Generator or Inverter for residential use?

[Speedster]

Bolded parts bolded for my convenience.



PS - we're trying to help you. Less of the say... snark, and more of the hey, i don't understand, what should i be doing, would help

Then I have one of the phases on the inverter. How do I power the other circuits?

 

[RonSwanson]

Then I have one of the phases on the inverter. How do I power the other circuits?

It is probable that phase A is the only one in use. Phases B and C are probably not. You would have to verify this.
If these probabilities are true, then spending money on a 3 phase inverter is a waste, and it will also be inefficient, losses powering the other 2 unused phases. Unless of course you have an appliance (like an industrial cement mixer or a moerse pool pump motor) that you want to power.

 

[itareanlnotani]

Then I have one of the phases on the inverter. How do I power the other circuits?

To simplify somewhat, 3 Phase is basically 1 phase x 3.

Electricians will try to balance the load by taking a phase and running it to various equipment, like the lighter stuff like lighting, plugs, and the heavier users like geyser, oven, aircon etc.

The DB in the house will already be setup like that (unless you're building a new house).
So, take a look at what loads you want to have backup supply for, and connect those to the [ inverter + battery + solar ]

If you have an 80A (residential) three phase supply, its probably around 3kw per phase max.

 

[Quintrix]

Then I have one of the phases on the inverter. How do I power the other circuits?

I'm no electrician but let me take a stab. Although your house has 3 phase, nothing inside use 3 phase. The house might be split in three circuits, each being fed by a single phase.

Option : combine them( circuits) and feed from one inverter or feed each circuit/phase from individual single phase inverter.

Disclaimer: this is not electrical advice but a wild guess

 

[Tacet]

@Speedster

Any chance of you uploading a picture of the DB? We may be able to provide better informed recommendations if we know what the DB setup looks like.

 

[Speedster]

@Speedster

Any chance of you uploading a picture of the DB? We may be able to provide better informed recommendations if we know what the DB setup looks like.

Not yet, only taking occupation mid- to end-Jan.

 

[Chloe_r1]

I've heard that there's going to be an 8kW, 10kW and 12kW 3 phase Sunsynk and they'll be releasing in the 1Q of 2021.

 

[Tacet]

Not yet, only taking occupation mid- to end-Jan.

In that case you may want to consider waiting until you've moved in before buying an inverter. If I were in your shoes my first step would be to decide whether I want three-phase in my house. AFAIK you pay a premium for a three-phase connection, so converting it to a single-phase will probably save you money on your electricity bill.

Most houses have a 63 A mains circuit breaker, which will give you about > 13 kW to play around with. Unless you're planning on running multiple heavy loads simultaneously 13 kW should be enough. Changing the wiring in your DB from three-phase to single-phase should be pretty simple, and then you can stick to a single-phase inverter. If your peak demand is more than 13 kW you can always try to determine which of your loads are so heavy and either decrease them (e.g. a smaller geyser element), or spread them out via timers to make sure that the heavy loads don't run simultaneously.

Disclaimer: I'm a Victron fan, so I'll punt Victron for you.
The Victron Multiplus range can be used in a three-phase configuration, but you will need three of them, making it pretty expensive.

 

[Speedster]

It is probable that phase A is the only one in use. Phases B and C are probably not. You would have to verify this.
If these probabilities are true, then spending money on a 3 phase inverter is a waste, and it will also be inefficient, losses powering the other 2 unused phases. Unless of course you have an appliance (like an industrial cement mixer or a moerse pool pump motor) that you want to power.

And if phase B and C are in use?

 

[Speedster]

I've heard that there's going to be an 8kW, 10kW and 12kW 3 phase Sunsynk and they'll be releasing in the 1Q of 2021.

It seems the 3-phase sunsynk's aren't hybrid inverters. Unless there is a whole new range in the pipeline?

 

[Sinbad]

And if phase B and C are in use?

Then you can move your critical loads to one phase and non criticals to the other two, or get a 3 phase inverter.

 

[Speedster]

In that case you may want to consider waiting until you've moved in before buying an inverter. If I were in your shoes my first step would be to decide whether I want three-phase in my house. AFAIK you pay a premium for a three-phase connection, so converting it to a single-phase will probably save you money on your electricity bill.

Most houses have a 63 A mains circuit breaker, which will give you about > 13 kW to play around with. Unless you're planning on running multiple heavy loads simultaneously 13 kW should be enough. Changing the wiring in your DB from three-phase to single-phase should be pretty simple, and then you can stick to a single-phase inverter. If your peak demand is more than 13 kW you can always try to determine which of your loads are so heavy and either decrease them (e.g. a smaller geyser element), or spread them out via timers to make sure that the heavy loads don't run simultaneously.

Disclaimer: I'm a Victron fan, so I'll punt Victron for you.
The Victron Multiplus range can be used in a three-phase configuration, but you will need three of them, making it pretty expensive.

Not buying yet, doing research. We're a simple domestic household, no plans for any major machinery. I'm not sure how easy it is to get the municipality to disconnect the other two phases though? Guess I'll have to find out about that too.

 

[RonSwanson]

And if phase B and C are in use?

What @Sinbad said.

 

[wingnut771]

And if phase B and C are in use?

You could quite easily bridge the 3 lives in the db to run off one phase I think.

 

[wingnut771]

You could quite easily bridge the 3 lives in the db to run off one phase I think.

I mean if the incoming is changed to single phase.

 

[RonSwanson]

You could quite easily bridge the 3 lives in the db to run off one phase I think.

I hope that you are joking... 380 - 425V can be most unkind to 220V stuff.

 

[RonSwanson]

I mean if the incoming is changed to single phase.

ok... phew

 

[Speedster]

Then you can move your critical loads to one phase and non criticals to the other two, or get a 3 phase inverter.

Which is back to square 1. I don't get why everyone is being so salty about my moving to a place with 3-phase? I didn't buy the house for the electricity supply, if I did I would have gone for single phase with a rotating meter, but alas. So throw me a bone here, I'm just trying to figure out what will work best for my new crib.

Options on the table are to go with three 5.5Kw Sunsynks (which would be pricey), the Goodwe 3 phase hybrid or reconfigure the wiring to only use a single phase (if feasible). Other plausible suggestions?

 

[wingnut771]

ok... phew

Thought I needed to clarify

 

[RonSwanson]

Which is back to square 1. I don't get why everyone is being so salty about my moving to a place with 3-phase? I didn't buy the house for the electricity supply, if I did I would have gone for single phase with a rotating meter, but alas. So throw me a bone here, I'm just trying to figure out what will work best for my new crib.

Options on the table are to go with three 5.5Kw Sunsynks (which would be pricey), the Goodwe 3 phase hybrid or reconfigure the wiring to only use a single phase (if feasible). Other plausible suggestions?

Request that the Muni downgrade you to a single-phase. If I were you, this would top the list.