Good day all 

Please can someone explain to me how to connect the output from the inverter to the house main DB board  so that the  existing lights wiring and one or two existing plug wiring can be used when the inverter is on.  And then for the lights and plugs  to be returned to normal when the mains power comes back on . 

Many thanks in advance

GordonT

If you are not an electrician, or have some sort of practical experience in that area, I must advise that you employ the services of a professional to do this.

What you have to do is "split the DB". Some people install a new separate distribution board and move their backup circuits to this new DB. Others make a physical separation in the existing DB and clearly mark it.

Splitting the DB in this manner requires that for each circuit you must identify both the live and the neutral conductor serving that circuit (and hope there are no shared neutrals or other shenanigans left behind by previous cooks in the kitchen). The backup circuits get their own RCD (earth leakage) on the output of the inverter, as well as their own neutral bar.

You usually also need to install a changeover switch, so that the backup circuits can be connected to the grid instead of to the inverter. Something like the Hager SFT240.

Edited August 17, 20206 yr by plonkster

Thanks Plonkster for your input..   I forgot to mention that I do not intend to use solar panels as then the installation is a real no no in the Western Cape /Cape Town area...   I have been told that the only way you can connect an inverter to a main Db board is to do it with out solar panels in my area.    I do not intend to install the inverter myself  I just need to know that  I am not being taken for a trot so to speak.   Thanks Again

Regards GordonT 

7 hours ago, GordonT said:

the only way you can connect an inverter to a main Db board is to do it with out solar panels in my area

Well, there are ways to do it legally. It requires a bit of paperwork, and sometimes you need an engineer to sign it off (depending on system type).

I believe Axperts are being approved as off grid set ups now, before I switched over to the Victron ( grid tied) 😀, my off grid Axpert schematic that I sent in as a scouting expedition was told it would be approved, and have heard of other forum members getting approved

Thank you  Tarig   so you telling me that at some stage i could connect solar panels to my system in the Cape Town area ??

yes, but I think you would have to re-do the approval process again, when you add solar panels, so maybe you could get your approval for the maximum number of panels to start with and then add them later, not sure though, maybe another member can comment