Inverter feed

[Dylboy]

Hello

Something not sitting too well with me and would appreciate some guidance please.

There is an inverter that is fed from the TOP of the Main Switch, the Main Switch is an Earth Leakage.

Now if you isolate the Main Switch the inverter DB still has power.

The inverter DB which has a change over and stuff has a main switch for the AC in from the top of the ELU and then a CB for the out put.


So is it ok that the Main Switch in the DB does not isolate the feed to the inverter rather the inverter DB does that isolation.

The feed from the TOP of the Earth leakage main switch as it's CB in the inverter DB which is its main switch (double pole)

Basically is It ok that the main DB main switch does not isolate the feed to the inverter DB ?

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[Derlyn]

Nope. It's not ok. The main switch of the installation MUST isolate the WHOLE installation.

How many times have I found this where a second dwelling ( granny flat ) has been built and then the bright spark takes the supply to the granny flat from the top of the main breaker.

I refuse to issue a coc where I find the above.

[GCE]

Not allowed
Main switch must be the main switch , everything will need to be switched off - The Local main/sub main for the inverter is still needed .

It would be similar to taking the stove point from the top of the ELU and then saying that the stove has an isolator which is the main switch - I did say similar

[Dylboy]

Brilliant thanks all!

I do agree. I always have it so that the main switch does all but this one I saw is not like that and not chuffed haha.

Have not seen it to often so when I saw if Bells went off and searched Sans a bit on site and didn't pick up a quick obvious. Will try find the Reg and then tell the client and motivate to get it changed.



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[GCE]

Here are 2 clauses that should sort any argument


5.3.7 Disconnecting devices
An installation shall have disconnecting devices that allow the installation to
be disconnected for maintenance, testing, fault detection or repair. In the case
of circuits or items of equipment, additional disconnecting devices could be
required to allow disconnection for maintenance, testing, fault detection or
repair of such circuits or equipment.

6.6.1.1 Each distribution board shall be controlled by a switch-disconnector
(see 6.9.4). The switch-disconnector shall:
a) be mounted in the distribution board or adjacent to the distribution board in
the same room,
b) in the case of the main or first distribution board of an installation, be
labelled as "main switch",
c) in the case of a sub-distribution board, be labelled as "sub-main switch" "or
main switch" if the board is labelled "sub-board…",
d) in the case where an alternative supply is installed (emergency supply,
uninterruptible power systems (UPS), etc.), be labelled as required in
7.12.2.1, and
e) have a danger notice on or near it. The danger notice shall give instructions
that the switch-disconnector be switched off in the event of inadvertent
contact or leakage.

[Dylboy]

Ahhh yes that is true ! Will use those.

Also found the below: and as far as I know the installation is the Main DB and not the Kiosk at the wall for the property either.

6.9.1.1 Each installation shall have one disconnecting device to disconnect
the entire installation, except in the case of multisupplies or more than one
transformer supplying the installation where each supply shall have its own
disconnecting device. There shall be a notice fixed next to each such
disconnecting device indicating that the installation has more than one main
switch-disconnector.


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[Dylboy]

What are your thoughts on this then.. same House hahaha.

The little CB is a 15Amo and does the gate motor...

This is not controlled via main switch in the DB...

So it's wrong but now to get a feed there from the DB is major major work.

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[Derlyn]

What are your thoughts on this then.. same House hahaha.

The little CB is a 15Amo and does the gate motor...

This is not controlled via main switch in the DB...

So it's wrong but now to get a feed there from the DB is major major work.

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[ATTACH]8600[/ATTACH]

Remove the AC supply from gate motor.
Install a small solar panel to keep the gate battery charged.

I have done a couple of gate installations that are far from the house.
40 or 60A/h lead acid battery, solar panel ............ sorted.

[Dylboy]

Ah good idea ! Funny thing is it is not even 10 meters away the DB hahaha.

The solar is a good one, a secure complex as well so does not need tobe like farm safe solar haha

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[Dylboy]

Remove the AC supply from gate motor.
Install a small solar panel to keep the gate battery charged.

I have done a couple of gate installations that are far from the house.
40 or 60A/h lead acid battery, solar panel ............ sorted.

Uncle, what solar charger do you normally use for this setup if I may ask ?

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[GCE]

What are your thoughts on this then.. same House hahaha.

The little CB is a 15Amo and does the gate motor...

This is not controlled via main switch in the DB...

So it's wrong but now to get a feed there from the DB is major major work.

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[ATTACH]8600[/ATTACH]

Assuming the 15 Amp is in the meter box on the boundary next to the mein incoming cable.

Install a surface weatherproof DB next to the meter box. Route main cable from house to DB and mains from Meter box - This will be the main DB and the present one will become Sub DB

[Derlyn]

Uncle, what solar charger do you normally use for this setup if I may ask ?

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https://www.takealot.com/20a-solar-charge-controller-with-usb-2024/PLID53811594?gclid=CjwKCAjw0dKXBhBPEiwA2bmObT4OJE2OXak9REGnIFVnDZpZzoEP4mlLFTDH2-scHukRod0rqcgorxoCXjAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Chinatown. 20A = R200 ; 30A = R300 ; 40A = R400.

[Dylboy]

Assuming the 15 Amp is in the meter box on the boundary next to the mein incoming cable.

Install a surface weatherproof DB next to the meter box. Route main cable from house to DB and mains from Meter box - This will be the main DB and the present one will become Sub DB

Ah brilliant, I know that trick but didn't even cross my mind sadly. Thank you again GCE !

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[Dylboy]

https://www.takealot.com/20a-solar-c...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Chinatown. 20A = R200 ; 30A = R300 ; 40A = R400.

Brilliant ! Perfect price for application and the charge voltages appear to be in line as I read while in a que haha.

Nice solution that one !

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[Isetech]

https://www.takealot.com/20a-solar-c...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Chinatown. 20A = R200 ; 30A = R300 ; 40A = R400.

And as everyone shouts, but they are not approved. You can only smile and shake your head, what is "approved" and if you can buy the product from Chinatown and nobody is regulating then why not.

If the house burns down, who cares, the insurance company will come up with some excuse why they are only going to pay out a small percentage or nothing at all.

The best part is the "insurance approved contractors", China town has nothing on these contractors. The floods certainly opened the flood gates for every "insurance approved contractors" to come out the wood work