Here you can find warnings and recall notices related to solar products, such as those issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
You can read more information on each notice to find out which products are affected and what actions should be taken.
Smart Storage Pty Ltd t/as Ecoult - UltraFlex Battery Energy Storage Device
18 August 2020
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a product safety recall on the following product.
Product description
UltraFlex Battery Energy Storage Device, supplied by Smart Storage Pty Ltd, trading as Ecoult.
Serial numbers: SN00001010, SN00001015, SN00001023, SN00001025, SN00001028, SN00001029, SN00001026, SN00001030, SN00001032, SN00001048, SN00001049, SN00001052, SN00001033, SN00001050, SN00001057, SN00001056, SN00001059, SN00001060, U00008DYC, U00008GMX, U000089JP, U00008B5J, U00008AGE, U000087YR, U00008TYQ, U000089DM, U00008GBZ, U00008A8Q, U000086XS, U000085G3, U00008CXD, U000080ZR, U0000925EA
What are the defects?
The UltraFlex was not designed to independently protect itself or the user against excessive voltage, overheating, or excessive gassing when combined with particular other equipment in a system.
What are the hazards?
Risk of fire and electrocution, which may lead to serious injury or death.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should immediately contact Ecoult to arrange for the decommissioning and removal of the UltraFlex units by a licensed electrician. Ecoult will provide a refund and remove the UltraFlex units.
The product was sold in NSW, NT, Qld, SA and Vic from1 June 2014 to 30 November 2019.
For further information
Consumers can contact Ecoult by phone on 02 9241 3001, via email at [email protected] or going to ecoult.com/contact. For more information on the recall visit the ACCC's website.
Origin Energy Electricity Limited - DC Isolator HGN4-32DC
2 October 2018
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a product safety recall on the following product.
Product description
DC Isolating Switch used in solar installations, supplied by Origin Energy. There is no brand name on the isolator.
Serial number: SAA 121603
What are the defects?
An internal fault may cause the isolators to fail, causing excessive heat.
What are the hazards?
There is a potential risk of fire from faulty contacts within the internal mechanism of this switch.
What should consumers do?
Origin Energy will contact affected customers. Customers are advised to isolate their system by following the shutdown instructions located on their inverter or switchboard. Origin is mobilising licensed electricians as a matter of priority to inspect the affected systems and replace the isolators if required at no charge.
The product was sold in NSW from 13 November 2012 to 6 June 2013.
For further information
Consumers can contact Origin Energy on 1300 791 468. For more information on the recall visit the ACCC's website.
Fortends Pty Ltd - Shenzhen Sofar Solar Mass Energy Inverter
Product description
Grid tied photo voltaic inverter. Inverters convert DC current produced from solar energy to AC current usable for domestic and commercial power consumption. This grid tied inverter exports excess solar production to the network grid.
Serial number: 1st and 2nd digits include SA/SB/SC/SD/SG. 9th and 10th digits include G8/G9/GA/GB/GC/H1 to H9/HA/HB/HC/J1/J2/J3.
What are the defects?
The inverter can exceed voltage limits, and may not switch off when required. Also, the inverter is not labelled to warn of a hot surface.
What are the hazards?
If the inverter continues operating in the event of variations in the power grid voltage, there is a small risk that electrical products in the premises could fail in an unsafe manner resulting in electric shock and/or fire. Contact with hot surfaces of the inverter may cause burns.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should contact Sofar Solar at [email protected] or Fortends at [email protected], providing the model number and serial number of your inverter, which is printed on the left hand side of single phase inverters and right hand side of three phase inverters.
A technician will be scheduled to install new firmware and to ensure settings are correct for use in Australian networks. A hot surface warning label will also be applied to the inverter.
For further information
Consumers can contact Sofar Solar at [email protected] or Fortends at [email protected].
For more information on the recall visit the ACCC's website.
IPD Salzer DC isolators
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a product safety recall on the following product.
Product description
DC Isolator for photovoltaic (solar) applications for disconnecting the DC supply. Ratings are 40 Amps at 1000 volts DC.
Brand: SALZER
IPV40E - DCLB232
IPV40ES - DCLB23
What are the defects?
The Salzer DC LB232 isolators may fail, causing excessive heat. This may cause the isolators to melt or char.
What are the hazards?
The products could present a risk of fire or electrocution under certain conditions.
What should consumers do?
Owners should immediately turn off their solar/photovoltaic system by using the “AC ISOLATOR” switch and turning it to “off”. WARNING: do not operate the isolators marked “PV ARRAY DC ISOLATOR”.
