2 minute read
expired Dc isolator certificates
EXPIRED DC ISOLATOR CERTIFICATES any given year
The industry was notified that several Direct current (Dc) Isolator certificates expired unexpectedly on 29 September 2021. A search of the electrical regulatory Authorities council (erAc) data showed a number of brands were affected.
All Dc isolators that are classified as High risk (Level three) electrical equipment must have a valid Australian or New Zealand issued certificate of conformity and be registered in the national electrical equipment Safety System (eeSS) database. To confirm your equipment is registered, please check the erAc database at equipment.erac.gov.au/Public/
The certification of certain types of isolators has been cancelled and they can no longer be sold in Victoria until they are re-certified. Private certifiers SAA cancelled around 18 certifications on 29 September 2021. This provided huge setbacks for the solar industry and many installers were rushing to find products approved on the national database. This has led to massive supply issues for wholesalers and installers alike. The industry is eagerly waiting for the recertification of the affected products.
Although it is not an offence to install these products if purchased before 29 September, energy Safe Victoria has recommended contractors do not install them until the re-certification takes place. The certificates were not cancelled due to safety concerns. It was found the certification body did not have the correct accreditation to provide certification for these particular models of Dc isolators. Solar Victoria have indicated not to install any Dc isolators which have been affected by this announcement for any systems rebated under Solar Victoria’s programs.
In the state of Victoria, under section 67 of the Victorian Electricity Safety Act 1998 (the Act) states that it is an offence for a responsible supplier to supply level three in-scope electrical equipment unless it is registered. Section 67(F) of the Act states that it is an offence for a person to supply level two or level three equipment that was purchased for the purpose of supplying it to another person if, on the date that it was originally purchased, the item of electrical equipment was not registered. NecA has been working with industry partners to find a resolution to this matter and is hoping for a solution over the coming few weeks. In the meantime, members with further queries are encouraged to reach out to the NecA Victoria Technical team via email at technical@neca.asn.au IS partnering with ADA Australia to support OUR MEMBERS & their families
HAVE YOU BEEN
TAKING CARE OF YOUR
OWN WELLBEING?
1in7
We’ve expanded our wellbeing services to include workplace mental health support and behavioural health and safety awareness around drugs and alcoholIS partnering with ADA Australia 1in5 Learn more: to support OUR MEMBERS & their families HAVE YOU BEEN TAKING CARE OF YOUR www.protect.net.au
OWN WELLBEING?
1in7 1in5
We’ve expanded our wellbeing services to include workplace mental health support and behavioural health and safety awareness around drugs and alcohol We’ve expanded our wellbeing services to include workplace mental health support Learn more: www.protect.net.au and behavioural health and safety awareness around drugs and alcohol Learn more: www.protect.net.au
