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Answer

At the switchboard/metering location you need the AS/NZS 5033 fire/emergency “PV” reflector sign, plus the AS/NZS 5033 “PV (Solar) site information” plan sign and the shutdown procedure sign (or in the switchboard if the inverter is adjacent). At the inverter you need the shutdown procedure placed adjacent/visible to the equipment being operated, and all PV d.c. disconnection devices and junction boxes must be labelled with the exact AS/NZS 5033 warning text. Where there are multiple d.c. sources or disconnection points, AS/NZS 5033 requires additional specific warning labels at the PCE/cables/modules.

Details

Switchboard / main metering panel (AS/NZS 5033)

• Fire & emergency identifier (“PV” reflector): PV systems shall have a circular green reflector sign at least 100 mm diameter with letters “PV” on or immediately adjacent to the main metering panel and main switchboard, readily visible to approaching emergency workers. The sign must also include one of “AC” / “DP” / “SW” below “PV” depending on the system isolation method described in the clause.
• Solar system layout / site information sign location: Solar system layout shall be shown on a plan located at the main switchboard and/or meter box, fire panel.
• Site information sign construction + content: The site information sign shall be:
  • durable (e.g. laminated or protected by clear sheet), permanently fixed, English, and titled “PV (Solar) site information” in white letters on a red background
  • include address, plan view showing PCE and PV array(s), legend/labels, “you are here”, accuracy, and installation date
  • for PV d.c. systems, include d.c. cable path, d.c. disconnection point(s) marked “DP”, location of additional load break disconnectors, PV array size, d.c. voltage, and a warning if d.c. disconnection types can only be operated by suitably qualified personnel
• Shutdown procedure placement (can be at switchboard if adjacent): All systems shall include a shutdown procedure placed adjacent to and visible from the equipment to be operated; if the inverter is adjacent to the switchboard it’s directly connected to, the shutdown procedure may be placed within that switchboard.
  • The shutdown procedure shall include the warning: “WARNING: PV ARRAY d.c. ISOLATORS DO NOT DE-ENERGIZE THE PV ARRAY AND PV CABLES.”
  • Device labelling must be consistent with the terminology used in the shutdown procedure.

Inverter / PV d.c. equipment labelling (AS/NZS 5033)

• PV d.c. wiring enclosures identification (“SOLAR”): Where PV d.c. cables are not installed directly behind/adjacent to the PV modules, the wiring system shall be labelled “SOLAR” on the exterior at intervals not exceeding 2 m and be visible after mounting.
• Accessible ceiling/floor space warning (if applicable): If PV d.c. wiring systems are installed in an accessible ceiling/floor space, a warning label shall be installed adjacent to the access point with the specified hazardous d.c. voltage warning text; minimum letter size 10 mm.
• Junction boxes with PV d.c. terminations: Junction boxes housing PV d.c. terminations must have a warning label stating “WARNING: HAZARDOUS d.c. VOLTAGE”.
• PV array load break disconnector label: Load break disconnectors shall have a prominent sign with text “PV ARRAY d.c. ISOLATOR”.
• Multiple d.c. sources (not ganged): Where multiple isolation/disconnection devices are used and not ganged, a sign shall be fixed adjacent to the PCE stating:
  “WARNING: MULTIPLE d.c. SOURCES / TURN OFF ALL d.c. ISOLATORS TO ISOLATE EQUIPMENT”
• PV string disconnection point (plug-type) labels:
  • Attach to both + and - cable within 100 mm of the disconnection point: “WARNING: LOADS MUST BE ISOLATED AND CIRCUIT MUST BE TESTED FOR THE ABSENCE OF CURRENT BEFORE UNPLUGGING”
  • Attach within 300 mm of the disconnection point on the module/structure: “WARNING: PV STRING DISCONNECTION POINT”
• Durability / UV: Outdoor markings must not be degraded by UV (exception for engraved/embossed/etched durable markings).

Switchboard & inverter A.C. isolator signage (AS/NZS 4777.1 - commonly required alongside 5033)
AS/NZS 5033 covers the PV array (d.c.) side signage; for the grid-connected inverter supply and switchboard warnings, AS/NZS 4777.1 sets the required switchboard/inverter supply labels:

• On the switchboard the IES is directly connected to, signs shall include:
  • “WARNING / MULTIPLE SUPPLIES / ISOLATE ALL SUPPLIES BEFORE WORKING ON THIS SWITCHBOARD”
  • main switch labels including “MAIN SWITCH (INVERTER)” and “MAIN SWITCH (GRID)” where applicable
• Adjacent to inverter(s): an “INVERTER A.C. ISOLATOR” sign shall be installed for isolators adjacent to the inverter(s).

What to Check On-Site

• At the main switchboard and meter panel, confirm the green “PV” reflector is there, ≥100 mm dia, and has the correct suffix (AC/DP/SW) for the actual isolation method used.
• Confirm the “PV (Solar) site information” sign is installed at the main switchboard/meter box/fire panel, and that it includes the PCE + array locations, “you are here”, install date, and for PV d.c. systems the d.c. cable path, DP locations, array size and d.c. voltage.
• Confirm the shutdown procedure is adjacent and visible to the gear being operated (or inside the switchboard if inverter is adjacent) and includes the mandatory warning about PV array d.c. isolators not de-energising the array/cables.
• Walk the PV d.c. run: check “SOLAR” labels on enclosures at ≤2 m intervals where required, and check junction boxes and disconnectors have the exact warning labels (“HAZARDOUS d.c. VOLTAGE”, “PV ARRAY d.c. ISOLATOR”, etc.).
• If there are multiple d.c. isolators not ganged, confirm the “MULTIPLE d.c. SOURCES” warning is fixed adjacent to the PCE.

Checklist

• Green circular reflector “PV” sign installed at main switchboard and main metering panel, ≥100 mm dia, with correct AC/DP/SW marking.
• “PV (Solar) site information” sign installed at main switchboard/meter box/fire panel with plan, “you are here”, install date, and PV d.c. details (d.c. path, DP, array size, d.c. voltage).
• Shutdown procedure sign placed adjacent/visible to shutdown equipment and includes the mandatory PV array isolator warning text.
• PV d.c. wiring enclosures labelled “SOLAR” at intervals ≤2 m where the d.c. run is not directly behind/adjacent to modules.
• PV array d.c. isolators labelled “PV ARRAY d.c. ISOLATOR” and any non-ganged multiple d.c. sources have the required “MULTIPLE d.c. SOURCES” warning at the PCE.
• Junction boxes with PV d.c. terminations labelled “WARNING: HAZARDOUS d.c. VOLTAGE” and any PV string disconnection points have the 100 mm / 300 mm warning labels fitted.

References

• AS/NZS 5033:2021 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays
• AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters - Installation requirements