These devices ensure inverters are safe should voltage spikes occur.

When installing entry-level and backup PV systems, it is always a good idea to select trusted products that you know are reliable. For example, the KODAK Solar Products OG models are some of the most well-known inverters on the market, backed by the brands’ industry-leading reputation.

However, no matter how good the system components you use are, you always need to ensure sufficient protection against voltage spikes, which can occur when power is restored after a bout of load shedding — damaging PV products.

Whilst an AC surge protector would typically be installed to help reduce the chance of spikes from causing harm, these types of products do not guarantee that the inverter’s input voltage will stay at a safe amount (below 275V). That is because breakers and fuses will allow for voltage sparks to pass through occasionally. On the other hand, electronic voltage monitoring switches hold voltages until they are stable enough to pass through the system — even in failure mode.

So, to ensure safe operation whatever state the national grid is in, installers must use products like the automatic voltage switchers (AVS) offered by Sollatek.

With two models available, the AVS-1P-30-MICRO for single-phase connections and the AVS-3P-0-MICRO for three-phase Installations, Sollatek switches use a microprocessor to protect inverters from harmful grid conditions such as overvoltage, undervoltage and, of course, voltage spikes.

These devices are the recommended choice for KODAK Solar Products inverters, and not using one in your installation will affect your warranty.