WA: Update to warning on dangerous solar isolating switches

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EnergySafety has issued an update on the public warning about dangerous switches used in some solar systems, issued on May 21.

Prohibition Notices have been issued, preventing further sale of the switches in Western Australia.

The brands and models include:

  • Avanco branded dc isolators (model numbers AV/DC4P25A, AV/DC2P25A, AV/DC4P25AUB, AV/DC2P625AU, AV/DC2P25AU, AV/DC2/2P25AU, AV/DC2/2P125AU, AV/DC4P25AU, AV/DC4P25AUS, and AV/DC4P25AUT).
  • PVPower branded dc isolator model number XPDCISO1000V32A.
  • GEN3 and SPM branded rotary type dc isolators model numbers GEN3DC-25, GEN3DC-32, SPMDCISO-25A and SPMDCISO-32A.

The suppliers of Avanco and PVPower have issued recall notices, but at this stage no such recall has been issued for the Gen3 and SPM brands.

The supplier of Gen3 and SPM branded dc isolators confirmed they will comply with the Prohibition Notice issued by EnergySafety and the Queensland electricity safety regulator.

The Gen3 and SPM brands have been sold since December 2012, and there have been no reports of failures to these two brands of dc isolators.  The supplier is re-testing the dc isolators to determine if the manufactured products comply with relevant Australian Standards.

Owners of solar systems, that have these switches installed, should shut down the solar system immediately by following the shut-down procedure appearing on a label in the main switchboard or mounted near the inverter.

If you are unsure or cannot identify the types of isolators you have, check your operating manual or invoice. If you are still unsure, contact the company that sold the solar system for further advice.

You do not need an electrician to shut the system down. However, you should seek assistance from the solar company if you are unsure of how to carry out the shut-down procedure safely. The system will only be electrically safe once it is shut down.

Do not attempt to get onto your roof to check the switch, as there is no need to do this.

After shutting down the system, please contact your solar system supplier for further advice.

For more information on consumer rights, contact Consumer Protection on
1300 30 40 54.

EnergySafety (6251 1900) can assist with any technical queries related to electrical safety.

Contact details

Media contact: Catherine Gildersleeve 9422 5208 or 0411 258721 (media enquiries only).  catherine.gildersleeve@commerce.wa.gov.au

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