Cost of connecting inverter to main db

[cm101]

I have a Meccer 2400VA Inverter which I want to connect to my main DB. The inverter will power two plugs in the house and all LED downlights. Distance from main DB to inverter will be about 1 meter.

Before I reach out to an electrician can anyone advise what the cost for this type of install will be?

 

[Off-The-Chart]

@Pietaaa

 

[Pietaaa]

You can send me a PM. Will discuss rates

 

[Confucius]

I have a Meccer 2400VA Inverter which I want to connect to my main DB. The inverter will power two plugs in the house and all LED downlights. Distance from main DB to inverter will be about 1 meter.

Before I reach out to an electrician can anyone advise what the cost for this type of install will be?

It’s pretty easy to do but whether it is legal / allowed by SANS is another question.

It’s not just about how to get it working but what happens when the inverter fails and you need to bypass circuits.

 

[SnowmanZA]

It’s pretty easy to do but whether it is legal / allowed by SANS is another question.

It’s not just about how to get it working but what happens when the inverter fails and you need to bypass circuits.

A decent electrician should know what all needs to be done.
I expect a proper install to cost a few k though.
You will need an isolator at the inverter, possibly a bypass incase the inverter fails, you need to add an indicator lamp
in the main DB to show that there is power on those circuits even if the main breaker is off, as well as several warning
labels on the main DB indicating that there is an alternate supply and where the alternate supply disconnect is located etc.

You will most likely also need to get a new COC done.

There may be a few other minor details that I have missed as well.

 

[Confucius]

A decent electrician should know what all needs to be done.
I expect a proper install to cost a few k though.
You will need an isolator at the inverter, possibly a bypass incase the inverter fails, you need to add an indicator lamp
in the main DB to show that there is power on those circuits even if the main breaker is off, as well as several warning
labels on the main DB indicating that there is an alternate supply and where the alternate supply disconnect is located etc.

You will most likely also need to get a new COC done.

There may be a few other minor details that I have missed as well.

On my journey to solar and backup power, I spent a lot of time gathering information and reading the SANS related to wiring and storage systems.

While speaking to people and reading the post on various renewal energy forums, I’ve found that many electricians have no idea about the requirements from a solar / energy storage solution. They simply approach it from a standard electrical installation.

If I read the standards, non nrs approved inverters cannot be connected to a household grid. That means most axperts or what we call off grid installations are not allowed as they are typically installed.

Even worse, some well known solar installers will give advise to clients that does not follow SANS.

The problem is that these installations are not as well regulated in SA. Cape Town has the best regulation from what I have read and if they find solar panels on the roof, they will follow up and check if your system is registered/ has the necessary sign-offs.

So as my post above says, it can be done. Whether it is legal, I’m not sure.

 

[SnowmanZA]

On my journey to solar and backup power, I spent a lot of time gathering information and reading the SANS related to wiring and storage systems.

While speaking to people and reading the post on various renewal energy forums, I’ve found that many electricians have no idea about the requirements from a solar / energy storage solution. They simply approach it from a standard electrical installation.

If I read the standards, non nrs approved inverters cannot be connected to a household grid. That means most axperts or what we call off grid installations are not allowed as they are typically installed.

Even worse, some well known solar installers will give advise to clients that does not follow SANS.

The problem is that these installations are not as well regulated in SA. Cape Town has the best regulation from what I have read and if they find solar panels on the roof, they will follow up and check if your system is registered/ has the necessary sign-offs.

So as my post above says, it can be done. Whether it is legal, I’m not sure.

Technically NRS097 is not a South African standard (yet), so it is not a legal requirement for inverters to be NRS097 compliant.
The CoCT have made it mandatory for all Inverters installed on their network to be NRS097 compliant, but I don't think all the
other municipalities have followed suit yet. So it should still be legal to install the inverter if you are not in the CoCT and it is done correctly.

Edit: NRS097 also only applies to grid-tied inverters which the OPs inverter is not, so it doesn't apply anyway.