Naks' Solar System:

Naks said:
I just realised that it CANNOT be the AVR, as it went away for repairs on March 7th, and the EL trip started on March 9th.

Could it be the Ellies Surge multiplug?

product-image-transparent.png
Click to expand...
Yes, I had an ellies plug tripping. I removed them all.
 
Naks said:
Hmmm, but I do need a switchable multiplug though, as I need to power down my AV setup when going away.

What's a good brand that can I use?
Click to expand...
Multiplugs are fine, I'm more talking about the ones with the red surge protector plugs.
 
semaphore said:
Multiplugs are fine, I'm more talking about the ones with the red surge protector plugs.
Click to expand...

Something like this? https://www.takealot.com/apc-essential-surgearrest-5-outlets-south-africa/PLID34187693

1650438353646.png

"APC Essential SurgeArrest 5 Outlets 230V South Africa

Features
- Automatically steps up low voltage and steps down high voltage to levels that are suitable for your equipment
- Easy recovery from overloads
- Basic Protection Against Power Surges for Computers and Electronics

Specifications:
- Surge Protection: 960 Joules
- Nominal Input Voltage: 230V
- Number of Outlets: 5
- Colour: Black"
 
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Naks said:
Something like this? https://www.takealot.com/apc-essential-surgearrest-5-outlets-south-africa/PLID34187693

View attachment 1294840

"APC Essential SurgeArrest 5 Outlets 230V South Africa

Features
- Automatically steps up low voltage and steps down high voltage to levels that are suitable for your equipment
- Easy recovery from overloads
- Basic Protection Against Power Surges for Computers and Electronics

Specifications:
- Surge Protection: 960 Joules
- Nominal Input Voltage: 230V
- Number of Outlets: 5
- Colour: Black"
Click to expand...
Still has surge protection, but you could try it and see if it helps.
 
Naks said:
Something like this? https://www.takealot.com/apc-essential-surgearrest-5-outlets-south-africa/PLID34187693

View attachment 1294840

"APC Essential SurgeArrest 5 Outlets 230V South Africa

Features
- Automatically steps up low voltage and steps down high voltage to levels that are suitable for your equipment
- Easy recovery from overloads
- Basic Protection Against Power Surges for Computers and Electronics

Specifications:
- Surge Protection: 960 Joules
- Nominal Input Voltage: 230V
- Number of Outlets: 5
- Colour: Black"
Click to expand...
I'm guessing something like this without surge protection:
https://www.takealot.com/united-ele...ug-adapter-with-illuminated-swit/PLID71884941
Your surge protection should be before the inverter.
 
Ok, so it's NOT the Ellies multiplug: I moved the AV stuff to a different multiplug, and when I powered up the setup, the Earth tripped.

But then it doesn't trip on subsequent power ups, so now I'm completely confused :unsure:
 
Naks said:
Ok, so it's NOT the Ellies multiplug: I moved the AV stuff to a different multiplug, and when I powered up the setup, the Earth tripped.

But then it doesn't trip on subsequent power ups, so now I'm completely confused :unsure:
Click to expand...
Have you tried replacing the earth leakage CB?
 
Good looking kit. My only note is that I wouldn't have installed all of that in my study. I have the Victron setup as well, and there is a lot of fan noise from the inverter. This will render your study fairly useless.
 
The Darkness said:
Good looking kit. My only note is that I wouldn't have installed all of that in my study. I have the Victron setup as well, and there is a lot of fan noise from the inverter. This will render your study fairly useless.
Click to expand...

no choice, that's where the DB is.

Going to the garage would have meant at least 30m round-trip wiring.
 
Maybe invest in something like this
Check this out on takealot: Major Tech Socket ELCB Tester (MT310)

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Naks said:
no choice, that's where the DB is.

Going to the garage would have meant at least 30m round-trip wiring.
Click to expand...
30 meters wiring is nothing, and the garage is the ideal place for this kind of equipment. Not that fire is an issue with LiPo, I’d still feel safer with battery stacks and high current inversion happening in a garage with a fire door between my home and it.
The noise though when using this as solar routing and inversion cannot be avoided.
If I were you I’d be reconsidering a simple cable extension vs what you currently have. This is a permanent installation and IMO you’ve taken a shortcut that detracts from the system. Your installer should have known better TBH.
 
@The Darkness Yes, ideally it would have been in the garage, but the physical limitations that had to be overcome were just too much - our house is not a typical layout.

Anyway, some further troubleshooting of the EL: I removed the NAD from the multiplug and plugged it straight into the wall, and there was no more tripping.

I am now thinking that it's the wall outlet that the chain is connected to, so I have now moved the entire chain (AC Furman > normal multiplug with Router, Switch, DSTV > Ellies Multiplug with TV, Oppo, NAD) to another outlet.

Just waiting for another blackout to see whether that solves it.
 
My system is also not in the garage because of the temperature in there.
Get so hot that plastic deform.
 
I'm not sure if this is a contributor to the issue, but during the municipal technical inspection, the Earth rod for the solar system was found to be 100Ohms, and the technician said it should be at most 10Ohms.

So they're going to plant a couple more rods next week.
 
Naks said:
I'm not sure if this is a contributor to the issue, but during the municipal technical inspection, the Earth rod for the solar system was found to be 100Ohms, and the technician said it should be at most 10Ohms.

So they're going to plant a couple more rods next week.
Click to expand...
Yeah I also need more my side
 
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