Maximum Import Capacity (MIC)

jkforde

if you exceed the ESBN MIC for your domestic connection (standard is 12kW per phase right?)... say you charge EV at 6.7kW, charge the home battery at 2.4kW and also run a 3kW kettle (e.g. 7am).. any fallout from doing that from ESBN, either once or regularly?

ECO_Mental

There is no penalty at all it's just if you overload your incomer your could trip fuse main that's probably rated to 60 amps.

What happens is your EV charger will monitor what power you are drawing and will adjust the power delivered to your car so not to exceed the 60 Amps. So it will reduce power if you for example have an electric shower.

MIC charges are only LV max demand customers eg commercial premises

ECO_Mental

Just to let you know you can get a 16kVA connection ESB fuse 100 Amp but main consumer board 80 Amp for around €2k off ESBN. But that's for houses that have heat pumps, EVS, basically all electric houses. I have one as I was building a new house so it was worth my time getting it.

jkforde

ah yes, I'd forgotten about the Grid Limit on the Zappi, thanks for the info 👍👍

KCross

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058275738/maximum-import-capacity-mic

any fallout from doing that from ESBN, either once or regularly?

There is only a fallout if you blow the ESB fuse.

i.e The one they own in the meter box. You can’t change that fuse yourself and they charge you for the call out.

If you regularly blow it they would be asking some serious questions.

ELM327

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119994248#Comment_119994248

They charge you for callouts except the first time!

paulbok

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119993862#Comment_119993862

Do you know what a typical 3 phase connection costs for comparison?

ECO_Mental

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119995260#Comment_119995260

LOTS!!

Well, it depends really if you are near a 3 phase line or not. If you are not near a 3 phase line then they will have to build you your own line to your house and the nearest 3 phase could be a mile away if you are out in the country. If you are lucky and if there is a 3 phase line running in front of your house then its a different story. To be honest I don't think there is a set fee for getting a 3P connection and I briefly looked into it (I have no 3P line near me) so decided on the 16 kVA.

The 16 kVA is more than enough for an all electric house, which I am, HP, EV cooking etc, the most I have pushed mine to is about 14 kW and then only for a short time.

ELM327

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119995260#Comment_119995260

A couple of grand to begin with, plus grid connection cost.

Those connection costs could be a few hundred if you live at a transformer, or a few hundred grand or more.

paulbok

Think I'm a fair bit from a 3 phase line so unless a local farmer gets such a line in, which would leave me within a pole or two, it's nowhere near worth it.

Thinking way down the road with eventually having 2 X EVs, possibly a 3rd when the kids are older and a heat pump to replace the oil.

But more for being able to export more if needed. Have roughly worked out, if I cover every roof of the house and outbuildings with PV, I could get up to ~30kWh, which would have a large surpluses in the summer.

All hypothetical ATM, working through what is the max possible and then working back to what is economical/ worthwhile.

But will definitely be looking into upping to 16kVA in the future.

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119995788#Comment_119995788

Have a look around, if your in the country, it's all on poles, follow them.

If you hit anywhere with 3 wires on the poles that's your 3 phase connection.

Where I am, as the crow flies 3 phase is about a mile away. But if I follow the source of my power, it's about 3 miles. (We're almost on the end of the line)