PV array compliance requirements when installing BESS – repairs vs alterations
With the increasing number of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) being installed, Building and Energy has published a new guidance note for the electrical industry, focusing on ‘repairs vs alterations’.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW GUIDANCE NOTEFinal subcircuit protection
ECA WA Technical advises members to have a clear understanding of which Standards and clauses are relevant to each job, particularly in regard to final subcircuits.
AS/NZS 3000:2018, Section 1.4 Definitions, states the definition of an alteration as:
* A modification to part(s) of an electrical installation.
NOTE: Repairs are not alterations. A repair is defined in Clause 1.4.101.
Therefore, when considering the final subcircuit requirements, the following Standard shall apply.
AS/NZS 4777.1.2024 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters, Part 1: Installation requirements
5.3.6.4 Protection requirements for final subcircuits
All circuits supplied by the alternative supply shall conform with AS/NZS 3000 requirements for protection and RCDs. All existing circuits that are being connected to the alternative supply from an IES are deemed to be an alteration to the electrical installation for the purposes of AS/NZS 3000.
The RCDs shall be of a type that correctly operates on the alternative supply port output waveform and be in accordance with the additional requirements specified by the inverter manufacturer for use with the multiple mode inverter.
