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Solar supply on test reports

Alan B

How do I document and test existing solar secondary supply when adding or modifying an installation that includes solar but not working on the solar system.

I have worked on a few installations now that have main supply plus solar, I have no training on solar installations.

I look to make sure cabling looks professional and that there are isolators on DC input to inverter and AC output from inverter, use them to isolate the supply while I work.

On the test report I record that there is a second supply and that it's solar but I don't do any testing or open anything up.

Is this enough or do I need to start learning more about solar and doing more?

I haven't worked on an installation with battery but same question.

Also if I was asked to do an EICR do I just agree with the owner that the EICR doesn't include the solar installation or do I need to decline the job until I get more knowledge on solar?

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  • 0

    we could be behind the curve in CPD for its implementation

    Good point.

    Now I'm thinking down that line, BS 7671 would cover the a.c. wiring to the inverter and the d.c. wiring between the inverter and the panels, but presumably the safety of the inverter itself would be treated more like a fixed "appliance" - but presumably with a few extra challenges. Does the "Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment" cover PV inverters?

       - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    AJ, have you any idea of the caliber of candidates on PAT courses? I wouldn’t trust my kettle with them let alone an assessment of the safety of a PV inverter.

    I do think that some of the top guys setting rules and regulations or otherwise pontificating, ought to have a good look at what’s going on at the lower levels where most of the safety inspections are conducted. 

  • 0 in reply to lyledunn
    lyledunn said:
    I do think that some of the top guys setting rules and regulations or otherwise pontificating, ought to have a good look at what’s going on at the lower levels where most of the safety inspections are conducted. 

    Well, I can vouch for the fact that it's not the case for all in that position ... but I did notice you used the word "some".

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  • 0 in reply to lyledunn
    lyledunn said:
    I do think that some of the top guys setting rules and regulations or otherwise pontificating, ought to have a good look at what’s going on at the lower levels where most of the safety inspections are conducted. 

    Well, I can vouch for the fact that it's not the case for all in that position ... but I did notice you used the word "some".

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