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Guidance for plug in solar for Electricians

Alan B

We are now a few days from plug in solar being legal. The likes of Martin Lewis is recommending people should ask an electrician to check their installation before plugging a solar system in.

I have seen various comments referring back to changes in the law and changes to the specification for a 13A plug.

But I haven't seen any guidance from IET, NAPIT or NICEIC for electricians stating under what conditions it's acceptable to plug one of these systems in.

Personally as it stands today based on what I have seen I would not be willing to say iny installation is acceptable unless it was a single socket on it's own circuit protected by a bidirectional type A RCBO. Which I am sure isn't what the government wants.

Have I missed something, is something in the pipline?

I know lots of people will just do it, but in those situations I am not responsible.

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    Chris

    You are quite correct BS 7671 does not deal with things that get plugged in to an installation, that is for legislation and product standards.

    BS 7671 does however deal with the consequences of plugging things in to an installation such as EVs, appliances with a DC component and AC appliances with high AC leakage currents.

    The need for bi-directional RCDs came in with the emergency Amendment 3 as a safety consideration came to light that could not wait for a full amendment. It was put in for fixed solar installations in accordance with 712. The same risks apply to plug in solar.

    JP 

  • 0 in reply to John Peckham

    I have already spoken to three customers who are considering purchasing plug in solar. All I have been able to say so is that according to the regulations I am working to at the moment I don't believe its possible to make the installation compliant and safe.

    It may be over the top, but I am not changing my advice until there's clear advice. If did anything I woukd be leaving myself every exposed if something went wrong.

    By the way Napit already guide that type ac rcds should be coded as a c2 when electronic loads are  ir likely to be connected.

  • 0 in reply to John Peckham
    John Peckham said:
    It was put in for fixed solar installations in accordance with 712. The same risks apply to plug in solar.

    John, I am with you there.

    I cannot see how the imposition of a plug-outlet and socket-inlet changes the physics, or indeed, the risk.

    However, the politicians have made up their (collective) mind.

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