Change over switch grid/PV

SD_DRACULA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095590#Comment_123095590

So you don't need an external box or anything, if you got 4 slots free in your CU the changeover switch can fit there as it's basically like an mcb.

Shouldn't back feed as it sends the power it needs to the board but you'd probably want to turn off your main breaker to be sure.

I think what you're talking about is to have a sub board beside your main CU where you only power some of your circuits (lights, boiler, fridge) and basically move those over using the changeover switch.

My inverter can power the whole house easily so it's wired to power the whole board, you can do the same of course but just have to be mindful of what you turn on.

nimrod86

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123095626#Comment_123095626

Yeah, my inverter can supply 5kW so other than the electric shower it should be able to power the rest of the house without much issue. My ideal setup would be to disconnect completely from the grid and supply the whole house from the batteries.

Looks like I'll need to do some googling and try find an electrician willing to do it. I emailed a solar crowd who's vans I've seen in my estate (not the installers of my system) asking for a quote just for this but they said they can't help me.

nimrod86

Just for anyone else who might be interested, Martin from Wizer Energy (based in Cork I believe) posted this in a Solar Facebook group regarding installing a changeover switch. For the few hours a year I lose power the cost wouldn't be worth it for me anyway, though I'm struggling to understand why it's so high when the switchgear and cabling needed couldn't be more than €200. I'll be abandoning plans unless I can find an electrician able to fit one for labour costs with myself supplying the parts.

I'm not affiliated in anyway with Wizer Energy, just thought the information is relevant.

tommythecat

When we got our solar and battery last January I enquired with the (well known) installer and they said they can indeed install a changeover switch. Cost €1,200.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123100443#Comment_123100443

I had an extra 4 panels, 4 optimisers and a changeover switch installed in March 23 for €1200 by my original installer so I doubt it's gone up that much now with no vat on installs even though mine was a very easy install for it. I thought Martin from Wizer was competitive but not going by those figures! Before the Reci police jump in I know each install is different and I'm just giving my experience.

irishchris

Changeover switch and battery storage installed couple years back is really paying for itself this week. Power down since Friday and estimated restore on text Tuesday from esb is 9 Feb!!

Cooking, heating and all round use in house once under 5kw is working perfect. Now if only I could have my own broadband as down since along with phone coverage. Yep to Tesco today to use their WiFi to check in on the outside world 😀

JohnySwan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123100443#Comment_123100443

Shouldn't really be any more than about 800 quid max.

Depending on the install it's about a day's work to do it right. Quite a bit of rejigging of the DB, earthing arrangements while off grid need work too. Then there's the testing and cert.

Something else to consider is the hassle you bring on yourself when there's large scale power cuts like the last week. The amount of calls/texts/emails asking technical questions regarding the changeover, because in my experience most people don't pay attention when operating procedures are being explained.

Martin actually had a post saying that customers were contacting him, giving out that they didn't have charge in their batteries when the power went out. 🤷‍♂️

Another consideration is the fact that they're inundated with more profitable work, installing panels.

You could always call a local electrician, ask if they have an hourly rate, then explain what you would like to have done. The only issue with that is most regular sparks don't have any experience with inverters.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123101293#Comment_123101293

It's not that complicated though, with mine I just flick 2 switches down in the consumer unit and I'm running off the batteries so even homer simpson could manage that!

JohnySwan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123101379#Comment_123101379

It isn't complicated, but you still get the hassle. My brother in law always calls me when he has a power cut asking what he needs to do.

You need to remember that there are people out there who can't change a light bulb.

Slutmonkey57b

I have the sigenergy energy gateway which worked nicely but I don't know that I'd trust a random electrician to know what needed doing. All of the solar installers I contacted claimed never to have heard of such a system, that only manual switchover was allowed, and that they couldn't see how it would be done anyway.

I ended up sending YouTube videos to some of them and not so subtly pointed out that some of the companies they were installing for sold the thing, it was in their product catalogue!

As with most things in this country, there's a "bog standard" accepted way of doing things (usually what's least effort) and that's all anyone's interested in.

If automatic switchover is illegal, what happens in an operating room during a power cut? The surgeon saunters down 4 flights of stairs to pull the crank on a generator then clunks a rotary switch to "on"?