AIO and double-pole switches

As the AIO in island mode is centre tapped from earth, with standard wall power sockets the neutral will be ‘live’ at a nominal 115 volts even when the socket is switched off, since UK standard sockets have only live switched. Obviously some risk with this.

Has anyone who has had an AIO installed had their installer ask/ suggest/ recommend/ insist on replacing all socket outlets etc with ones with double-pole switches - ie both live and neutral are isolated when the socket is switched off?

Your installer needs to look at enabling the N-E link when in island mode.

It’s not actually centre tapped, it’s a (now) acknowledged bad design choice of them initially setting it up to run as IT earthed (which looks like centre tapped 110V to earth - which doesn’t comply with BS7671) - a newer firmware can enable the N-E bond which essentially pulls you back to 0V N-E.
your installer will need to retest everything but it atleast now works in a compliant way.

You may find your RCD trips going in and out of island mode though - which may require a new gateway to resolve.

Thanks for the replies. I don't have an AIO yet, but doing research so I know what questions to ask potential installers. Good to know that the 'problem' has a solution. I suspect that not all installers know about the issue, same as they don't know about securing the wi-fi...

hoggy

And will the gateway parts be FoC as what was sold was non compliant or does the customer need to pay out?

Good to see it addressed, but the customer shouldn’t be picking up that bill if the gateway now might trip RCD on backup?

I know I’ll get asked by someone who had one installed, so thought I’d ask.

kram no idea (I don't fit them for a living) - I think they have RMA'd them in the past although that might not be the case forever.
Installers time however...

hoggy Installers time however...

Indeed. £300-500 quid loss of revenue is what they're looking at depending on area.

I think they'd be quite entitled to refuse to do the work unless the customer/GE coughs up the cash in advance.

Its not their fault that GE have an idiot signing off design specs who thinks that no earth connection is acceptable in the UK. Arguably its the installers fault for not testing/rejecting the AIO for non-compliance but smaller companies simply can't afford to do that.

Not good any way you look at it.

hoggy Vestas
I am currently on the waiting list to get my Gateway replaced by a GE technician. My installer showed little interest when GE asked if he’d like to do it. I guess because he’s not a big fan of working for no pay.

Goodness knows how long it will take me to get to the top of the list. I imagine it’s quite a long one.

PianSom
Having had my install in November of last year is there a way for me to check my system?

Tenkaykev
I was installed in Sep, so just a few months before you.

I am no expert, but as Hoggy mentioned, I have issues with Island Mode and RCD/RCBO circuits tripping. If you don't have these sort of issues then it may be that you are ok. When you disconnect the grid does your system move to/from Island Mode ok?

For me, it all came to a head a few weeks ago while I was on holiday and there was a power cut (caused by a high voltage power line failing locally). I had to get someone to go in to do a reset, so that the freezer came back on. Hopefully a new Gateway will solve the issue.

PianSom
I'm not sure if that was tested after the system was installed. Haven't had a power cut yet 🤞I will check the handover documents. Is there a changeover switch to emulate mains failure ?

Tenkaykev
I believe some installs (not mine) have a switch after the meter to isolate the house.

There’s switch in the right of the Gateway to turn off the grid supply to it. Personally I wouldn’t go messing with it. When I did it flipped the Gateway battery RCD on the left without me noticing. So I lost all power and couldn’t get it back. Scared the hell out of me for a while.

You may well be more knowledgeable or braver than me, but consider yourself warned!

There is a new AIO install document, that has a drawing of the Earthing pole. I checked with my installer and he confirmed that’s how it is at my property. I test the EPS mode once a Quarter and never get a trip on any fuses.

https://kb.givenergy.cloud/article.php?id=85