Cambridge - Wales

[solarsavings]

A Cambridge based company does the install but it's signed off by a company in Wales that apparently supplies ET's and Eversolar inverters along with the mcs certificate of your choice.

I've mentioned this company before that uses eastern european workers in and around Cambridge. Today I had to look at one of their installs.

 

[SolarCity]

For crying out loud, what is MCS for? I suppose their paperwork is in perfect order though.

Looks like 1.5mm cable to me?

 

[Guest123]

That is rough as badgers!!

Surely a complaint could be made???

 

[grandfortune]

Looks like 2.5mm to me and 6.0mm earth, rough as hell, but technically nothing wrong with it just looks rough, what could MCS do, make them clip it neater.

cant believe they actually took the time to silicone in the cable entry points,lol. i think the tube comes with the kit if its where i think they got it from, but they also provide the stuffing glands.

 

[SolarCity]

cant believe they actually took the time to silicone in the cable entry points,lol. i think the tube comes with the kit if its where i think they got it from, but they also provide the stuffing glands.

That's one of the things that I can't understand. And if they did actually feel like using silicon, could they have not made a little more effort?

 

[SolarCity]

Looks like 2.5mm to me and 6.0mm earth

2.5mm at the most. And I'm not sure a 6mm earth is acceptable. It would need to be 10mm for a bonding, would it not?

 

[solarsavings]

There's actually quite a few problems from the click fit system used, bracket spacing, tiling arrangement around brackets. module mounting. The inverters are not mounted or installed as required by the manufacturer. The timber for the mounting was taken from the roof space without asking The earth bond (4mm) to the arrays (there are 3) is to one rail on on two of the arrays and none on the third. The cable size (2.5mm), length and routes (alongside and over heating pipes) and clipping, labeling. They feed into a single 32amp mcb on a new 2 way cu. Test sheet state that earthing is in place to oil,water and gas and complies with the 17th, there is none.

The mounting system and wiring has been done twice now.

 

[Guest123]

The holes in the bottom of the isolators contravene IP ratings for sure (BS finger), the silicone doesn't even seal the hole on the LHS one.

 

[solarsavings]

Words failed me with regards to the isolators

 

[Guest123]

Words failed me with regards to the isolators

And it's been carried out twice you say, unbelievable!

 

[solarsavings]

The worst part was trying to keep my own counsel while being shown the install by a none too happy owner. I still don't know what to tell him..........
We have had installs go t i t s before up when using subbies but have put them right straight away if possible, even pulling off other jobs to do so. This lot even used a disc cutter on the tiles and rails on an astro turf covered balcony how he will ever get the swarf out of that god alone knows.

 

[yellowvanman]

2.5mm at the most. And I'm not sure a 6mm earth is acceptable. It would need to be 10mm for a bonding, would it not?

I know the DTI guide specifies 10mm for bonding the array but can't undertsand why - its not extraneous, and it may not be a TNCs system as well!

 

[Gavin A]

tbf, they've probably done them a favour if they've trashed the astroturf... horrible stuff IMO.

 

[grandfortune]

There's actually quite a few problems from the click fit system used, bracket spacing, tiling arrangement around brackets. module mounting. The inverters are not mounted or installed as required by the manufacturer. The timber for the mounting was taken from the roof space without asking The earth bond (4mm) to the arrays (there are 3) is to one rail on on two of the arrays and none on the third. The cable size (2.5mm), length and routes (alongside and over heating pipes) and clipping, labeling. They feed into a single 32amp mcb on a new 2 way cu. Test sheet state that earthing is in place to oil,water and gas and complies with the 17th, there is none.

The mounting system and wiring has been done twice now.

can i ask, whats the problem with the mounting of the inverters?

Cheers
Grand

 

[solarsavings]

GF from the instruction manual

Danger!
Danger of lethal injury due to fire or explosion!
The Eversol may become hot in normal operation.
Do not install the Eversol on flammable construction materials and
where flammable materials are stored.
Do not install the Eversol in areas where there is a risk of explosion.

Caution!
Danger of burns from hot housing components!
Install the Eversol so that it cannot be touched unintentional.

I know from my own ES inverter just how hot they can get.

The inverters are mounted on chipboard and the clearance between the two is about 100mm.

 

[grandfortune]

ah right i see now, thanks

 

[solarsavings]

I was asked to write a report on this installation by the company that sold the system and tonight as a result I've been asked to put it right. I'm not sure I want to do the job, might have to get paid up front or take the risk of getting knocked at the end. I think I will swerve any others that come my way.