COC for a solar system

[Alfred M]

If hybrid systems is used in parallel with incoming mains and any switchgear is changed at point of consumption (db board) then a new coc is warranted. Labelling of db board should indicate that alternate supply is present and in case of emergency both mains supply and alternate supply should be isolated. Pv systems are deemed fixed installations and there are no legislation in SA governing the installation we should at least expect pv installers have acquired green card for installations. There are many alternative supplies available if not connected to incoming mains supply (Free standing ups systems) then coc is not required.

[Alfred M]

Here is another link when using a DC breaker but polarity reversed.
DC Circuit Breaker Fires

Always check the polarity and also which is supply and which side is load.
When using multiple poles on a breaker for a single circuit, there is a proper way to connect which will reduce arcing as well. Do a search on the web.

Dc contactors or breakers have blow out magnets that are polarity sensitive + to +and-to - the polarity is stated on the connecting studs

[Alfred M]

https://www.durakoolrelays.com/information/technology/blowout-magnets-what-they-are-why-use-them/

[Alfred M]

Dc supply always more positive than load side. As contactors or interuptors are in series of the positive lead the + always go to the battery or array the load is always more negative than the source

[GCE]

I've been asked to do a COC for a new solar installation(panels, inverters the works). As far as I'm aware there is no COC specifically for a solar installation or sections in the existing COC that covers solar. You would only tick on the alternative supply box. Is this correct ? I've seen solar installers offering a COC with the installation, which has got me doubting myself.

From the question you pose I am understanding that a supposed "Solar installer " has installed the system and is now asking you as a separate Electrical contractor to sign off on the installation .
On a new installation you cannot sign it off unless it was under your general control according to the OHSA an extract pasted below. By signing off on the PV plant you are supporting an illegal contractor.

Solar installation is Electrical Installation work and DC work needs to be under the general control of an installation electrician.Solar installers should be registered as Electrical contractors and belong to the NBCEI .


At the moment SANS have create confusion , in my opinion, with regards to COC for PV .
If you are doing Solar ensure that you write up under comments as to what was done and ensure that all tests are carried out - There is nothing wrong with attaching your own test sheet to the COC.

The latest SANS 10142-1 ED3.01 states that SANS 10142-1-2 Should be used for SSEG installations - Part 2 was published last year and then withdrawn.

Extract from the Foreword of SANS10142-1 ED3.01
The test report in edition 3 may be used in parallel with the test report in
edition 3.1 for a period of 12 months from the date of publication of edition 3.1.
With the first edition of this part of SANS 10142, the standard was subdivided
and now consists of the following parts, under the general title The wiring of
premises:
Part 1: Low-voltage installations.
Part 1-1: Low-voltage installation in medical locations.
Part 1-2: Additional special requirements for low voltage small scale
embedded generator installations connected in parallel to the normal electrical
supply.
Part 2: Medium-voltage installations above 1 kV a.c. not exceeding 22 kV a.c.
and up to and including 3 MVA installed capacity.
Table 4.1 contains a list of the applicable standards for the components that
may be installed in an electrical installation.





Extract frpm OHSA - Electrical Installation Rules
Issuing of certificate of compliance
9. (1) No person other than a registered person may issue a certificate of compliance.
(2) A registered person may issue a certificate of compliance accompanied by the required test report only after having satisfied himself or herself by means of an inspection and test that
(a)
a new electrical installation complies with the provisions of regulation 5(1) and was carried out under his or her general control; or
(b)
an electrical installation which existed prior to the publication of the current edition of the health and safety standard incorporated into these Regulations in terms of regulation 5(1), complies with the general safety principles of such standard; or
(c)
an electrical installation referred to in paragraph (b), to which extensions or alterations have been effected, that
(i) the existing part of the electrical installation complies with the general safety principles of such standard and is reasonably safe, and
10 No. 31975 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 6 MARCH 2009
(ii) the extensions or alterations effected comply with the provisions of regulation 5(1) and were carried out under his or her general control.

