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48hrs. Just over 2kwh of PV generation.
It's not a breaker, it's a changeover switch.Hey guys this morning our power went off and inverter didn't kick in. Played a round a bit and after restarting got it to work. On the DB shouldn't the middel white main/breaker be up?
It's not a breaker, it's a changeover switch.
If your inverter stops working, you can move that switch up and then eskom will power everything while you can take your inverter offline to service.
That's why it's down and pointing to inverter, because the inverter is powering the loads
check with installer also he should put stickers to advise if up is to bypass inverter and down to go via or vice versa - cause you never going to rememberYeah it was always pointing up and when the power was off it would switch over automatically. This morning everything went off so switched it down and it worked. Not sure if it should be up or down normally I don't have solar just the battery and inverter
It doesn't look like an automatic changeover.Yeah it was always pointing up and when the power was off it would switch over automatically. This morning everything went off so switched it down and it worked. Not sure if it should be up or down normally I don't have solar just the battery and inverter
So a little update on this.Same with me. When it clicks my geyserqwise panel goes off (non-essential) so it's likely the same which makes me think, where is the CT coil normally connected, before the meter, or after. That could be the difference for me.
Had a tech from CoCT over. They shook the outside pole a bit to see if it was a bad incoming connection, then said that the meter "could" be faulty but didnt test it. Apparently they have no stock of my specific meter![]()
so COCT meter cost is what +/- R15kSo a little update on this.
After the above tech, a second team came out, they identified a burn wire on the incoming voltage lines. This was repaired. Clicking stopped but came back a few days later.
Team 3 came out, now claiming the meter is faulty. They have no stock so as an interim they bypassed the meter box. Have had no problems with power since so can probably safely assume it was the meter.
4th team came out, not sure why but claims I must have a smart meter with a solar installation. Unfortunately I wasn't there with them but seems they are somehow leaning to me having to pay for a new meter (instead of them replacing) which I'm not really going to just accept since the CoCT approved my application and they know what meter is installed.
Until then, still sitting with a bypassed connection
I dunno, smart meter is probably around the 3k mark. Im sure it depends on the approved brands they supply.so COCT meter cost is what +/- R15k
you now have a bypassed meter -
run an extension cord to neighbours and charge them a few 100 bucks a day for unlimited power - * until COCT comes to install new meter
use R15K+ worth of electricity
#profit
Follow me for more money making tips
My read of that board is that the switch in the middle is always down when you're using the Inverter - whether Eskom is on or not (it's a hybrid inverter so it takes input from multiple sources including Eskom, Battery and Solar). While down, your Eskom routes to the inverter and the Inverter routes to the house circuits to power them. It stays down unless you need to bypass the inverter and power the house on Eskom alone, in which case you flip it once (to the middle - disconnect both) then a second time (to the top) to engage Eskom to power the house and bypass the inverter. In the up position, Eskom comes in to your main DB, then to that small sub-DB then back to the house circuits.
*EDIT* yes, it's a Riken 63A 2 Pole Change Over or Bypass Switch.
Yes, always down except when your inverter is broken and not feeding the house. In that case you can switch over to Eskom (up) which bypasses the inverter and allows you to carry on with life while you get the installer to investigate.
*EDIT* ask your installer to explain the following to you when you see them next:
1) How do I isolate all plugs in the house in the event of electrocution or electrical fire
2) How do I isolate and / or power down the inverter, batteries and solar panels in the event that there's a problem with either of those components or you simply want to switch them off (e.g. I isolate my inverter from the solar panels and Eskom during an electrical storm if I'm home while it's going on).
3) How do I bypass the inverter and use Eskom (as you would before the installation).
Those three should cover all the major eventualities.
I think what's going to come back to bite people is that it's never properly explained to them that they now have a power plant at home. It's a mini Eskom power generator that has the potential to hurt you if you fiddle with it without knowing the consequences. Some systems don't even have warning labels attached. Installers likely don't work that one hour of your time into their quotes for fear of losing the job. It's essential and should be required for the COC if it isn't already. I have seen all sorts - batteries with bare terminals or little transparent plastic covers over the terminals, but access to little fingers at their shoulder height or lower to the bare conductors. I cringe.
My FW batteries are sealed and the conductors are not exposed in any way on both ends. Same for my inverter and all DBs. I don't know why so many systems get installed with uninsulated conductors.
The only time I need to change it, is when I top up my prepaid electricity. If you have one of those 'smart' goodies, you need to set it to ESKOM . i.e up or else it won't connect.Thanks yeah confirmed it should always be down. There is also an emergency breaker I need to pull down if there is any issues with the battery or inverter.
It was for a bit this morning but its back online nowApp on the fritz again?
installer should have put a dedicated plug that goes straight to meter for the CIU so you don't have to do this.The only time I need to change it, is when I top up my prepaid electricity. If you have one of those 'smart' goodies, you need to set it to ESKOM . i.e up or else it won't connect.
Not really a train smash , I only have to do this once every 2 months or so.installer should have put a dedicated plug that goes straight to meter for the CIU so you don't have to do this.