For further information
Contact the IPD Customer Service Centre 1300 556 601 or visit http://www.ipd.com.au/recall to provide your contact details and details of the electrical contractor that performed your original installation and to register for installation of a replacement once available.
For further information contact IPD Customer Service Centre on 1300 556 601 or email [email protected]
For more information on the recall, visit the ACCC's website.
Reposit Power – Reposit Kit including RP115 Meter and Reposit Box
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a product safety recall on the following Reposit Power product.
Product description
Energy gateway device for controlling energy storage (includes RP115 Meter and Reposit Box).
Dates available for sale: 1 March 2015 – 2 May 2017.
What are the defects?
In most installation configurations of the Reposit Kit does not meet the electrical isolation requirements of the most appropriate electrical safety standard (AS61010.1:2003).
What are the hazards?
Certain components within the Reposit Kit could raise a potential risk of electrical shock to electrical installers or to the end user.
What should consumers do?
Affected consumers will be contacted directly. Reposit will provide an upgraded Reposit Kit and installation at no cost to the end user. The removal and installation will be completed by a fully qualified electrician based on approved installation requirements.
For further information
Consumers can contact Reposit Power by phoning toll-free 1800 392 938 Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm or via email at [email protected].
For more information on the recall visit the ACCC's website.
I Want Energy - DC isolating switch
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a product safety recall on the following DC isolating switch.
Product description
Only DC isolating switches with the model number HGN4-32DC are affected. The part number HGN4-32DC is clearly marked on the side of the unit.
Units were installed in Tasmania between 7 October 2011 and 1 March 2014. The supplier is I Want Energy.
What are the hazards?
There is the potential risk of fire from faulty contacts within the internal mechanisms of this switch.
For further information
Consumers should contact I Want Energy on 03 6234 7009 if they suspect they have this switch installed.
For more information on the recall visit the ACCC's website.
Electrical cables prohibition notice
The Queensland Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has issued a prohibition notice to prevent sale and/or installation of some SKL brand thermo-plastic sheath (TPS) electrical cables marked 2013. These cables were imported and supplied by SKL Cables Australia Pty Ltd.
Product description
This applies to 'polymeric insulated electrical cable', which is PVC sheathed and PVC insulated, commonly known as TPS in the trade.
Identifying features
The prohibition notice covers the following cables:
What are the defects?
The PVC material used as electrical insulation on the cable is not a suitable compound and does not comply with Australian safety standards.
What are the hazards?
While there is no immediate safety risk to householders, current testing shows that this cable is likely to deteriorate faster than standard cable. The cable may go brittle prematurely, particularly where exposed to high heat sources, and as such the cable may crack and present a risk of electric shock or fire.
For further information:
The ESO is in discussion with SKL Australia Pty Ltd, the responsible supplier of the affected cable, to determine the amount of cable sold, and to whom and where it was sold, and the recall actions SKL Australia Pty Ltd will take in relation to the non-compliant cable.
Other SKL cable is currently being reviewed, however the 2015 marked TPS cable from SKL has passed the tests that have been applied to date.
Further information is available by calling the Electrical Safety Office on 1300 362 128.
For more information visit the ESO’s website.
NHP DC isolators
26 November 2014
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a product safety recall for two models of NHP branded DC solar isolator switches. This includes switches replaced as a result of a previous recall in February 2014.
Product description
NHP KDA-432 and KDM-432 metal and plastic isolators.
Identifying features
The recall covers NHP isolators with the following model numbers:
What are the defects?
The switch contact mechanism may overheat due to an internal fault. This could result in damage of the switch mechanism, internal arcing and potential damage to the enclosure and cables, which could allow access to live parts.
What are the hazards?
If the defect occurs there is a risk of fire and electric shock.
Dates available for sale
11 July 2013 – 10 October 2014
Where the product was sold
Nationally
Traders who sold this product
The product was sold via electrical wholesalers and direct customer sales.
Supplier
NHP Electrical Engineering Products Pty Ltd
Supplier's website
What should consumers do?
The DC solar isolator switches must be replaced by a licensed installer.
Contact your electrical contractor or installer to arrange for remediation of the affected solar isolator switch.
What should electrical contractors and installers do?
Shut down the PV system.
Defective switches are required to be replaced. For further details contact NHP Electrical Engineering Products Pty Ltd by phone or email.
What should resellers do?
Cease supplying switches and arrange returns to NHP by contacting (03) 9368 4088 or emailing [email protected]. Visit www.nhp.com.au/recall for further details.
For further information:
Please direct all enquiries about this recall to NHP Electrical Engineering Products:
Phone: 1300 647 647
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.nhp.com.au/recall
For more information visit the ACCC's product recalls website.
