DC Isolator Recall/Replacement

Solar installation quality has come a long way from where it once was, so much so that the pendulum has over-corrected in many ways, but that is another story, today we are addressing the former and going back to wild-west-esque days of solar prior to 2013.

In a time not so long ago, there was very little regulation of what equipment could be used for solar, this coupled with the increasing demand for stock and the harsh, varied Australian conditions the humble, but questionable DC isolator was destined to face an unpredictable future.

At this point, there was no requirement for DC isolators to be installed with a cover as they are now, resulting in constant UV exposure, fast-tracking the rate at which these isolators degraded, causing the plastic to become brittle and compromise the ability to keep water out, which caused them to catch on fire.

Water ingress was one common issue, but there were others that surfaced depending on the brand (as you can find in the references below), including the isolator not functioning and remaining on despite being in the off position and the isolator being made from materials that were not made to withstand UV exposure in the first place.

DC Isolators were such a contentious issue over this time frame that the latest Solar Installation Standard AS/NZS 5033:2021 has removed them as a mandatory requirement all together to bring Australia more inline with the rest of the world.

Castle Solar welcomes the opportunity to replace your DC isolators with compliant alternatives and can also provide guidance on obtaining potential reimbursement from the original installer/DC isolator manufacturer.

You can find a list of manufacturers involved in the recall in the links below along with an explanation of your options.

Lastly, remember that despite the updated regulations, there are still solar companies that use unethical sales and installation practices along with unreliable equipment. Ensure that you choose a local, trusted company that only installs quality equipment and will be around for years to come.