Why is earthing essential in solar PV systems?
Earthing provides a low-resistance path for fault currents and lightning, protecting equipment and users.
🛡️ Important: Do not install an earth spike for PV without bonding it to the premises’ main earthing system—separate earths are prohibited.
What does SANS 10142‑1 say about multiple earth systems?
Clause 6.12.1.4 mandates that all earth terminals on a premises be bonded into one equipotential earth system linkedin.comlinkedin.com+3portal.segensolar.co.za+3freyrenergy.com+3linkedin.com+2energytalk.co.za+2esera.org.sz+2energytalk.co.za+3eec.co.sz+3esera.org.sz+3 — no isolated earths allowed.
Can solar modules and frames have their own earth?
PV frames and mounting structures must connect to the same equipotential bonding system as the rest of the building . A separate earth spike for panels alone is not allowed.
How should an earth spike for PV be handled?
A spike is permitted for low resistance, but its conductor must be bonded into the main earthing network — isolated spikes are forbidden.
Does a generator need its own earth?
Generators may have their own electrode, but it must be bonded to the main earth bar, creating a single earthing system — no standalone earth allowed.
What about lightning protection grounding?
Lightning rods or equipotential bonding mats must connect into the main earthing system — separate earthing is against SANS.
How thick should the bonding conductor be?
Equipotential bonding conductors—typically 6 mm² copper—must tie all earth electrodes, DBs, panels, and lightning protection into one system guidewiringperilling.z14.web.core.windows.net+12ecasa.co.za+12energytalk.co.za+12linkedin.com.
What resistance to earth is required?
While SANS sets <25 Ω, PV guidance recommends <10 Ω—but regardless of achieved resistance, new electrodes must be bonded, never isolated.
Are AC and DC earthing systems separate?
No—even though DC may have its own earth electrode, it must be fully bonded to the AC/main earth. Separate systems are illegal.
Can TT earthing be used?
TT (isolated consumer spike) is discouraged in SA due to high resistivity. And even with TT, the consumer earth must be bonded to any PV/generator earth—separate earth systems are not allowed .
How to identify earth conductors?
All bonding/earth continuity conductors must be green/yellow, or bare, and clearly labeled—and must join into a single earthing network ecasa.co.za+7cdn.imagearchive.com+7youtube.com+7.
Can earthing and neutral share the same conductor?
No—SANS bans TN‑C systems beyond supply point; neutral and earth must be separate conductors, but all earth conductors must be bonded together esera.org.sz+2energytalk.co.za+2eec.co.sz+2).
What’s equipotential bonding?
It ensures all metal parts (frames, rails, DBs) are at the same potential via a bonding network—creating one unified earth system (not separate).
Do I bond sub‑DBs in garden structures?
Yes—earthing terminals in sub‑DBs must be linked back to the main earth bar; having a solo earth there is not allowed under SANS.
What about earthing for EV chargers?
EV charger earth rods must join into the same main equipotential earth system—you can’t isolate them.
Can I add an earth rod later for extra protection?
Yes—but the new rod must be bonded to your existing earth system. Isolated rods are against regulations.
What testing is required?
SANS requires continuity and bonding tests to prove only one earth system exists—inspectors will look for separate unbonded rods and reject installations.
How do inspectors react to separate earths?
They issue non-compliance notices and refuse Certificate of Compliance — separate earth systems will always fail inspection.
Can underground cables have their own earth?
No—even underground DBs or conduits with earth rods must bond back to the main earth; standalone systems are forbidden.
Why can’t you have two earth systems?
Having different earth potentials creates dangerous touch voltages, impairs RCD function, and violates equipotential bonding rules in SANS 10142‑1.
Do I need a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for a solar installation?
Yes. A CoC is mandatory and must be issued by a registered Installation Electrician (IE) or Master Installation Electrician (MIE), certifying compliance with SANS 10142‑1, as required by OHSA Regulation 9 powerforum.co.za+15sapac.co.za+15energytalk.co.za+15.
Who’s legally allowed to install a solar PV system?
Only registered Electrical Contractors employing an IE or MIE. Single-phase testers and unregistered personnel are not permitted sapac.co.za+1sapac.co.za+1.
Is a municipal or Eskom SSEG registration needed?
Yes—grid-tied systems must be registered via an SSEG application with your municipality or Eskom; unregistered systems are illegal facebook.com+4resource.capetown.gov.za+4sapac.co.za+4.
