This can save 28A of your total CoCT power use. 

These might work for this kind of application

10 hours ago, Fpz said:

Thank you for the hint, I did not know about it. I'm considering getting solar soon.

Having said that, CoCT will not approve inverters larger than 13.8kw on a 60amp connection, but will approve up to 18.8kw inverters on a 80amp connection.

I thought I could use the apartments load as motivation to upgrade my connection to 80amp, as I really want a 16kw inverter in the long run.

Cheers.

 

I would use the proper unit inside the db board it is called a Energy Controll Unit and comes in diffrent current switching models. I know @Scorp007said in another post they were used in the olden days 😂but i still use them on occasion they are trusted units that does the job very well and will pass a PFC(prospective fault current) test on the db.

https://daynightpty.co.za/product/cbi-energy-control-unit-electronic/?sfdr_ptcid=41319_617_672229655&sfdr_hash=f40f2a6ce37dccdd8163adf2f8768a82&gclid=CjwKCAiA-P-rBhBEEiwAQEXhH8JFYK7rsB_7LUAoP3yWRLs39DSKHzVQ7Llw11QKtVNPp6FCfX19oxoCwr4QAvD_BwE

Edited December 19, 20231 yr by TaliaB

15 hours ago, VicB7 said:

These might work for this kind of application

 

7 hours ago, TaliaB said:

I would use the proper unit inside the db board it is called a Energy Controll Unit and comes in diffrent current switching models. I know @Scorp007said in another post they were used in the olden days 😂but i still use them on occasion they are trusted units that does the job very well and will pass a PFC(prospective fault current) test on the db.

https://daynightpty.co.za/product/cbi-energy-control-unit-electronic/?sfdr_ptcid=41319_617_672229655&sfdr_hash=f40f2a6ce37dccdd8163adf2f8768a82&gclid=CjwKCAiA-P-rBhBEEiwAQEXhH8JFYK7rsB_7LUAoP3yWRLs39DSKHzVQ7Llw11QKtVNPp6FCfX19oxoCwr4QAvD_BwE

Thank you, I will mention this to the electrician.

For now I first have to rewire my house as I have a leak somewhere and can't install an earth leakage, which is a blocker for installing Solar. This is what the electrician advised.

The house is 70 years old...

57 minutes ago, Fpz said:

The house is 70 years old...

Yeah i agree the insulation of the wires could be compromised if 70 years old don't think it will pass a IR test.