Stepping into PV

[jason121]

My MCS inspector told me that you dont always need a structual calc and my first MCS inspector never mentioned bonding to the array, My teacher for solar thermal who is a qualified installer for PV also mention that bonding to earth stake was wrong
Isn't the DTI regs just a guide not statutory regs, just a comment so dont bite my head off:62:

 

[Worcester]

Don;t want to get into discussion as to the rights and wrongs of these installs, bonding, calcs etc here, - lots of other threads on those. The purpose was to point out - it isn't simple, in fact your very comments point out just how much is debatable and down to experience and interpretation. On the one with no MCB though that is definately wrong as there is no protection to the cable. We advised him accordingly.

 

[MrKnowItAll]

Agree with all the above from Worcester. There's a lot of information about bonding, rcd protection etc in the dti guide. For someone who hasn't been on a pv course, a solid read of the dti will give you a good deal of information regarding the technical nature.

 

[moggy1968]

Don;t want to get into discussion as to the rights and wrongs of these installs, bonding, calcs etc here, - lots of other threads on those. The purpose was to point out - it isn't simple, in fact your very comments point out just how much is debatable and down to experience and interpretation. On the one with no MCB though that is definately wrong as there is no protection to the cable. We advised him accordingly.

it's a suprisingly common misconception though, because the RCD has an overload rating on it people think thats overload protection, not rrealising thats just the RCDs breaking point and you still need an MCB (or RCBO)

 

[yellowvanman]

Installed another 2 ImmerSUN's today , neither of them our installs, on BOTH the array 10mm earth had been linked into the existing PME system. One had no DC isolators on a SMA SB4000TL, the other used 2.5mm figure of 8 chinese T&E, neither had structurals calcs done, neither had recieved a Building Regs certificate, both were connected through dedicated CU's with RCD's (good - except--) - one had a spare way in it, the other (SB4000TL) was connected though a double pole 25A 30ma RCD (not RCBO), no MCB, one so close to the edges and ridge a good northerly wind would put great strain on the roof.

Did you highlight all the short comings to the customer?

 

[Worcester]

Did you highlight all the short comings to the customer?

As politely as we possibly could, you know what people atre like, these are their darlings, they are really proud of them and they won't take comment / criticism likely. What we did do is point out that we wouldn't have done the various items that way and why, the RCD however we were a lot stronger on, and advised him to contact a local qualified electrcian immediately.

If any were dangerous, or would have caused imminent problems, it would have been different - like the RCD. We did advise them about nusiance tripping etc, however as both were on their own CU's they should only trip themselves. Also things like when you come to sell you'll need the building regs certifcates and copies of the calcs, so advised them to contact their respective suppliers and get them from them. Not really a lot more they can do after the event, unless they are unhappy.