Hardware

How should essential vs non-essential circuits be labelled on an SA solar DB?

Use clear, durable labels that match the single-line diagram and dual-supply warnings — colour conventions vary by electrician, so the written legend matters more than assuming “red means essential.”

Updated 27 October 2026 · Illustrative ranges — not a formal quote, credit decision or legal advice.

Answer first: Demand a labelled photo of the essential board and a matching single-line diagram in the handover file. Dual-supply NRS-style labels stay mandatory regardless of colour choice — essentials · dual-supply labels · CoC · DB space.

Label pack to request

Essential board header + circuit list.
Non-essential / grid-only board header.
Dual-supply warning at the main DB.
Inverter AC/DC isolator tags matching the schematic.

AC isolator · DC isolation · SSEG inspection.

Desk close

Keep metro and OEM PDFs beside this page. When rand bands disagree with a live primary, the primary wins — metro tariffs · tariffs 2026 · choose installer · get quotes · check a quote.

Lock the decision rule into the handover pack

Write one clear operating rule for this topic — what stays on, what stays off, which setting is correct, and who to call. Store it with the CoC and monitoring login. Households that rely on memory fail the first awkward Stage 4 evening.

Revisit the rule when you add loads or change tariff. Stale rules create expensive surprises on the next bill.

Sources homeowners can open

Your metro SSEG / tariff PDF (live municipal site).
OEM inverter and battery installation + warranty PDFs for the quoted SKUs.
NERSA and municipal tariff schedules for the current year.
SANS / NRS notes via your registered electrician.

Commissioning evidence pack

Serial photos, firmware version, export-limit screenshot, CT polarity photo, dual-supply labels, CoC number, guest monitoring login — kept with the invoice PDF — CoC · export limit · CT clamps · labels · firmware · warranty claims.

Tariff and fixed-charge reminder

Fixed charges remain after panels go up — fixed charges · monthly savings · export vs self-use · tariffs 2026 · bill still high · metro tariffs · costs & savings.

Safety do-not list

Do not DIY dual-supply boards, earthing, or MC4 strings.
Do not bridge RCDs or defeat BMS protections.
Do not ignore isolation or earth-fault alarms.
Do not disable export limits or grid-interface settings.

DIY risks · earth leakage · MC4 · DC isolation · red flags · N-E island.

Stage-weekend reality check

Essentials first through your worst Stage window — fridge, lights, fibre, one work laptop — before comfort loads — essentials · Stage strategy · Stage 4 · SoC · Stage table · load shedding hub.

Extra SA context

Keep metro and OEM PDFs beside this page. When rand bands disagree with a live primary, the primary wins. Revisit after Stage-calendar or tariff changes — choose installer · get quotes · check a quote · FAQ · about.

Handover note 1

Photograph serials, labels and the essential board before the cover closes. Keep guest monitoring access with the invoice. When Stage calendars change, revisit SoC floors — SoC · Stage strategy · Stage 4 · essentials · monitoring · choose installer · get quotes · check a quote · FAQ · about · costs & savings · batteries.

Handover note 2

Handover note 3

Handover note 4

Handover note 5

Handover note 6

Handover note 7

Extra SA context note 2

Keep metro and OEM PDFs beside this page. When rand bands disagree with a live primary, the primary wins — SoC · Stage strategy · Stage 4 · essentials · monitoring · choose installer · get quotes · check a quote · FAQ · about · costs & savings · batteries.

Extra SA context note 2

Homeowner action list

Match quote SKUs to installed serial photos.
Confirm export setpoint and CT polarity in the handover pack.
Put fibre/router on essentials so monitoring and clocks survive Stage.
File CoC, dual-supply photos and guest login with the invoice PDF.

CoC · export limit · CT clamps · fibre backup · labels · check a quote · get quotes.

Bill maths before hardware

Pull three months of kWh and rand from your bill or prepaid tokens. Compare that to the quote’s self-use assumption at your metro’s published rates — monthly savings · fixed charges · export vs self-use · export credit vs self-use rand · metro tariffs · costs & savings · check a quote.

Label colours that speed fault-finding

Consistent red/white dual-supply labels, numbered breakers and a laminated legend cut Stage chaos. Inspectors also read labels. Replace faded stickers annually in sunny plant rooms.

Match labels to the as-built PDF page numbers.
Mark EV and geyser circuits clearly for load management.
NRS labels · essential vs not.

Homeowner close-out for essential board label colours sa

Keep OEM and metro PDFs beside this answer. Confirm Incl. VAT line items, NRS-listed SKUs where relevant, and who owns paperwork after deposit. Compare two written scopes before you pay — read a quote · choose installer · check a quote · get quotes · costs & savings · metro tariffs.

Quick questions

Is there one national colour code?

Practice varies — insist on a printed legend tied to the CoC pack.

What must be obvious?

Which board stays alive in island mode, and dual-supply danger labels.

Can I relabel myself?

Ask the electrician — wrong labels are a safety hazard.

Photos?

Yes — photograph before the cover closes.