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ADVICE ON LABELLING

Advice on Labelling for PV and Battery Systems (Version 2 — June 2023)

Practical guidance for installers and designers in Australia & New Zealand — summarising labelling and signage requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and battery systems.

Preface

This guidance summarises the labelling requirements across PV and battery installations to help improve safety, performance and reliability. It is intended to be read alongside the relevant standards, codes and network service provider rules. While every care has been taken to present accurate information, this overview does not replace the full standards and regulatory documents.

Objective:

  • Improve safety, performance and reliability of PV arrays
  • Encourage industry best practice for design and installation

Contents

  • Introduction and scope
  • Equipment marking requirements
  • Application of labelling
  • UV resistance and durability (Appendix A)

1. Introduction and Scope

1.1 Scope

This guidance covers labelling requirements for PV and battery systems in line with the following Australian/New Zealand standards:

  • AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring rules)
  • AS/NZS 4777.1 (Grid connection of energy systems via inverters)
  • AS/NZS 5033 (Installation and safety requirements for PV arrays)
  • AS/NZS 5139 (Safety of battery systems for use with power conversion equipment)

Installations must also comply with relevant state/territory electrical Codes of Practice, Service & Installation Rules (SIRs), and any network service provider (NSP) connection requirements.

2. Equipment Marking Requirements

2.1 General principles

Labels and signs on PV and battery systems must be durable and suitable for the intended location and service life. The following points summarise the common requirements across AS/NZS 5033, 5139 and 4777.1.

  • Durability: Designed for a lifetime greater than or equal to the system service life.
  • Material & fixing: Constructed from appropriate materials and fixed in a durable manner for the location.
  • Language: In English and legible; letter size appropriate for viewing distance.
  • Permanence: Indelible markings — remain legible over time.
  • Visibility: Visible where applicable; some signs may be inside cabinets but must be visible when accessed.
  • UV exposure: Where exposed to direct sunlight, labels must meet UV resistance requirements (see Appendix A).

2.2 Letter sizing rules

General rule: lettering height 5 mm (uppercase) and 4 mm (lowercase) per metre of viewing distance unless otherwise specified. Specific minimum sizes required by standards:

  • “WARNING: HAZARDOUS d.c VOLTAGE” — minimum 10 mm text (AS/NZS 5033 cl. 5.5.1.2)
  • “WARNING: PV STRING DISCONNECTION POINT” — minimum 10 mm text (AS/NZS 5033 cl. 5.5.2.2)
  • Green “PV” reflector sign — at least 100 mm diameter (AS/NZS 5033 cl. 5.4)
  • Green “ES” reflector sign — at least 100 mm diameter (AS/NZS 5139 cl. 7.3)
  • “Danger, Risk of Battery Explosion” — minimum 175 × 175 mm (AS/NZS 5139 cl. 7.8)

2.3 Colours and sign types

As a guide, background and lettering colours should follow these principles:

  • General information: white background with black lettering
  • Essential safety for service personnel: yellow background with black lettering — these labels must also include a warning symbol (AS/NZS 5033)
  • Emergency personnel: red background with white lettering
  • Personal protective equipment: blue background with white lettering (AS/NZS 5139)
  • Special signs described in AS/NZS 5033 and AS/NZS 5139 may use other colours as specified

2.4 Where not to apply signage

Signs should not be:

  • Obscured by cupboards, door positions, shelving or other stored material
  • Placed where they are likely to be blocked when doors are opened or items stored
  • Applied unnecessarily — unused or irrelevant labels can cause confusion

3. Application of Labelling

This covers typical label locations and a broad list of possible labels for grid‑connected PV systems and systems incorporating batteries. Not every installation requires every label — installers must determine which labels are applicable.

Note: Where batteries are present, additional battery-specific labels and signage from AS/NZS 5139 will apply.

4. Appendix A — UV Resistance & Durability

Labels and signs exposed to direct sunlight must be UV resistant. The standards reference testing in IEC 60068-2-5:2018 (open-flame sunshine carbon-arc) and ISO 4892-4. Key points:

  • Test exposure: 720 hours to open-flame sunshine carbon-arc.
  • Samples mounted perpendicular to the light source and not touching each other.
  • Exposure cycle: 102 minutes without water spray, 18 minutes with water spray.
  • Apparatus conditions: spectral irradiance ~0.35 W/m² at 340 nm; black panel temperature 63 ±3 °C; chamber temperature 45 ±3 °C; relative humidity 50 ±5%.
  • Legibility of outdoor markings must not be degraded by UV exposure.
  • Exception: Physically engraved, embossed or etched markings that are inherently durable are not subject to the UV-test requirement.

Practical takeaways for installers and designers

  • Use durable, indelible labels sized and coloured per the standards for their intended viewers (technicians, emergency personnel or general public).
  • Only apply labels that are necessary for the specific installation — avoid overlabelling.
  • Ensure labels exposed to sun are UV-resistant or use engraved/etched markings where appropriate.
  • Cross-check labelling with AS/NZS 3000, 4777.1, 5033 and 5139, and follow any additional NSP or local regulatory requirements.

About Koalabel

Koalabel has supplied labels and safety signage for solar and battery installations across Australia and New Zealand for over 15 years. We design products to meet industry durability and compliance expectations.

Disclaimer: This post summarises key labelling guidance and is not a substitute for consulting the full standards and regulatory documents. Always confirm specific requirements for your project and location.