Will inverters without AFCI be available for sale after December 1st?

As of December 1, 2024, the deadline for adapting the 515 / 23 Ordinance from Inmetro (National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology), which defines new technical requirements for the manufacture and import of photovoltaic inverters in Brazil. One of the most significant changes brought about by the standard is the requirement for such equipment to have the AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter) function. 

Ao Canal Solar, Inmetro stated that, from that date, Only inverters that comply with the Ordinance may be manufactured or imported into Brazil. However, no specific deadlines have been set for the sale of non-AFCI inverters already in stock. This means that, despite no longer being able to manufacture or import, non-AFCI inverters may continue to be sold until the available stock is completely exhausted.

For the photovoltaic sector, the new regulation should boost the modernization of equipment, aligning Brazil with international electrical safety standards.

AFCI requirement sparks race among manufacturers to adapt inverters

Inmetro sanctions and inspections

In response to Canal Solar, Inmetro emphasized that, after the adaptation period provided for in the regulation, companies that manufacture or import irregular products into the Brazilian market will be subject to the penalties of Law 9.933 of 1999: warning, fine, interdiction, seizure, suspension and cancellation of registration.

“Inmetro inspects all regulated products daily, through its delegated bodies present in the 26 states of the federation. When a new change in the regulation comes into effect, inspectors prioritize verifying compliance with this regulation,” the Agency pointed out.

How are distributors preparing?

Given this scenario, Rodrigo Furlan, director of Serrana Solar, highlighted that the company monitors changes in Brazilian legislation to stay up to date with market information. “We have been selling our inventory without AFCI for a few months now. Our plan is to complete all sales by the end of November so that we can sell with AFCI.”

“For example, one of the brands we work with, Solis, we are already selling only with AFCI, and for SAJ and Hypotench, all the material that was shipped from China, and that arrives by the end of November, already comes with AFCI. Therefore, from December 1st, we will easily have all single-phase models complying with the standards of Ordinance 515/2023”, highlighted Furlan.

Arc flash analysis according to IEEE 1584-2018 standard

Levi Santos Cidral Junior, an electrical engineer at WEG, stated that the company has a continuous commitment to providing cutting-edge technology and ensuring the safety and efficiency of its products.

“With the publication of Inmetro Ordinance 515/2023, which complements Ordinance 140/2022 which includes AFCI as a requirement, we affirm that we are fully prepared to meet the new regulatory requirements”. 

According to the engineer, WEG has been offering photovoltaic inverter lines with the AFCI feature integrated as standard for years. “We recognized the importance of this technology for the safety of photovoltaic systems, even before it became mandatory.”

“Now, with the new regulation coming into effect from December 2024, we are proud to report that 100% of our DG (distributed generation) inverters are already equipped with AFCI. This early move that we have been making demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with solutions that meet international safety and quality standards,” he concluded.

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