PEW regarding mains parallel generation systems and PV installations are high risk
5033 clearly states that the PV part is "This Standard sets out general installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV)
arrays, including d.c. array wiring, electrical protection devices, switching and earthing up
to but not including energy storage devices, power conversion equipment or loads."
But I'm just curious where is the extent of the mains parallel side and where it stops being high risk, obviously all the PCE is part of this and the connecting cables but is the protective or isolation device included in this scope of mains parallel? Or is it simply up to the connecting terminals? Where is the cut off or jurisdiction point where it stops being mains parallel generation? Similarly with PCE with EPS or UPS outputs is all this included and if so how far does it extend?
Where does mains parallel generation stop? Grid tied PV
Re: Where does mains parallel generation stop? Grid tied PV
Definition of "mains parallel generation system" in ESR 4.
Basically if any fittings can be supplied, at same time, from more than one source;
and any of the sources is "generation... for that person's use" ;
then it's mains parallel.
Note that the term applies regardless of whether any of the sources is a grid / network.
And therefore such systems are high risk even where there's no grid.
A PV array operates at d.c. so cannot supply any fittings that are simultaneously supplied from an a.c. source.
The array may or may not be HRPEW in its own right.
But where mains parallel applies in a PV context is at inverter output(s) - including micro-inverters mounted on PV modules.
So if you have a source selection device, as for 'alternative supply"; that device is a fitting that can be simultaneously supplied from multiple sources.
However i do not believe that's what was / is intended by the definition.
But other than a source selection device; if we have circuits / loads that can be supplied from more than one source at a time, that's "mains parallel".
For a multi-mode inverter; where one port is for 'grid connection" and another for 'standby';
only the grid-connection side would be within the definition.
ESR 60 requires any MPGS that is connected to the national grid be either Part 1, or Part 2 plus "3010 & "4777.1".
Which - along with the fact the term includes the word "generation" - strongly suggests that a MPGS starts at the generator / inverter.
Anything on load side of the point of connection to installation would be the "fittings that, at the same time, are supplied with electricity from another source"; so are excluded by the definition.
Basically if any fittings can be supplied, at same time, from more than one source;
and any of the sources is "generation... for that person's use" ;
then it's mains parallel.
Note that the term applies regardless of whether any of the sources is a grid / network.
And therefore such systems are high risk even where there's no grid.
A PV array operates at d.c. so cannot supply any fittings that are simultaneously supplied from an a.c. source.
The array may or may not be HRPEW in its own right.
But where mains parallel applies in a PV context is at inverter output(s) - including micro-inverters mounted on PV modules.
So if you have a source selection device, as for 'alternative supply"; that device is a fitting that can be simultaneously supplied from multiple sources.
However i do not believe that's what was / is intended by the definition.
But other than a source selection device; if we have circuits / loads that can be supplied from more than one source at a time, that's "mains parallel".
For a multi-mode inverter; where one port is for 'grid connection" and another for 'standby';
only the grid-connection side would be within the definition.
ESR 60 requires any MPGS that is connected to the national grid be either Part 1, or Part 2 plus "3010 & "4777.1".
Which - along with the fact the term includes the word "generation" - strongly suggests that a MPGS starts at the generator / inverter.
Anything on load side of the point of connection to installation would be the "fittings that, at the same time, are supplied with electricity from another source"; so are excluded by the definition.
Re: Where does mains parallel generation stop? Grid tied PV
Just so I'm understanding correctly, you're saying essentially it starts at the inverter and including the inverter but not any of the backup supplies (as they don't supply parallel with anything else) etcetc
Just trying to understand the final statement, so all the parts up to connection are "supplying electricity to fittings that, at the same time, are
supplied with electricity from other systems of electrical supply" and these parts aren't considered supplied via other systems because the inverter provides an output and doesn't take supply in from that side? This would also mean the protection or isolation device used for mains parallel connection is also part of the mains parallel generation system?
Just trying to understand the final statement, so all the parts up to connection are "supplying electricity to fittings that, at the same time, are
supplied with electricity from other systems of electrical supply" and these parts aren't considered supplied via other systems because the inverter provides an output and doesn't take supply in from that side? This would also mean the protection or isolation device used for mains parallel connection is also part of the mains parallel generation system?
Re: Where does mains parallel generation stop? Grid tied PV
my interpretation is that the MPGS includes the inverter (except any 'standby' port), the output cable from the inverter to the installation, and any directly associated fittings such as overcurrent protection, RCDs, isolating switches, or metering.
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