07/05/2026
There are a number of electricians in regional areas who have chosen not to specialize in solar and battery installations. This is not due to a lack of understanding or capability. In my own work, I regularly build off-grid systems, standalone power systems for cameras, lighting, Wi-Fi infrastructure, and backup generator systems.
What is becoming increasingly difficult, however, is attending sites where solar and battery systems have not been installed in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 5139. The issues I am encountering are not isolated cases and are creating significant safety and compliance concerns for electricians who attend these sites after the original installation has been completed.
Some of the most common issues I am finding include:
• Switchboards that are not wired or segregated correctly.
• Missing or inadequate labelling, making it difficult to safely isolate inverters, batteries, or alternative supplies.
• Main switches that no longer function as the true site isolation point.
• Alternative supply systems installed within common enclosures without appropriate segregation.
• Incorrect breaker and RCD selection, particularly where Type A protection has not been installed where required.
• Poor termination practices, including connectors not correctly securing conductors.
• Internal switchboard modifications that prevent proper panel closure or compromise fire containment.
When another electrician attends a site and finds these issues, it places a significant duty of care responsibility on them. Before any work can safely proceed, the installation often needs to be assessed and, in some cases, partially dismantled to determine how it has been configured.
The challenge is that the attending electrician now inherits responsibility for identifying unsafe conditions and ensuring the site can remain operational and safe. At the same time, liability for defective workmanship ultimately rests with the original installer, yet many installers are not local to the area and may not return promptly to rectify defects.
I was originally only installing a new oven; however, I lodged a CCEW with the Building Commission regarding the faulty workmanship I found within the switchboard. Even though I did not have prior approval from the owner, this customer had been a long-term client and I felt obligated to make the switchboard safe so that they could continue to have electricity.
The original installers later returned to rectify their section of the installation; however, they then criticized the temporary repairs I had carried out to make the installation safe. It becomes difficult when you are working in remote areas, suppliers are closed for a long weekend, and immediate solutions are required to restore safe power to a property.
On this particular job, my initial inspection identified a severely warped bakelite panel, which in itself raises compliance concerns. There was also insufficient labelling to safely isolate the system. Even after isolation procedures were carried out, voltage was still present on the neutral conductor.
Situations like this create difficult decisions for any electrician. Do you leave the site energised knowing the installation may be unsafe, or disconnect power and leave the owner without electricity until the original installer returns?
Another concern was the continued use of the original “GRID” main switch arrangement within the same enclosure as the remaining circuits.
Under AS/NZS 3000 Clause 3.9.8.2 (a) - Common Enclosures: Conductors that form part of different electrical installations shall not be installed within the same wiring enclosure. Since a solar/battery system is often treated as an "alternative supply," specific segregation is required if its DC or backup AC components interact with the grid-connected installation.
And Clause 3.9.8.2 (b) - Segregation: If conductors from different portions of an installation terminate in a common enclosure, they must be effectively segregated from each other. This is often achieved by internal barriers (like a bridge or divider) or by using a separate sub-board for backup loads.
There are a number of electricians around Australia that I follow professionally, and many are asking the same question — do we open the switchboard and take responsibility for what we find, or do we leave it untouched?
I also continue to find installations where standard breakers or RCDs have been left in place instead of upgrading to Type A devices where required. If an RCD does not carry the appropriate Type A marking and symbol, it may not provide the level of protection intended for modern inverter and battery systems.
Another issue is the quality of workmanship within the switchboard itself, particularly around fire protection, cable management, and ensuring the panel can close correctly without placing pressure on internal components.
I appreciate that not every installation issue is intentional, and many contractors do carry out high-quality work. In my experience, locally based electrical businesses are generally more accountable and responsive to the communities they serve. The problems are more commonly associated with large-volume installation companies operating outside the local area.
If property owners believe their installation may not comply, or if they have concerns regarding safety or workmanship, they can contact the Building Commission on 13 27 00, or contact myself, Rob Hatton, on 0400 904 249 for further advice and inspection pathways.
Why am I writing this?
To make the public aware of the issues that can arise when installing solar and battery systems, particularly where workmanship, planning, or compliance may not meet the required standards.
When considering a battery installation, it is important to ensure the system is correctly designed for your property and future requirements. This is not just about the battery capacity or the number of solar panels — it is also about choosing the correct inverter size and ensuring the installation is suitable for the loads you intend to operate.
For example, a 5kW inverter may not adequately support appliances such as ovens, induction cooktops, pool equipment, or other larger household loads. Property owners should be considering both their current and future electrical demands before committing to a system. And remember they just want to sell another system.
As electricians, we have a responsibility to remain professional and ensure installations are safe and compliant. As property owners, you also have the right to expect that your installation is not only functional, but safe, compliant, and not an incident waiting to happen.