[GCE]

Pv systems are deemed fixed installations and there are no legislation in SA governing the installation

PV systems are covered in legislation under SANS 10142-1 extensively in section 7.12 and 7.15 and falls under the definition of Electrical Installation work

we should at least expect pv installers have acquired green card for installations.

A " Green Card " has no Statutory standing and does not qualify one to install solar plants - Only the OHSA ,electrical regulations , and SANS 10142-1 are the only Statutory requirements

There are many alternative supplies available if not connected to incoming mains supply (Free standing ups systems) then coc is not required.

If the UPS is a plug into socket outlet and then a single PC plugs in then I agree - The bigger units that are connected to electrical installations are covered under SANS 10142-1 section 7.12 and a COC would need to be written for the Electrical Installation work that takes place.

7.12 Alternative supplies
NOTE Alternative supplies include but are not limited to low-voltage generating sets,
photovoltaic (PV) installations, gas generators, diesel generators, wind turbines and
hydropower plant.

7.12.1.2 Subclause 7.12 covers, but is not limited to, the following:
a) alternate supply that consist of a combination of an internal combustion
engine or a turbine, hydro plant, wind energy recovery installation or any
similar source of mechanical energy and an alternator or a d.c. generator;
b) rotary UPS (uninterruptible power supply) systems that consist of a
combination of an electric motor and an alternator, with batteries as a
standby power source for the electric motor, or with an internal combustion
engine, gas or turbine as a standby power source for the alternator;
c) static UPS systems that consist of static inverters with batteries as the
standby power source (with or without bypass facilities), and
d) installations similar to those in 7.12.1.2(c), but sourcing energy from
photovoltaics or other sources.

[Derlyn]

Ok, it has taken a loooong time, but I have completed my first inverter and battery install.

Everything tests hunky dory.

Now for the COC. I have read up what I can, searched this forum, but am still unclear as to what format test report is used.

I have seen some contractors use the "normal" test report on the reverse side of the standard Annexure 1 yellow coc.
I have also seen contractors using some other "special" test report that they get from ECA.

Are either of the above acceptable and legal ?

What test report do you guys, who have installed many systems already, use ?

This toppie needs some help, please.

[Isetech]

Simple, you add a standard supplimentary COC/test report to the initial test report/COC for the property and add any one of the solar test reports doing the rounds. I will send you one of the many SSEG test reports I have collected since I started doing solar installations.

The import things to note:

Make sure your neutral/earth bond works when in islanding mode, eitehr by a permanant bond, relay or some inverters have a relay built in. As we doscussed on the phone, the neutral earth bond will be determined by the brand of inverter you use.

You will need to check with your local electricity supplier, if you need an earth spike, this is another topic which has created much confusion amongst contractors. Some engineers will not sign off the SSEG registration if you have fitted an earth spike, so best you check with your local guys.

It would be a good idea to install surge arresters on the grid side and UPS. I fit one at the main switch of the grid and the AC control box main switch.

Then dont forget to check out the guidlines for lithium battery installtions, anotehr grey area topic causing a lot of confucion amongst contractors. It seems the fires post on soicial media al have something in common and its not the lithium battery, its seems the home made DC control boxes are proving to be a major problem, both for safety and fire hazards.

I use this guidlen for lithium battery installs, until someone can show me one for SA, I am going to stick to using this guidleine. I have checked with the engineers in my part of SA and they agree with this guidline.

https://www.evergreenelectrical.com.au/blog/best-location-solar-battery?fbclid=IwAR195b0_mFaAYaNvdtPAGHsVPM1JOXPc_yjEBgRaqAeSNfKXLWmhAHlg2zk

[Isetech]

I have sent you the PDf, get smart and use fill and sign to complete the document and just remeber dont sign the document until you ar e100% sure it is correct, you can save it and modify if you dont sign, but once you attach the sugniture, you cant modify it.

I use it to fill out the test report/COC, that way you never have to waste money buying piles of documents to sit in file 13.

[Derlyn]

Thank you very much for your assistance, brother. Much appreciated.
Have a lekker day.