INFINITY and OLSENT–branded Infinity TPS and Orange Round electrical cables
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recalled all INFINITY and OLSENT–branded Infinity TPS and Orange Round low voltage electrical cables.
Product description
INFINITY and OLSENT branded Infinity TPS (flat and flexible) and Orange Round low voltage electrical cables of all sizes, configurations and models that are polymeric insulated and PVC sheathed/insulated.
Supplier
Infinity Cable Co Pty Ltd
Identifying features
The cable is labelled 'INFINITY' or 'OLSENT' at one-metre intervals.
What are the defects?
The cables fail the required aging tests of AS/NZS 5000.2:2006. The insulation could become prematurely brittle with age.
What are the hazards?
If the insulation becomes brittle and the cables are disturbed, the insulation could break and expose live conductors, resulting in possible electric shock or fires.
Traders who sold these products
INFINITY-branded cables were supplied by:
Both INFINITY and OLSENT–branded cables were supplied by:
Not all OLSENT-branded cable was sourced from Infinity Cable Co Pty Ltd. Masters Home Improvement can arrange for a visual inspection of OLSENT cable which will determine whether the cable is affected by this notice.
One other small supplier was also involved but has already completed the recall.
Where and when were the products supplied?
NSW (2010–2013)
Masters Home Improvement, John Danks & Son, Mitre 10, Pioneer Electrical Supplies, Salmon Bros Data and Electrical, United Electrical and Data Supplies, Alliance Electrical Wholesalers, Sydney Electrical Wholesalers, Ramax Electrical Wholesalers, Network Electrical Supplies, Go Electrical, Advanced Electrical Wholesalers, EZLEC Trade Supplies, Project Lighting
ACT (2011–2013)
Masters Home Improvement, Project Lighting, Popes Electrical and Data Supplies
Victoria (2012–2013)
Masters Home Improvement, John Danks & Son, Mitre 10, Go Electrical
Queensland (2012–2013)
Masters Home Improvement, Mitre 10, HEM Queensland
SA (Mar 2012–Oct 2013)
Masters Home Improvement, John Danks & Son, Mitre 10
WA (Mar 2012–Sep 2013)
Masters Home Improvement, John Danks & Son
Tasmania (Jan 2013–Oct 2013)
John Danks & Son, Mitre 10
NT: Not supplied in the NT
The cables were also supplied in smaller quantities by a number of other smaller suppliers. Individual State and ACT agencies are in contact with those suppliers and recall arrangements will be announced separately.
What should consumers do?
If you suspect any of these cables were installed in your premises, contact the responsible builder, electrical contractor or appliance installer to confirm whether Infinity cable was used. They will liaise with you and the cable supplier from whom they sourced the cable on obtaining remedy under this safety recall. The cable supplier will then arrange for inspection of your wiring and remediation of any installed Infinity cable that they supplied, free of charge to the consumer.
If you want your wiring inspected, the cable supplier should be given the first opportunity to arrange this. If you are uncertain who the cable supplier was, you can arrange for a licensed electrical contractor to inspect your wiring. Inspection costs are not recoverable from cable suppliers if Infinity cable was not installed or if the cable supplier cannot be determined.
If you have any unused or removed Infinity cable you can return itto the cable supplier for a full refund or replacement.
This safety recall is to remedy all installed Infinity cable supplied by the listed cable suppliers as follows:
The safety recall addresses the safety of the installed cable. Consumers with concerns about the quality of Infinity cable that remains installed may have rights under State and Territory electrical safety and/or building legislation, and under the consumer guarantees of Australian Consumer Law. For details relevant to each State and Territory, please see productsafety.gov.au.
For more information visit the ACCC's product recalls website.
GEN3 and SPM rotary DC isolators
On 18 June 2014, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a product safety recall for several models of DC isolator supplied by Uniquip Industries.
Product description
Rotary DC isolator used in PV array applications
Identifying features
The recall covers SPM and GEN3 branded isolators with the following model numbers:
These isolators can be identified by checking the brand marks and model numbers as below:
What are the defects?
The products' internal contacts may have a fault where a high resistance connection could form.
What are the hazards?
There is a risk that the DC isolator may overheat and cause fire.
Dates available for sale
20 December 2012 – 1 March 2014
Where the product was sold
Queensland and Western Australia
Traders who sold this product
The isolators were sold through electrical wholesalers or directly to solar contractors and installers.
Supplier
GWR Pty Ltd trading as Uniquip Industries
Supplier's website
What should consumers do?
