[:en]DC Isolators
The definition for DC Isolator as published in AS/NZS 4417.2 is:
DC Isolator
An electrical device that—
(a) is an air-break d.c. rated isolator; and
(b) is for connection to the wiring of a household photovoltaic (PV) electrical installation, other household renewable energy installation, or household energy storage installation.; and includes
(c) any dedicated individual enclosure where the dc isolator is classified as enclosed outdoor.
The old version was AS/NZS IEC 60947.3 has been updated to AS 60947.3:2018 and now has important upgraded safety requirements for DC Switch disconnectors used in PV systems and was written with the requirements of AS/NZS 5033 is mind. It is important that the standard is followed to address the numerous unsafe incidents which have occurred with DC switch disconnectors installed in accordance with AS/NZS 5033. It is easy to identify which of these products is certified to the latest requirements, because the Certificate for the items will have the approved standard as AS 60947.3:2018 and they will be a Certificate of Conformity with the class description of “DC Isolator”.
For information on which State has which requirements, please see the CEC announcement here: http://www.solaraccreditation.com.au/products/dc-isolator-updates.html
To re-certify with us, you need to follow the attached notice from the ESO.
The latest version of AS 60947.3, which has important upgraded safety requirements for these products, was not published until 29 June 2018. Note that there is a 12 month transition period in the standard during which the previous version may be used. However, as this is an important safety issue the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) in Queensland has provided a document with directions for how manufacturers and test laboratories can gain compliance and certification in the interim. A copy of this document is below and we will be certifying on this basis only.
The aim is to get the certificate holders to have their products retested and certified to the new requirements as soon as possible. The ESO are being flexible with the certification requirements to assist us in this goal.
Power Supplies
ERAC (the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council) has issued a new notice for direct plug-in power supplies which are tested to standards requiring two means of securement. You can find the whole notice here: http://erac.gov.au/images/Downloads/4_6%20-%20information%20notice%20-%20021%20-%20power%20supply%20or%20charger%20-%20may%202018.pdf.
In summary, for direct plug-in power supply types only, if they are tested to a standard which requires two means of securement on the enclosure, such as AS/NZS 61558 or AS/NZS 60335, then the two means of securement must be different types, such as ultrasonic welding and screws, or screws and glue, etc., then the test in the notice must be applied. We will be enforcing this for any applications affected by the requirement.
ESO letter on PV Switch disconnectors
Certification requirements for dc isolators for use in solar PV installations
Changes in Risk Level
On 30 June 2018 DC isolators were re-classified, moving from “In-Scope” electrical equipment risk level 1 to risk level 3 under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) in participating jurisdictions who apply defining standard AS/NZS 4417.2.
The standards that may be considered for certification:
The new standard AS 60947-3:2018:
The new standard includes requirements specifically for DC isolators for use with PV solar installation. The main changes, including Australian deviations, to AS 60947-3:2018 are:
Certification requirements
The preferred options to apply for certification purposes of dc isolators for solar PV installations is, in order of preference:
NOTE 1: Test reports for use in options 1), 2) or 3) can be from test facilities accredited to at least IEC 60947-3 edition 3.2 until test facilities are accredited to AS 60947-3:2018. Test reports for option 3) can be from test facilities accredited to AS/NZS IEC 60947-3:2015 or IEC 60947-3 Edition 3.1.
NOTE 2: The certificate of conformity should list Class Specification under which has gained certification, for option 1): “AS 60947-3:2018”; for option 2): “IEC 60947-3 Ed 3.2”; for option 3): “AS/NZS IEC 60947-3:2015”. When using options 2) or 3) the certificate expiry date should not exceed 30 June 2019.
NOTE 3: DC-PV2 and DC21B voltage and current ratings are different. Products certified as DC21B should not be on the same certificate as products certified to DC-PV2.
NOTE 4: additional assessments/criteria/characteristic to be required under option 3 (use of AS/NZS IEC 60947-3), to meet criteria in the current AS/NZS 5033:2014, includes:
current ratings to be at uninterrupted duty rating (this rating due to issue that switch contacts are not regularly operated to remove / clear oxidisation/dirt accumulation)[:zh]新闻
直流隔离开关
标准AS/NZS4417.2中直流隔离开关（DC Isolator）的定义如下：
直流隔离开关
一种电气设备-
旧版本的AS/NZS IEC 60947.3:2015已经更新成AS 60947.3:2018。AS 60947.3:2018采纳了标准AS/NZS 5033要求，对应用于PV系统的直流隔离开关的电气安全要求进行了更新。现有已认证的直流隔离开关按照标准AS/NZS 5033要求安装后在使用中出现了大量的意外事故。新版本标准AS 60947.3:2018合理的涵盖了此类风险。因此按照新版本AS 60947.3:2018进行测试与认证变得尤为重要。我们可以轻易分辨出哪些产品符合新标准要求。符合新标准要求的直流隔离开关的证书上会显示这是一份符合性证书，产品分类是直流隔离开关，标准号是AS 60947.3:2018。
更多关于各个州对于直流隔离开关的要求，请参考如下CEC网站链接：
http://www.solaraccreditation.com.au/products/dc-isolator-updates.html
您需要遵循如下ESO的要求来跟我司进行证书重新认证。
最新标准AS 60947.3:2018 已于2018年6月29日发布，对应用于PV系统的直流隔离开关的电气安全要求进行了更新。新标准允许自标准发行后12个月内旧版标准依然有效。然而，因为这是一项重要的电气安全事件,昆士兰电气安全办公室（Electrical Safety Office，ESO）提供了一份指导文件，指导制造商和实验室于过渡期间如何使产品符合标准并获得产品认证证书。如附件所示。我司将以此文件为唯一认证发证基准。
这样做的目的是，令证书持有人尽快对产品进行重新测试及认证，以期符合最新标准的要求。为了达成此目标，ESO对于认证要求实行弹性配合。
电源
ERAC (Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council 电气管理理事会) 发布了关于要求有两种外壳固定方式的直插式电源的一项最新公告。更多信息请参考此链接：http://erac.gov.au/images/Downloads/4_6%20-%20information%20notice%20-%20021%20-%20power%20supply%20or%20charger%20-%20may%202018.pdf.
概括来讲，对于直插式电源，其适用的测试标准要求外壳需要有两种固定方式的，比如AS/NZS 61558 或者AS/NZS 60335，这两种固定方式需要是不同形式的，例如超声波焊接和螺丝钉，或者螺丝钉和胶水，并且需要按照公告要求对这两种不同形式的固定方式进行测试。[:]
SAA Approvals is accredited by the Joint Accreditation Service of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) as a third party certification body to issue certificates for electrical equipment that has proven to comply with the safety requirements of the applicable Australian Standard.
SAA Approvals is accepted and gazetted by the New South Wales Fair Trading as a Recognised External Approvals Scheme (REAS) and Queensland Electrical Safety Office as a Recognised External Certification Scheme (RECS).
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