PV immersion/heater switch - SOLIC

[solar warrrior]

And of course as you can see it works!

May work but you are only compliant to Class A EMC standards which is an industrial level. Is it not illegal to connect Class A equipment to houses?

 

[SibertSolar]

This just got interesting

 

[fredfred2]

May work but you are only compliant to Class A EMC standards which is an industrial level. Is it not illegal to connect Class A equipment to houses?

Under 16A is class A.

This has got interesting. Agreed. I've never seen a manufacturer disclose details about how their stuff operates internally. I'd love to know more about the control side, about how the "algorythm" works (whatever that is!).

There is a lot of chatter about standards compliance and stuff that I've been following. I've installed a few different units over the last few months, and apart from some problems with some Immersun units, as far as I can tell, none cause any flicker, radio interference or wierd behaviour anywhere. But I did once accidentally leave a ring main connected to the immersion heater with a TA Wooldridge controller and all sorts of wierd stuff started happening around the house. My mistake.... At least I didn't break anything!

Isn't amazing that Immersun have apparently sold over 4000 units. Their system must be compliant or else the DNO's would be jumping up and down on them. If it isn't, there will be a huge legal case or 'recall'. That would be interesting. Mind you I'll probably make some extra cash to fix/replace them if they are not legal!

Someone emailed me stuff about the standards a while back which I just dug out, and from what I understand, all appliances under 16A are classified as type A: (quote from the standard)

There are 4 different classes in the EN 61000-3-2 that have different limit values:
Class A: Balanced 3-phase equipment, household appliances excluding equipment identified as class D,
tools, excluding portable tools, dimmers for incandescent lamps, audio equipment,
and ALL other equipment, except that stated in one of the following classes.
Class B: Portable tools, arc welding equipment which is not professional equipment
Class C: Lighting equipment.
Class D: PC, PC monitors, radio, or TV receivers. Input power under 600 W.

When I sign stuff off, I have to be able to quote which classification, power factor, rating, leakage and balance (for 3 ph) the appliance is. Every grid qualified leccy knows this stuff............ Not sure about the electronics stuff though.

-fred

 

[EWP]

The SOLiC 200 is fully EC compliant for use in domestic EU properties. :90:

We provided the relevant CE supporting test data when requested by one of distributors before they stocked us, so it is also third party checked. :icon4:


I think you are muddling EU and US compliance up there Solar?


Maybe not quite so interesting then?

 

[Steve_rutland]

I'm looking at using a unit like this to heat a vented direct tank then pump the water through a plate heat exchanger to give me hot water rather than using the combi all the time. Interesting......yep

 

[solar warrrior]

I think you are muddling EU and US compliance up there Solar?

EMC is a complex area made worse by the fact that to buy the relevant standards costs a lot of money so hardly anyone buys them. I was going on the fact that in EN 55022, 55011 and similar specs it says:-

ITE satisfies the Class B disturbance limits. This class covers equipment intended primarily for use in the domestic environment and may include:

• Equipment with no fixed place of use, for example, portable equipment powered by built-in batteries
• Telecommunication terminal equipment powered by a telecommunication network
• Personal computers and auxiliary connected equipment

Also in Industrial | EMC Integrity: EMC emissions and immunity testing services for commercial, military and aerospace industries. it says:-

Whether a product is tested to Class A or B limits for emissions will be determined by where the product will be marketed and/or used. Class B emission limits apply to residential environments; Class A emission limits apply to commercial, industrial and all other environments. Are using the term Class A and B in a different sense, in which case I apologies for the slur? Does it pass EN 55022 and 55011 Class B?

EN 55011 Class B is very challenging e.g. simply putting a triac or thyristor in a circuit and powering it fully on may be enough to fail it without an EMC filter. Let alone the problems of what happens when it is not fully on.

I have used homebuilt products like these with no filter and have had no EMI problems. But that does not mean that the law does not demand that they pass Class B, as there is a theoretical possibility that in some cases EMI will be a problem.

 

[EWP]

We tested under the relevant product BS standard which is on the side of unit that encompasses EN 55022 and 55011 and it has passed Class B.

By the way the SOLiC 200 has EMC filters for both output and input.

So yes we are 100% compliant for fitting in domestic settings.

 

[infinity]

I have had a call back from the first solic unit we installed. Apparently the unit continuously sends 1.3KW to the immersion even if the solar is not generating this much. has anyone else had problems?

 

[Gavin A]

oops doesn't sound good.

 

[EWP]

Sorry to hear you have an issue give me call on Monday and we will get it sorted.

Tel 01235 818122

 

[danesol]

It would appear Solar Essence are now selling this units;

Solar Powered Immersion Heater

 

[Worcester]

Interesting extravagent claim for the Solic unit by Solar Essence "Capable of saving hundreds of pounds annually on energy bills" don't know anyone else that claims that "hundreds" - that's more than 2 (>£200 / yr ..)

 

[infinity]

As my previous post it would seem a component had failed, which to be fair can happen in any piece of equipment these days. What I will say though, is the customer service was excellent. I said what the problem was, they then contacted the customer (as I'm away) realised the fault and arranged to visit site to change the unit for another one!
So top marks on that front and let's hope it was just a rare occurrence in the failed component.