A warning for installers.

Make sure you have a copy of the IEC 62619 compliance certificate in hand BEFORE purchasing any lithium-ion battery systems. Better still, ensure they are on the CEC approved battery list (and it is the correct model).

Recently a well-known brand of lithium-ion battery was supplied to an installer for an off-grid project. They were installed and an electrical inspection was arranged. The LEI, doing his due diligence, defected the batteries as there was no IEC 62619 certificate and were not on the CEC approved battery list. Although the importer/supplier kept saying that “they complied to IEC.”

Unhappy customer stressed out installer!

Back and forth for 2 weeks, with the importer/supplier still saying that they “complied with IEC”. Unhappy customer stressed out installer. Finally, after many emails and phone calls, the importer/supplier has acknowledged they cannot supply a compliance certificate and will take the batteries back.

This story has a happy ending but caused much stress and will cost the installer to remove and replace the battery system.

Back and forth for 2 weeks, with the importer/supplier still saying that they “complied with IEC”. Unhappy customer stressed out installer! Finally, after many emails and phone calls, the importer/supplier has acknowledged they cannot supply a compliance certificate and will take the batteries back.

This story has a happy ending but caused much stress and will cost the installer to remove and replace the battery system.

The moral of the story is …

• Don’t trust verbal assurances, even reputable brands can be non-compliant
• Check CEC approved battery list BEFORE purchasing
• If it isn’t on the CEC approved battery list, then be cautious, ensure you have a copy of the IEC 62619 certificate and you will need to comply with all the requirements of AS/NZS5139 Section 6. A lot of additional work for the installer.

 

A big thank you to David Tolliday from Holmesglen Institute for writing this story. David is the Senior Training Coordinator, Renewable Energy Training Programs (Engineering & Electrotechnology) and Holmesglen Institute Moorabbin Campus and an SEIA Vic Committee Member