Amendments to AS/NZS5033:2014 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays

12 July 2018

Technical Updates

Your attention is drawn to the recently released amendments to AS/NZS5033:2014 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.

These safety based amendments will be mandatory from 1 January 2019.

It is highly recommended that solar installers start implementing these amendments in work currently being planned or performed wherever possible.

From 1 January 2019, Electrical Safety Inspectors will pay particular attention to compliance with the follow amendments:

Use multi-holed compression glands, one hole for each cable, to seal conduits on entry and exit from IP rated equipment e.g. isolators and for conduits carrying conductors to switchboards and the like. NOTE: - The use of silicon to seal conduits will not be permitted after 1st January 2019.
Mount isolators vertically where possible, unless specifically permitted by manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Use bottom entry to isolators and joiner boxes.
Avoid side entry to isolators, unless necessary and allowed by manufacturer.
Use of manufacturer’s entries only to IP Rated equipment.
No entry is permitted to the top face of any IP rated equipment.
Use only manufacturer’s mounting provisions – no reliance on “silicon” to seal.
Sealing and where necessary and gluing adaptors to IP rated equipment.
No (weep) holes drilled to drain water in IP rated equipment.