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Hello,

I'm planning a small (500W) install with two panels and a dual micro-inverter (APS YC500i) and was hoping to get some advice.

Before I start, I'm aware that adding a new circuit is notifiable under part P and therefore I will get it inspected as required once installed.

So the question or RCDs has come up a few times but I'm not sure exactly how it applies when using micro inverters. I'm specifically wondering about the use of type B RCDs (DC) and micro-inverters which typically would not have galvanic isolation.

On page 6 of the install manual for the APS YC500i (https://usa.apsystems.com/wp-conten...500i_Installation_UserManual-v1.0-7.20.16.pdf) it states the following which further complicates matters:
An AC GFCI device should not be used to protect the dedicated circuit to the APsystems microinverter even though it is an outside circuit. None of the small GFCI devices (5mA-30 mA) are designed for back feeding and will be damaged if back fed. Also, AC AFCIs have not been evaluated for back feeding and may be damaged if back fed with the output of a PV inverter.

I believe that a lot of solar panel installs include a second consumer unit located in the meter box where the main MCB an extra RCD can be added for the solar panel install. My mains cable run is likely going to be clipped to the external wall up to the roof and as such I believe that the use of an RCD is not required. (The cable will not be buried in a wall or underground) I also believe that armored cable is not required and was therefore planning to use Hituf.

The indoor gateway uses power-line communication to communicate with the inverters, therefore I was going to wire that into the non-RCD protected circuit as the communication will work better when it's not going through the consumer unit. For this, I will use either a specifically marked socket or wire it into a marked fused spur unit.

Can anybody confirm that this would be an acceptable installation in line with the regulations and would pass the part-P inspection ? Is there a better way to install these micro-inverters ? I couldn't find a source for type B RCDs.

Thanks,
-Andrew.
 

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