The Electrical Safety Office reminds electrical workers and contractors performing work on solar photovoltaic systems of recalled DC isolators that may still be installed.
Examinations have identified internal faults that lead to overheating and fires with the Avanco brand of isolators that are used in solar electricity system installations.
The defective brands and models include 'Avanco' branded DC isolators with model numbers:
- AV/DC4P25A
- AV/DC2P25A
- AV/DC4P25AUB
- AV/DC2P625AU
- AV/DC2P25AU
- AV/DC2/2P25AU
- AV/DC2/2P125AU
- AV/DC4P25AU
- AV/DC4P25AUS
- AV/DC4P25AUT.
The defective isolators were sold in Queensland after 1 January 2012.
A recall order was made for the affected Avanco DC isolators imported by Advancetech Pty Ltd. The recall order required Advancetech Pty Ltd to remove the Avanco DC isolators and to replace them with isolators that will leave the solar power system electrically safe and operational.
The Electrical Safety Office has issued prohibitions on the supply or installation of these isolators.
What do they look like?
The Avanco isolators under recall are a rotary type switch device inside an associated enclosure, and the most common version has an enclosure with a red switch and a yellow background around the switch. Avanco brand isolators have the brand on the front (see photo below).
Alternatively the Avanco isolator may be a rotary switch installed in an associated lockable enclosure with a flip opaque or clear lid. Under the lid is a black switch and there is external labelling of the Avanco brand on the front (see photo below).
Note: these Avanco DC isolators may have the external enclosure marked with the following model numbers:
- Clear Lid: AV/ENC4P25AC
- Opaque Lid: AV/ENC4P25AO.
Information for consumers
If you identify that you have these isolators installed you should shut down the system immediately by following the shut down procedure.
If you are unsure or can't identify the types of isolators you have, check your operating manual or invoice. If you are still unsure contact your installer or an electrical contractor for further advice.
You do not need an electrician to shut the system down. However, you should seek assistance if you are unsure of how to safely carry out the shut down procedure. Once the system is shut down it is electrically safe.
Under the recall order Advancetech Pty Ltd are required to organise replacement of the isolator and pay for all the costs relating to supply and installation of the replacement isolator they organise. The ESO has been advised that Advancetech Pty Ltd have been placed into receivership and will not complete the requirements of the recall order.
The recall requires replacement of the Avanco DC isolator. This includes replacement of the entire device (switch mechanism and the associated enclosure). Just replacing the switch mechanism does not remove the electrical safety risk associated with the Avanco DC isolator recall.
Consumer rights
As a consumer, you have certain rights under the Australian Consumer Law for products or services that are not of acceptable quality.
For more information on consumer rights you can contact the Queensland Office of Fair Trading on 13QGOV (137468) or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502.
Information for suppliers
You can no longer supply the defective Avanco isolator models listed above. If you have supplied the isolators you should contact your customers and advise them that:
- they can no longer install the defective isolators
- they should contact their customers who may be affected and advise them to shut down the system immediately until they can be replaced.
Once the system is shut down it is electrically safe.
Information for installers / electrical contractors
You can no longer install these Avanco isolators.
If you have installed the isolators you should contact your customers and advise them to shut down the system immediately until they can be replaced. Once the system is shut down it is electrically safe.
If you have installed the isolators you should contact your supplier regarding any refund or product replacement advice.
The recall requires replacement of the Avanco DC isolator. This includes replacement of the entire device (switch mechanism and the associated enclosure). Just replacing the switch mechanism does not remove the electrical safety risk associated with the Avanco DC isolator recall.
Information for tenants and landlords
Tenants
If you identify that the solar power system has one of these Avanco isolators or are concerned that it may, you should shut down the system immediately and contact your real estate agent or landlord for further advice.
Landlords and real estate agents
If the rental property has these Avanco isolators installed you should arrange for the system to be shut down immediately until they can be replaced. Advise the tenant that once the system is shut down it is electrically safe.
If you are contacted by the tenant who has identified one of these isolators or has concerns that they may be installed you should advise them to shut the system down. If they are unsure about the shut down procedure you should make arrangements to have the system shut down as soon as possible. Once the system is shut down it is electrically safe.
Q. What is the shutdown procedure?
The shutdown procedure is the safe order of turning off the solar power system. The procedure may be on a label in the switchboard where you would find the main power switch for your house, or in the literature left by the installer. You should follow the procedure supplied with your system.
If you are unsure about shutting down your system contact your installer or an electrical contractor for further advice.