South Africa’s move to solar has been fast — and that’s a good thing. But it has also created a wave of installations that “work” while hiding serious electrical and fire risks.
Below are some of the most common safety and compliance failures seen in residential solar installations, especially under load-shedding pressure where speed often beats standards.
1) Battery cable sizing and uneven lengths
One of the most common faults is undersized battery cables between the inverter and battery bank.
Even worse: parallel battery setups with cables of different lengths, which can create uneven current sharing. That leads to excess heat, premature battery wear, and in extreme cases, fire risk.
2) Missing DC protection between batteries and inverters
It’s surprisingly common to find systems with no proper DC fuse or breaker between the battery bank and inverter.
Lithium systems can deliver very high fault currents, and without correct protection, a short circuit can escalate quickly.
3) Poor cable routing (no trunking, sharp edges, heat exposure)
Loose cabling, no trunking, sharp edges, and tight bends are a recipe for insulation damage over time.
This is especially risky inside DB boards and where cables run through roof spaces.
4) Incorrect AC cable sizing and termination
Inverters can pull and supply heavy current depending on load and surge.
If the AC conductors are undersized or terminations are poor, you get heating, voltage drop, nuisance trips, and long-term reliability issues.
5) Non-compliant equipment in real-world setups
Some systems use equipment that’s not suitable for the intended application, or not compliant for the environment it’s installed in.
Often, the homeowner only discovers this when trying to obtain a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) or when insurance questions the installation.
Final note
Solar is not a “plug-and-play” product — it’s a high-energy electrical installation.
If compliance and safety are not treated as non-negotiable, the risks are real.
For more general information on professional solar system design and safety-first installation principles in South Africa:
https://enerlux.co.za
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