DC isolators......lockable?

S

Steve_rutland

Just a quickie, in order to meet regs, do DC isolators need to be lockable on a pv install?
 
Righty, got an installer here saying my DC isolators have to be lockable. Will try and find the reg he is quoting.
 
Reg? You won't find it. There isn't one. Don't even need a separate DC isolator nowadays, if the inverter has one built in that meets certain criteria, none of which involve the word 'lockable' ;-)


KG32 T104 is the model number for a Kraus & Naimer DC isolator


<edit> might be a good time to find an alternative installer. Y'know, one that knows what the hell he is doing.
 
I've read a lot of posts that agree with what your saying and I think you're right, but, he's emailed me a link to a page on Swithenbanks lockable DC isolator that states it has to be lockable. Sooooo confused lol
 
Lol, well I've got 4 here that aren't lockable, but this one guy is quoting this reg and website that says they need to be, so now I'm scratching my head Doh!
 
Steve_rutland said:
I've read a lot of posts that agree with what your saying and I think you're right, but, he's emailed me a link to a page on Swithenbanks lockable DC isolator that states it has to be lockable. Sooooo confused lol
Click to expand...

So what? Ask him to email you the relevant reg. or the passage from the DTI guide/G83 document that says it must be lockable. He's not quoted any reg at you, just shown you a link to a retailers website. Last time I checked, information provided on retailer's websites was not legally enforceable. Alternatively, buy new isolators. Why ask the question?
 
Maybe he's getting confused about the requirement for an AC isolator that is securable in the office position only? The reason I say that is that the K&N unit is actually an AC isolator that, according to K&N, is load-break rated for DC and passes the requirements for DC21 utilisation category......(little bit tongue in cheek but those who know me will know why....) ;-)
 
bottom line - DC switch disconnectors or isolators do not need to be securable in the office position, according to the "best practise" recommendations, although it certainly wouldn't hurt if they were. Also, as has been stated already, if your inverter has a suitably rated unit already built-in then you do not necessarily need to fit an additional external DC switch disconnector near to the inverter. Whether you choose to fit one near the array or not is up to you.
 
I dont do PV systems but I would prefer to have a DC lockable isolator as the last thing I would want is some twonk to switch it on whilst I was working on the invertor or AC end.

But then again that is my opinion.
 
The inverters unfortunately don't have built in isolators and I have 2 top notch ABB double enclosed units here which aren't lockable but were pricey. Hence my concern. He's asking now for my inverter MCS compliance data New one one me, as I thought that was covered by the G83/1 compliance report. Think you are right about the AC ~ DC isolator confusion. Just don't know what this KG32 T014 thing is all about.
:-/
 
Strange ones. The inverter doesn't need to be MCS - it needs to be G83 compliant.

And there is no reason for a DC isolator to be lockable. If you're working on the inverter then you can simply unplug the leads from it. If you are working elsewhere then you can lock off the AC isolator.
 
Caveat - main DC array switch disconnector needs to be load-break rated. Any other form of DC isolation should not be disconnected under load.....such as connectors.
 
Awwww this just gets better....now i'm being told my Renusol roof system 'isn't certified to be included in installations that are to comply for the FIT tariff'!!!
 
It is a Renusol VarioSole SE kit. I bought it from a solar roofing contracting company.
 
Gotta say, in a geeky kind of way, this is actually quite interesting! Am almost at p36 ;-)
Where did you find the info on the roof mount system out of interest? I see it's TUV approved, but that was all i could find.
 
That is just a part number, not a reg.
If you look at your link it even say's part no...

Steve, you really need to find some better help on this.

Added, sorry you are moving on to the next problem, this is for the DC isolator.
 
This is my problem. I have spoken to some local installers...hence the above ^^^...have joined here, learnt loads (thanks to all), but ultimately i have to use a local firm for the MCS signoff and am struggling to find anyone who seems to agree with what i have learnt on here.
I see what you mean by the part number now, just the email i got said it was a reg. Brain is scrambled, been up since 4am on an early shift and then bombarded with 'problems' with my existing kit lol.
 
Steve, believe me, most of the experts that post on here are correct (always) I have personally followed them through the learning curve of PV over the last couple of years, with all the ever changing rules and regs, but also the technical side of things too.

If I could come and help you I would, but I am not an MCS company so sadly I can not help,
Maybe someone will for a sensible fee?
 
Thanks Kevin. This forum has been a God-send and i have learnt a lot in a short period of time, thanks to people like you.
I do wonder if the installer was talking about MCS012, but from what i read, it isn't compulsory until Sept 2013, so who knows lol. I'm sure i'll get there in the end.
 
Have blown this installer off now. Emailled me today saying my Renusol wouldn't be any good until Sept 2013 as it isn't MCS accredited until then. So he's basically got MCS012 around his neck. And he's still insisting i have to have lockable isolators with a conformity cert. Had enough, so he's gone.
 
Glad to hear it. It really gets on my moobs that companies are operating out there with such a fundamental lack of basic knowledge. It's not as though this stuff is open to interpretation either, it's spelled out in black and white.
 
Was just really getting on me that he kept emailling telling me i couldn't use this or that isn't certified or something. Back on the search now, but have a couple of numbers to try.
 
Two things need to be certified - the panels and the MCS company. Your Eversolar inverters also comply with regs but are probably not the best option for this job.
 
This is exactly what i've had to tell the guy (and he should know). Seems scarey that i'm having to tell him what's what when he's an installer. Everthing i know either comes from the good people on here or reading micro generation pdfs', so i'm in no way an expert! Bizarre.
 
Lol, there's plenty of scary stuff goes on out there Steve.....thank goodness that the majority of designers/installers that are still into renewables are a credible/conscientious bunch now that a lot of the fly-by-night's have gone....
 

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