2026 safeelectric guidelines for off grid backup system

N-sligo-blowin · 06-03-2026 06:17PM #1

We have a solar PV setup with hybrid inverter.
Wanting to add battery capacity and an off grid switch, we contact our contractor. Upon technical visit, new safeelectric guide lines for an off grid backup system are mentioned: these would only allow to connect '2 circuits' to the inverter. This would be to prevent the inverter, and the connection to it, to be overloaded.
I couldn't find these guidelines online, and have written Safe Electric to ask if they have been published. No response so far.

Our recently deep renovated house has 9 socket circuits and 5 light circuits. Having to choose 2 wouldn't work for us.
This 2 circuit guidance seems based on adding fuse capacity, rather than real life usage. Hard to use the full fuse capacity with current day domestic LED lighting in a single room …

I asked our contractor if it wouldn't be possible to protect the inverter connection with an extra 25 amp fuse, and also raised the possibility of a smart load control panel. The answer is: "due to the regulations set by Safe Electric Ireland there is nothing we can do"

This seems absurd in 2026?

Cuddlesworth · 07-03-2026 04:37PM

It makes a fair amount of sense.

For grid connected setup, they limit your output to 5.5kwh or 25 amps which would be standard for a circuit in Ireland. The inverter would be incapable of feeding a full house in it's entirety.

For a proper off-grid system, as long as it's installed to the wiring standards you can install what you want.

Just do the essentials like heating and kitchen.

N-sligo-blowin · 07-03-2026 09:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124293931#Comment_124293931

Could you elaborate? What would qualify as a proper off grid system?

Hard to see how we would go over 25 amps with fridge, freezer, microwave, lighting and computers. Yet, our contractor feels they can not connect more than 2 circuits to our inverter.

graememk · 07-03-2026 10:12PM

It's no different to having a changeover switch though.

Maybe this is what they are referring to.

https://safeelectric.ie/contractors/tech-information/a-focus-on-relevant-clauses-for-solar-photovoltaic-pv-systems-and-the-use-of-automatic-changeover-switches/

A manual changeover is different to an automatic one, as there is a decision made to run from backup.

Some common sense is needed, and while the circuits are rated to a certain power they rarely run at that. So discrimination comes into play.

Also the knowledge that your off grid too will be a factor and keeping power use to a minimum...

If you over load the inverter. It just shuts down.

N-sligo-blowin · 07-03-2026 10:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124294833#Comment_124294833

Tnx, it appears the new guidelines are based on the last paragraph under ADS: "Also, in order to comply with clause 433.1 and clause 8.82.7.1, load shedding may need to be considered in island mode as, for example, a single-phase micro-generator may only have a maximum back-up output of approx. 25 A and may not be suitable for large loads such as an electric cooker etc."

Our problem is, that our contractor appears convinced a load control panel wouldn't be acceptable for Safe Electric. I'm guessing/hoping that could be incorrect.

Problem of switching contractor is that we were very happy till now, and that we might run into compatibility issues.

Power outages are bad for us, as we live on a fairly small section and seem to get fixed later than others after a storm.

graememk · 08-03-2026 12:05AM

And that's the crux of safe electric, it's all opinion/interpretation.

It's no different to a generator changeover switch.

If power outages are that common maybe that would be a viable option?

Cuddlesworth · 08-03-2026 08:43PM

Off grid means it's not connected to the grid. Independent, house runs on its own power.

Your describing a grid connected hybrid inverter with a battery, with AC outputs that can provide power in case of a outage. A invertor which is limited to a output of 5.5kw, where the grid is 8-12kw usually.

You can get inverters that can power everything in the house at once but technically your not allowed to connect them to the grid in Ireland.

So that guidance makes sense, to limit the potential load on the inverter. For the times power does drop completely get a generator, run it during times your cooking and to top up the battery and then turn it off. Run the fridge and sitting room off the battery.

al2025 · 08-03-2026 08:44PM

We had a changeover switch fitted 2 months ago, no mention of above, just as Graeme says, shut off or limit use. Well capable of running heat pump for eg.

N-sligo-blowin · 08-03-2026 09:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124296703#Comment_124296703

Rather than a noisy generator (have lived with those abroad) we'd prefer to add the 16 amp V2L from the KIA in our mix, if we can find a panel that can integrate it.

Until now we've used the V2L with a separate temporary circuit of extension cables running through the house; it has kept fridge, freezer and some lights going during the last multiple day outage. A pain to set up, cables everywhere, and no power whenever we need to drive the car.

We're not looking to power 'the whole house' including hob and under floor heating. Just multiple socket circuits and all lights. That appears impossible with the narrow interpretation at the moment.

N-sligo-blowin · 08-03-2026 09:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124296708#Comment_124296708

And now our contractor says they are not allowed to do exactly that, because of new guidelines from January this year.

pureza · 09-03-2026 11:42AM

in island mode have you access to the power from the panels or is it just the battery and in island mode do the panels still charge the battery during a grid outage?

2026 safeelectric guidelines for off grid backup system

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