Faulty solar products prompt safety warning and recall

An urgent safety warning has been issued after two solar products were found to have a risk of fire or electric shock. The products involved are certain models of PVPower DC Isolators and NHP-branded DC Solar Isolated Switches.

The products were sold through electrical wholesalers or direct to solar installers and are likely to have been installed in hundreds of homes throughout the country, according to Master Electricians Australia (MEA) Chief Executive Malcolm Richards.

“We urge homeowners to quickly determine if they have either of these products installed in their homes as the PVPower DC Isolators may overheat and cause a fire, while the NHP DC Solar Isolator switches could cause a deadly electric shock,” Richards said.

“The PVPower branded PV Array DC Isolators feature an internal fault, so while things may look okay from the outside, it’s vital that all homeowners with this product installed have it replaced immediately.

“The NHP branded DC Solar Isolator Switches are defective as they may still be ‘ON’ even when the handle is indicating ‘OFF’ so there’s no way to know they are safe.”

The only PVPower products affected are a batch which was sold between August 2012 and August 2013, while the hazardous batch of NHP switches was available for sale between 11 July 2013 and 11 February 2014.

All defective isolators and switches are required to be replaced. Contact PVPower supplier DKSH by phoning 1800 006 137 or NHP Electrical Engineering Products by phoning (03) 9368 4088.

Richards said homeowners should always be cautious when purchasing electrical and solar products, even from well-known Australian retailers.

“When in doubt, keep in mind that qualified electrical contractors can supply homeowners with items such as cables and associated hardware, and will manage the warranty of the products they install,” he said.

“Working with electricity and solar energy is a tricky business and is best left to the professionals. It’s essential you always make sure to use a reputable electrician for all your electrical work.

“It is absolutely essential that anyone who had this product installed throughout August last year, and the surrounding months, have an electrician check it as there is a high risk it may cause a fire.”

More information about the recalled products is available through www.recalls.gov.au.