Quick answer
Inverters shut down on over-temperature from poor ventilation, on over-load when you draw more than the rating, on low-battery cut-off, and on grid sync errors when utility power returns. The display code tells you which, and it is worth photographing before it clears. Repeated shutdowns usually mean the system was sized for the brochure rather than for the actual load.
Common causes
- Over-temperature from inadequate ventilation or a cramped installation space
- Over-load from drawing more than the inverter's continuous rating
- Low-battery cut-off triggered earlier than expected as the battery ages
- Grid sync error when utility power returns after load shedding
- Surge load from a motor starting, such as a pool pump or aircon compressor
- Undersized inverter for the circuits it was connected to
What you can do now
- 1Photograph the error code on the display before it clears
- 2Check there is clear air space around the inverter and the vents are not dusty
- 3Reduce load and see whether it stays up, which confirms over-load
- 4Note whether it happens when a specific appliance starts
- 5Check whether the shutdown coincides with grid power returning
When to call a professional
Book within the week if it is recurring. Under-specified inverters fail prematurely, and repeated over-temperature or over-load shutdowns are shortening the unit's life every time. An installer will check the error log, verify the connected load against the rating, and confirm the ventilation and essential-loads split are correct — that last one is often the actual problem.
Typical cost in Johannesburg
Diagnostic R750 · Re-sizing varies
Indicative ranges only. We provide written, itemised quotes before any work.
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