# Is my rooftop DC isolator a fire risk? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) 4. Is my rooftop DC isolator a fire risk? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [Is my rooftop DC isolator a fire risk?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-dc-isolator-recall-check/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) - [What smoke alarms does Queensland require?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/queensland-smoke-alarm-requirements/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) Some solar DC isolators have been subject to safety notices; do not touch yours, and check the make against the regulator's list. By Casey Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. What is a DC isolator? 2. Why are some isolators a concern? 3. How can I check whether mine is affected? 4. How to check whether yours is affected 5. What happens during an inspection? 6. Should I be worried? 7. What if mine is not on the list? 8. Frequently asked questions If you see smoke, flames, sparks or a burning smell at your solar equipment, leave the building and call 000. Otherwise, do not touch the isolator or go on the roof. Some DC isolators have been subject to safety notices, so check your make and model against the regulator's list and book a licensed installer. Call 000 and stay away if you see Smoke, flames, sparks, melted or discoloured plastic, or a burning smell from the roof, the inverter or the switchboard. Leave the building, keep children and pets with you, and do not touch anything. Never climb onto the roof to look. ## What is a DC isolator? A DC isolator is a switch in a solar system on the direct current side, between the panels and the inverter. It is designed to let a licensed person disconnect that side for maintenance and in emergencies. Some systems have one near the panels and another at the inverter. Panels keep producing power whenever light reaches them, so the cabling and the isolator can be live in daylight. That is why this part of the system is for a licensed person only. ## Why are some isolators a concern? The Electrical Safety Office Queensland publishes product safety notices and recalls. Its [electrical product recalls page](https://electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/electrical-equipment/electrical-product-recalls) lists DC isolators among the equipment covered by prohibition notices. Some installer blogs also describe older plastic isolators as a cause of fires. We have not confirmed exactly which isolators are affected, so we won't guess. The notice names the makes and models it covers. Please read it, or ask your installer to, rather than relying on a general claim. ## How can I check whether mine is affected? You do not need to go near it. Your installation invoice, system design documents or the compliance paperwork from your installer should list the brand and model of the isolator. Compare that with the notice on the regulator's page. If the paperwork does not say, your installer can find out. ## How to check whether yours is affected 1. Find your paperwork — Look for your installation invoice, system design and any certificate from the installer. Note the isolator brand and model if it is listed. 2. Compare with the regulator — Read the Electrical Safety Office Queensland notice and see whether your make and model is mentioned. 3. Contact your installer — Tell them what you found and ask whether your isolator is affected. If you can't find the details, ask them to identify it. 4. Book an inspection if affected or unsure — A licensed installer can inspect the isolator and replace it if needed. Do not go on the roof or touch it yourself. ## What happens during an inspection? A licensed installer or electrician will identify the isolator, check its condition and tell you whether it has to be replaced. If it does, they will carry out the work and should give you paperwork afterwards. ## Should I be worried? Most households with solar do not have a problem, but this is one of those checks worth doing. Claims that one component is the single biggest cause of solar fires have not been verified, so avoid anyone using that kind of scare language. A calm check of the paperwork and a licensed inspection is the sensible response. ## What if mine is not on the list? Then there is nothing in that notice for you to act on. It is still sensible to have your solar system inspected at sensible intervals by a licensed installer, particularly if it is old, was installed by someone you can no longer reach, or has shown error messages. Keep the inspection paperwork with your other solar records. ## Frequently asked questions - It is a switch on the direct current side of a solar system, between the panels and the inverter. Only a licensed person should operate it. - No. Do not go on the roof. Use your installation paperwork, or ask your installer to identify the brand and model. - The Electrical Safety Office Queensland publishes product notices on its electrical product recalls page. Read the notice or ask your installer to. - A licensed electrician or solar installer. It is electrical work and should not be done by the homeowner. - We have not been able to verify that. Check the regulator's notice and ask a licensed installer to inspect yours. [Learn about Solar Power](https://arlite.co/services/solar-power/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) - [Clean Energy Council](https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [SolarHow do I turn off a solar inverter safely?Panels make power whenever light hits them, so shutdown should be done by your installer or a licensed electrician, not by guesswork.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [SolarWhy is my solar inverter showing a red light or error?A red light or error means the inverter has detected a condition; note the code and call a licensed installer, and do not open the unit.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-inverter-red-light-fault/) - [SolarShould I turn off my solar before a cyclone, flood or storm?Energex has published shutdown guidance for cyclones; follow it with your installer's advice, never go on the roof, and get storm damage inspected.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/shut-down-solar-before-storm/) - [SolarAre home batteries safe, and can I put one in the garage?Home batteries installed to the standard by an accredited installer are designed to be safe, but where one can go depends on its type and the rules.](https://arlite.co/support/solar/home-battery-safety-garage/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. What is a DC isolator? 2. Why are some isolators a concern? 3. How can I check whether mine is affected? 4. How to check whether yours is affected 5. What happens during an inspection? 6. Should I be worried? 7. What if mine is not on the list? 8. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-dc-isolator-recall-check/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).