Which edition of SANS 10142 applies?
The current base wiring standard is SANS 10142‑1:2020. Grid‑connected PV requires SANS 10142‑1‑2 (still draft, but enforced) alumo.co.za+12sapac.co.za+12sapac.co.za+12.
What special wiring rules apply to PV (SANS 10142‑1‑2)?
Requires DC circuit breakers/isolators, separate DC distribution boards, mechanical separation of AC and DC circuits, and correct labeling portal.segensolar.co.za.
Do I need extra earthing/bonding for the PV system?
Yes: PV installations must have separate earth spikes (<10 Ω), 6 mm equipotential bonding across panels and rails, and earth conductor size matching DC cables sseg.org.za+4powerforum.co.za+4sseg.org.za+4.
What surge protection is required?
SPD on both AC and DC circuits must comply with SANS 61643‑11 and IEC 61643‑31, as referenced in SANS 10142‑1‑2 ecasa.co.za+7portal.segensolar.co.za+7sapac.co.za+7.
Does equipment need to meet specific component standards?
Yes: use SANS/IEC‑approved PV modules (61215/61646), inverters compliant with NRS 097‑2‑1, and DC connectors per IEC 62852 sapac.co.za+1webberslaw.com+1.
Are labelling and circuit identification mandatory?
Absolutely—for safety and compliance: all DC circuits, isolators, combiner boxes, and distribution boards must be labeled clearly pqrs.co.za+3lcproofing.co.za+3ecasa.co.za+3.
Does DC/AC wiring separation matter?
Yes. AC and DC circuits cannot share conduits; if in the same enclosure, they must be clearly separated per SANS 10142‑1‑2 powerforum.co.za+11lcproofing.co.za+11portal.segensolar.co.za+11.
How about arc/fault protection?
The system must include arc-fault detection and compliant DC breakers to prevent fire risks, as per SANS 10142‑1‑2 and SANS 60364‑7‑712 sapac.co.za.
Who signs off the Single Line Diagram (SLD)?
An ECSA-registered engineer (electrical or mechatronics) must sign the SLD for SSEG applications sapac.co.za+4sapac.co.za+4cisp.cachefly.net+4.
Is a structural engineer needed?
Yes—for rooftop installations. The engineer ensures roof loading, wind forces, and fire safety meet SANS 10400-A/T/J1 sapac.co.za.
Can I safely install panels on flat roofs?
Yes—but they must be angled and structurally supported per SANS 10400 and a structural engineer’s design .
What about fire safety?
Install panels on non-combustible surfaces with DC wiring separated from combustible materials, as required by SANS 10400‑T and 60364‑7‑712 Annex E sapac.co.za.
Can I install it myself?
No—it's illegal without an IE or MIE overseeing and issuing a CoC powerforum.co.za+7sapac.co.za+7sapac.co.za+7.
What inverter standards apply?
Inverters must comply with NRS 097‑2‑1:2017, ensure anti‑islanding, be city‑approved and listed sseg.org.za+7sapac.co.za+7cisp.cachefly.net+7.
Does Cape Town require an advanced meter?
Yes—if you feed into the grid, a bi-directional AMI meter is required for net‑metering cisp.cachefly.net.
What about off‑grid vs. grid‑tied?
Cape Town considers all systems on properties with grid connection as embedded (grid‑tied), requiring SSEG registration even if off‑grid webberslaw.com+5cisp.cachefly.net+5sapac.co.za+5.
What QA checks are done during inspection?
Inspectors verify earth continuity (<10 Ω), correct conduit sizing, cable ferrules, breaker labels, DC/AC separation, and CoC documentation alumo.co.za+3powerforum.co
What standard governs DC wiring in PV systems?
SANS 10142‑1‑2 (2021) introduces special requirements for PV DC wiring, adding to base SANS 10142‑1
Can AC and DC cables share conduits or enclosures?
No. SANS requires mechanical separation if in the same DB
Can double-insulated PV cable be installed in a roof space without extra conduit or trunking?
Yes — double-insulated (Class II) PV cables like TUV/EN-certified solar cable can be installed in roof spaces without additional conduit, provided they are UV-resistant, halogen-free, and mechanically protected (e.g., out of reach from rodents or heat sources).
Can I run the positive and negative PV cables in the same conduit?
Yes — you must run both positive and negative conductors of a DC circuit in the same conduit or trunking to minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) and ensure inductive loop cancellation.