Owners should immediately shut down their PV system following the standard shutdown procedure located on the main switchboard or near the inverter (seek assistance from a solar company if you are unsure how to do this safely). You should then arrange a replacement by contacting Uniquip Industries.
What should electrical contractors and installers do?
The faulty DC isolators must be replaced. For more information on the replacement program, contact Uniquip using the contact details below.
What should wholesalers and resellers do?
Cease supplying GEN3 and SPM DC isolators and arrange returns by contacting Uniquip using the contact details below.
For further information:
Please direct all enquiries about this recall to Uniquip Industries:
Phone: 0457 505 122
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.uniquip.net.au/prp
For more information visit the ACCC's product recalls website.
Avanco-branded DC isolators
On 12 May 2014, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a national product safety recall for several models of Avanco brand DC isolators. The national recall follows an earlier Queensland Government product recall.
Product description: Avanco brand rotary type DC isolators
Identifying features: The recall covers Avanco DC solar isolators with the following model numbers:
Defects: The product features an internal fault, where a high-resistance connection may form.
Hazards: There is a risk that the DC isolator may overheat and cause fire.
Dates available for sale: 1 January 2012 – 24 February 2014
Where the product was sold: Nationally
Traders who sold this product: The DC isolators were sold by Advancetech via electrical wholesalers.
Supplier: Advancetech Pty Ltd
Supplier's website: advancetech.com.au
What should electrical contractors/installers/consumers do?
Affected PV systems should be shut down immediately following the standard shutdown procedure. You should then contact Advancetech Pty Ltd.
For further information
Please direct all enquiries concerning this recall to Advancetech Pty Ltd
Address: 8 Conara Drive, Kundra Park, Qld 4556
Telephone: 1800 356 353 (Free call) or (07) 5445 8444
Email: [email protected]
For more information visit the ACCC's product recalls website.
DKSH Australia – PVPower DC isolator
4 March 2014
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released a product recall notice on 4 March 2014 for the DKSH Australia Pty Ltd "PVPower" branded DC isolator.
Product description: PV array DC isolator
Identifying features: 'PVPower' part number: XPDCISO1000V32A
Defects: The product features an internal fault, where a high resistant connection may form.
Hazards: There is a risk that the DC isolator may overheat and, in some cases, cause fire.
Dates available for sale: 1 August 2012 - 30 August 2013
Where the product was sold: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia
Traders who sold this product: Sold through electrical wholesalers or direct to solar contractors and installers.
Supplier: DKSH Australia Pty Ltd
Supplier's website: http://www.dksh.com.au
What should electrical contractors/installers/consumers do?
The solar PV system should be shut down following the appropriate shutdown procedure. This information is normally found either in the customer documentation or on a label near the inverter. If you are unsure of the shutdown procedure, contact your solar retailer as soon as possible. The DC isolators are required to be replaced. For a replacement program contact DKSH by phoning 1800 006 137 (during business hours), visiting http://www.dksh.com.au/recall or emailing [email protected]
What should wholesalers/resellers do?
Cease supplying 'PVPower' DC isolators and arrange returns by contacting 1800 006 137 or emailing [email protected]. Visit http://www.dksh.com.au/recall for further details.
Further information on the Product Safety Recalls Australia website.
NHP - two models of DC isolating switches
19 February 2014
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released a product recall notice on 19 February 2014 for two models of NHP DC solar isolating switches.
Product description: NHP-KDA-432 and KDM-432 metal and plastic versions sold at electrical wholesalers
Identifying features: NHP DC Solar Isolator Switches with date codes from x0113 to x3813 (x can be any number between 1 and 5) have been recalled.
Note that the last four digits are critical to identify the affected product. Switches with date codes x3913 and above are not affected. These date codes are only labelled internally and should only be accessed by an authorised electrical contractor.
Defects: The switch may still be 'ON' even when the handle is indicating 'OFF'.
Hazards: There is a risk of electric shock to the electrical contractor during maintenance and installation.
Dates available for sale: 11 July 2013 - 11 February 2014
Where the product was sold: Nationally
Traders who sold this product: Electrical wholesalers, as well as direct sales from NHP sales offices
Supplier: NHP Electrical Engineering Product Pty Ltd
Supplier's website: http://nhp.com.au
What should consumers do?
Electrical contractors/installers: Defective switches are required to be replaced. For further details contact NHP Electrical Engineering Products Pty Ltd by phoning (03) 9368 4088 (during business hours) or visit www.nhp.com.au/recall
Re-sellers: Cease supplying switches with affected date codes and arrange returns by contacting (03) 9368 4088 or email [email protected]. Visit www.nhp.com.au/recall for further details.
More information on the Product Safety Recalls Australia website.
