Hi Everyone, after more than two years of lurking and my current UPS needing a small fortune in new lead acid batteries I've decided to take the plunge and setup a whole home UPS with the option to expand to solar in the future. My biggest concern is in terms of documentation I need to prepare for the city of Cape Town, when I can do what, and some details around the installation where I'm finding conflicting info on the forum.

I've done a few off-grid installs for friends and family in the Karoo, but this will be my first attempt at designing a system for the city. I'm planning on getting a Multiplus-II 5000 with some Pylontech batteries (though a few people have been pushing me to take a look at the Hubbles). I've already got my essential loads on a second DB and I plan to connect that to the AC out of the Multiplus. On the input side I want to have non-essential loads running if there is excess inverter capacity during an outage. Now, what I'm not sure about is if I can just put an ET112 on the input side and leave it at that or do I require an additional anti-islanding device like a Ziehl with some contactors?

At this point I am also unclear on any documentation or application processes that have to be performed with the city, as it is initially only going to be used as a UPS, is it sufficient to just have a CoC as defined by Appendix 4 the Requirements for Small-Scale Embedded Generation? In future when I plan to add some panels and MPPTs I can follow the normal design and permission process then?

Having found how difficult it is to contact CoCT myself I suggest you find someone authorised to sign off your installation and deal with them. You are going to need this done any way..

Hi @HSG, If you plan on adding solar panels one day, might as well do the paperwork for a grid tied system, this way you do not have to do it twice.

ps, you don't need an ET112 with a Victron, as it already has one built in, you hook up non-essentials to AC2 and essentials to AC!

Edited March 16, 20215 yr by Tariq

10 hours ago, Richard Mackay said:

Having found how difficult it is to contact CoCT myself I suggest you find someone authorised to sign off your installation and deal with them. You are going to need this done any way..

I've been reasonably lucky dealing with CoCT, seems I've got a way with them that surprises a lot of my contractors...

9 hours ago, Tariq said:

Hi @HSG, If you plan on adding solar panels one day, might as well do the paperwork for a grid tied system, this way you do not have to do it twice.

ps, you don't need an ET112 with a Victron, as it already has one built in, you hook up non-essentials to AC2 and essentials to AC!

Hi @Tariq, is there any limitation on how long the documentation is valid for? I'm probably only going to get panels installed in two years or so. I guess I want to know if I can get away with doing the UPS part now without waiting x-months for a full system approval.

I know I could hook it up like that, but the way my DB is setup it would be easier for me to put in an ET112 and leave it otherwise unchanged, my only concern is if that is sufficient for anti-islanding in the eyes of the regulations.

28 minutes ago, HSG said:

I've been reasonably lucky dealing with CoCT, seems I've got a way with them that surprises a lot of my contractors..

 

Well you must have a different phone no. that you are dialing because the advertised one never gets answered!

@HSG, you are right regarding the time limit for completion, will try to find my “ approval to install “ email.

 Regarding islanding, the Multiplus is on the CoCT approved list of inverters, and that is their main concern, so no need to worry about anti-islanding

The process is very easy.
All one must remember that they are government employees and it takes time.  THere is a very simple procedure to follow.:
 

1. Do electrical and get COC for the cables etc.  cost +/- R800
2. Do the solar and get COC for Solar +/- R 1000 per Kwhr.
   
   I use two persons for this and can assist you at no cost.  Once all is done you complete the form and make sure the COC for solar is done properly.  THen the COC takes 2 - 3 Hrs quick and easy.

I have the latest form and you are welcome to complete it with your details and send in in. I also have a single line drawing that you can use.   The importance is to do it right from the start.  That I will gladly assist you.

The only problem is that to get the solar approved to be installed by the council takes time.  Once that is done it takes time to get the meter installed.

For a starte in COCT the meter box MUST MUST MUST be on the pavement.  You need to put it in a box, add a trip breaker and prepare it and get it ready for the council to install the meter.

That is it.  An very easy task follow the steps and start applying now. If you are lucky the meter will only be installed end of June beginning of Jul that is a very fast installation.

And that is it.   If I can advise you take a 5mm square tubing from the roof and a new earth spike.  Unless you are 300% the earth is to specification before the electrical COC gets done.  Else you will have to pay again and it is cheaper to do it from the start.

Edited March 16, 20215 yr by Erastus

On 2021/03/16 at 8:00 PM, Tariq said:

@HSG, you are right regarding the time limit for completion, will try to find my “ approval to install “ email.

 Regarding islanding, the Multiplus is on the CoCT approved list of inverters, and that is their main concern, so no need to worry about anti-islanding

Thanks @Tariq I look forward to hearing from you!

23 hours ago, Erastus said:

The process is very easy.
All one must remember that they are government employees and it takes time.  THere is a very simple procedure to follow.:
 

1. Do electrical and get COC for the cables etc.  cost +/- R800
2. Do the solar and get COC for Solar +/- R 1000 per Kwhr.
   
   I use two persons for this and can assist you at no cost.  Once all is done you complete the form and make sure the COC for solar is done properly.  THen the COC takes 2 - 3 Hrs quick and easy.

I have the latest form and you are welcome to complete it with your details and send in in. I also have a single line drawing that you can use.   The importance is to do it right from the start.  That I will gladly assist you.

The only problem is that to get the solar approved to be installed by the council takes time.  Once that is done it takes time to get the meter installed.

For a starte in COCT the meter box MUST MUST MUST be on the pavement.  You need to put it in a box, add a trip breaker and prepare it and get it ready for the council to install the meter.

That is it.  An very easy task follow the steps and start applying now. If you are lucky the meter will only be installed end of June beginning of Jul that is a very fast installation.

And that is it.   If I can advise you take a 5mm square tubing from the roof and a new earth spike.  Unless you are 300% the earth is to specification before the electrical COC gets done.  Else you will have to pay again and it is cheaper to do it from the start.

@Erastus if you don't mind sending me a message that would be great and I can compare it with what I've already got.

When I redid all my electrical last year I had CoCT install a new supply with split pre-payment and a box on the street, I specifically asked them to do everything they need to to ensure I can do a drop-in AMI install when the time comes.

Thanks for the tip on the earth spike, I did have a new one driven in to complement the original one, but more can never hurt.