Certifications for DC isolators cancelled

Worksafe Queensland has issued an alert advising that SAA Approvals has cancelled 18 certifications for DC isolators.

Direct current (DC) isolators used in photovoltaic solar systems in household installations are classified as high risk (level 3) electrical equipment in the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS).

They are required to be registered on the EESS national database before they are supplied in Queensland. This registration requires using a valid certificate of conformity.

Worksafe said the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) was advised by SAA Approvals (a private certification body) that they had cancelled 18 certifications for DC isolators. This means any EESS registrations associated with these DC isolators certifications were also cancelled on 29 September 2021.

Responsible suppliers are not allowed to supply the affected DC isolators until they are re-certified and re-registered.

The ESO is investigating the circumstances of the cancellation.

Worksafe is advising contractors that before they purchase a DC isolator, they must ensure it is not one of the DC isolators affected by this certification cancellation.

• ESO recommends that if contractors have stock that was purchased before 29 September 2021, they should not install it until the DC isolator is confirmed by the responsible supplier they purchased it from that it has been re-certified and re-registered.
• At this stage contractors do not need to do anything regarding DC isolators that have already been installed. Regulators are working to verify that there are no safety concerns with the affected products.
• Contractors should check the EESS website to be sure the products they are supplying are registered and look for the Regulatory Compliance Mark on the product.
   

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