Want An All-Electric Solar Home? Get A Bigger Switchboard.

Despite modern electrical standards calling for spare space in switchboards, even brand-new places can struggle with switchboard space when adding solar, battery or EV charging equipment.

We’ve written previously about switchboard upgrades, but it’s worth reiterating here that modern living requires much more room, especially if you’ve got a 3-phase supply.

Understanding Jargon; DIN Rails And Poles

If your house has ceramic fuses and switches mounted on a board, then it needs an upgrade.

Modern circuit breakers, switches, relays & meters all fit onto a standard mounting called a DIN rail which is built into a surface mount enclosure or the switchboard itself.

Each 17mm wide unit is referred to as a “pole” so for example a 2-pole device which requires a live and neutral connection is 34mm wide:

A 12 pole switchboard can fit:

• twelve single phase circuits
• or four 3 phase circuits.

If you want add a solar panels across 3-phases , a 3 phase EV charger and a control circuit then you may need space for 12 additional poles in your switchboard.

Consumption meters may be hidden behind the panel, or may take up 5½ poles by themselves.

Bigger Boards Are A Blessing

If you have to overhaul your main switchboard, it really doesn’t take much extra effort to future-proof the place with more room.

Full Boards Require Full Blown Overhaul

It can be easier to add a large external sub-board, perhaps in the garage or other end of the house. One of my best outcomes was getting a customer to think about longer term aims, then planning to suit. A 36 pole sub board was placed right beside the hot water service, air conditioner and new solar inverter while only 7 poles were needed in the main meter position.

A Benign Looking Example

This two-phase domestic switchboard had been updated within the last ten years, but it was packed full.

You never really know what you’ll find until the covers are off. In this instance, the electrician who quoted the solar should have tweaked something wasn’t quite right simply because there were two main switches. He was qualified to remove the escutcheon and pinpoint the problems but a non-electrician isn’t legally able to take this picture below.

Communication Is Key

Many solar businesses rely on quotes via satellite, which isn’t a bad thing but you can have a virtual visit by sending photos of your switchboard to whoever produces the quote. Even if you have a new and supposedly compliant house there can be surprises, but photos offer documentation which can prevent surprise charges on the day.

The best installers will have a qualified trade visit your place, measure up and document what’s needed. Choosing the $500 cheaper quote can really sting if install day discovers an additional $1500 expense.

If you consider the grief or conflict that potentially means the job is incomplete, it’s worth organising an inspection at the outset.

Original Source: https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/get-a-bigger-switchboard/