Am I going daft, watched a video, using auto transformer, and it makes no sense to me?

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I know our power supply is 230 volts +10% -6%, so the supply is 216.2 to 253 volts. If the volts are higher or lower, then our solar panels, EV charging points, etc, should auto disconnect, this is for safety. I can't see how we are permitted to lift or drop the volts using an auto transformer to kid the solar, EV or battery charging that the supply has not gone out of spec.
This seems totally out of order to me. Other users on the supply will either be getting over or under voltage due to the auto transformer. Using the voltage optimiser to correct the voltage to current-using equipment I can understand, although I would not call what he fitted a voltage optimiser, it is a simple auto-transformer, the voltage optimiser would auto change tappings. The device did not auto change, but simply lifted the supply voltage to over the permitted 253 volts for all other users.

G99 approval I assume says we have looked at the system you're going to install, and are satisfied it will not cause the lines to be overloaded or the voltage to go out of specification. And since the solar without the auto transformer will not cause the voltage to go out of specification as it will auto close down, then OK go ahead. I am sure it does not say, we will import what ever you can produce? Or does it? As I try reading it says
Here are the main options you have if your G99 gets rejected:

  1. Pay the DNO for grid upgrades
  2. Limit your inverter at 3.68kW
  3. Don’t connect to the grid
  4. Apply for a G99 again at a later date
So one would assume the reverse is also true, if not rejected you can export over 3.68kW, and you don't need to pay for the upgrade to the system, I would assume the upgrade would be that transformer will include some auto tapping so it can adjust tapping for import and export situations.

But that does not mean the user can fit an auto adjusting transformer does it?

I have re-watched and it seems the solar panels were going over voltage
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so there most have been a fault with the inverter. I wonder what he measured before he started, at 230 volts at the transformer to stay below 253 volts at the property, with 17 kW or 74 amps, the line - neutral loop impedance must be under 0.31Ω. If set to 240 volts, then 0.18Ω, so before installing such a massive solar array, one would look at the no load volts, and the loop impedance.

I would have thought if the loop impedance was above 0.20Ω then the job is a non starter. Even with the best auto stepping transformer more than 0.20Ω must be non starter.

Depending on cable runs, one must insure the solar auto disconnects before the PEN failure disconnects, and when producing so much power, one has to ask is a PME supply with overhead cables really the right option? Go to TT and no need for PEN failure device.
 
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Its entertainment as much as instruction.
You're likely correct, he is on the maximum allowed with single phase, so he must have known it was on the edge. So 148 amps differential, and this needs to be within 36.8 volts, so line - neutral loop impedance needs to be better than 0.25Ω, and that's with the no load voltage mid-range, so 234.6 volts. With cable length to transformer, and other homes off the same supply, he must have known it was going to produce problems. Likely hoped the supplier would up-grade for free, but with that video, if the supplier sees it, more likely they will disconnect until solar panel inverters are set up correctly so can't cause over-voltage.
 
But that does not mean the user can fit an auto adjusting transformer does it?
They cannot.

Years ago there were various bandwagon companies installing such things and calling them 'solar optimisers' and other such nonsense. Mainly so they could sell £100s of additional equipment to the end user and crank up their profits.

Today the use of such things is specifically prohibited in both G98 and G99.
 
I had a feeling it would not be permitted. I can understand why someone may break the rules, but to tell everyone on YouTube what you have done is unbelievable. I would not tell a soul if I did that, can't believe he has told everyone. I found another video
where he is staging off someone who has done something far less naughty things to what he did.
 
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