Plug in solar panels

[chriswood]

I have a hardwired setup basically the same as Craig described above, this was professionally installed with the relevant certificates issued and tested which I witnessed. I am very concerned about what is being proposed, without good quality control and certification of the supplied units we will be at the mercy of low cost units with just forged CE certification just like the rechargeable scooters and bikes! Dangerous to the end user and others working on an installation. A technical point it is my understanding is that any PV/battery system needs to be connected via B rated MCBOs that correctly work bidirectionally and sense false DC. Just imagine connecting it up on an old installation with rewireable fuses and no RCB and the chaos that could ensue (there are still quite a few of these about). Whilst a good idea in principle it has all the signs of a rushed headline grab to divert public attention from the real problem of our disastrous energy policies.

Chris

[ppppenguin]

Forged CE marks are a curse in many fields. I would expect plug-in PV to be neither better nor worse than many other appliances in this respect.

I don't know the rules for plug-in PV but I would hope that a suitable RCD is included as part of the inverter.

My PV at home was fitted in 2011 and certified in accordance with the regulations. I think the RCBO is a type A. Type B was all but unknown back then. There is also a problem with some RCDs and RCBOs in that they may not work correctly with reverse current flow, as you get with PV. I've read that pressing the self-test button can actually damage some RCDs.

The 30kWp PV system at the Broadcast Engineering Museum doesn't have an RCD at all. It was certified by a NAPIT approved technician. I understand that this is OK for a 3 phase system in a commercial (as against domestic) environment.

[ppppenguin]

This seems to be the official position for PV and RCDs: https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-mat...e-devices/