The new Australian standard (AS/NZS 5033) for solar power installations is effective this week (16 October 2012).
Superior Solar has commenced implementation of these new procedures. Superior Solar’s Operations Manager, Alex Wrightson states most of the changes reflect a formalising of informal practices with a few new additions to maintain the high safety standard of our industry.
The new standards cover changes to general arrays, wiring, disconnection devices and earthing requirements. Some inclusions are detailed below:
- Modules in the same string are to be installed within 5 degrees in the same orientation
- Domestic Voltage rating of the residential installation limited to 600 Volts DC
- PV cabling & conduit to be identified as solar
- DC cables from the solar array to inverter, within buildings, shall be in heavy duty conduit
- Plastic cable ties are not to be used as a primary means of support (for cables)
- An isolating / disconnection device shall be installed at the array if the inverter is more than 3 metres away from the array
For existing customers changes to Australian standards are not applied retrospectively however all new installations and additions to existing systems will be installed in compliance with the new standard.