Solar Solar system - Hybrid inverter in a shared RCD

[wawyed]

What would be the problem with replacing the correct RCD with a type A or B? I'm just trying to understand what's the issue with being shared RCD with other devices? Is that what causes the tripping?

Also is the current installation non compliant (if we ignore the labelling) because of the shared RCD? Could I report him if he decided to leave it as is?

 

[wawyed]

Umm, just seen your last post waywed. Hager RCBOs are available at approx £20 each, possibly with a modest mark-up if your electrician supplies them. Charging £80 per RCBO is a bit outrageous.

That sounds much more reasonable

 

[buzzlightyear]

Techincally the install is not "finished" as there's outstanding issues (the meter on the wyndex is not communicating with the inverter so waiting for replacement) and RCD tripping so I think that's why things are not labeled yet

rip the lot out and put in rcbos the circuits & spd and pv solar on the hager board job done.

 

[davesparks]

I'm just trying to understand what's the issue with being shared RCD with other devices?

The RCD is there to provide additional protection against electric shock. It does this by switching off the power to any circuit downstream of it if it detects an imbalance of current which could be due to a person receiving an electric shock (other faults also cause it to trip). The RCD should trip within 0.3 seconds in order to prevent and electric shock becoming fatal.

Having the solar connected to the downstream side of the RCD means that you have a source of power connected to the downstream side of the RCD.

So if the RCD trips the solar will continue to maintain a live supply to the downstream circuits until the inverter shuts down which can take a few seconds or more.

 

[wawyed]

The RCD is there to provide additional protection against electric shock. It does this by switching off the power to any circuit downstream of it if it detects an imbalance of current which could be due to a person receiving an electric shock (other faults also cause it to trip). The RCD should trip within 0.3 seconds in order to prevent and electric shock becoming fatal.

Having the solar connected to the downstream side of the RCD means that you have a source of power connected to the downstream side of the RCD.

So if the RCD trips the solar will continue to maintain a live supply to the downstream circuits until the inverter shuts down which can take a few seconds or more.

Thank you for the clear explanation. That definetely doesn't sound safe... I'm very surprised the electrician decided to install it in this way initially knowing how unsafe that sounds

 

[davesparks]

Thank you for the clear explanation. That definetely doesn't sound safe... I'm very surprised the electrician decided to install it in this way initially knowing how unsafe that sounds

Unfortunately some electricians seem to struggle with understanding that the solar is a source of power and not just a normal circuit.

 

[wawyed]

Unfortunately some electricians seem to struggle with understanding that the solar is a source of power and not just a normal circuit.

What would be my best source of action? I know I wouldn't like to be told what to do at my job specially from someone without qualifications. But at the same time I want things to be done properly.

 

[wawyed]

Also should be inverter be under RCBO?

EDIT: Looks like my inverter has already protections built in https://www.ginlong.com/uploads/file/Solis_datasheet_S5-EH1P(3-6)K-L_Global_V2,5_2022_12.pdf

 

[paul2020]

The RCD is there to provide additional protection against electric shock. It does this by switching off the power to any circuit downstream of it if it detects an imbalance of current which could be due to a person receiving an electric shock (other faults also cause it to trip). The RCD should trip within 0.3 seconds in order to prevent and electric shock becoming fatal.

Having the solar connected to the downstream side of the RCD means that you have a source of power connected to the downstream side of the RCD.

So if the RCD trips the solar will continue to maintain a live supply to the downstream circuits until the inverter shuts down which can take a few seconds or more.

Can't it be worked around by installing additional RCBO in another direction (from inverter side) ?