Crossy

Yeah, a sensible sparks would disconnect at the outgoing side of the meter where the cables are both black. And, I see you have that rare animal, seals on your meter ????

Yeah, just to confuse there are off-grid hybrids (with separate mains in and out connections) which can actually export via the mains in connection. They are sometimes referred to as on/off-grid hybrids, but that term is also used for what are really plain off-grid hybrids. It's a nightmare of terms and marketing I'm afraid. You have to read the specs very carefully to see what you are really buying.

Ouch. Did your man disconnect at the meter when he did the work? If so it's sooooo easy to get the polarity swapped putting back the two black wires (I've put white tape on the neutral at the meter, just in case). That would also explain the LEDs glowing.

It's a hybrid, so it has a grid connection, you need to read the pinned thread on inverter types ???? Calling it an "off-grid hybrid" is counter intuitive I know, it's really an off-grid with a battery charger (most are a little smarter than that but generally).

To keep a minimum charge level for your essentials, possibly to charge at night on cheap ToU energy to use during the day and supplement your solar. Most of us don't, but it's there as part of the inverter anyway.

Yes. Yes, but it does depend upon your inverter. If you don't want to split your circuits you can either, not bother using the essential output (and have the lights out when the mains is off) or get an off-grid hybrid with sufficient oomph to supply your whole house and forgo exporting. Note:- There are off-grid hybrids that can export, but they do seem to be generally weak in this area.

In that case there was no need to remove it, putting it back would be advisable, but do check your polarity first, just in case.

Exceed the available power from your inverter and it will should protect itself by turning everything off. Of course a really cheap unit may just release the Magic Smoke ????

You might have missed an important dotted line ???? Inside the line are the major components that make up an "on-grid hybrid" inverter. They are all in the one box which some call an AIO (All in One). They could just as easily be separate boxes. The MPPT charge controller is a flavour of switch-mode power supply which converts the high voltage / low current output of the panels into a low voltage / high current suitable for charging the batteries. It also has some smarts (the Maximum Power Point Tracking) which adapts it's behaviour to get the maximum energy from your panels as the lighting varies during the day. The mains-charger is there to charge the batteries from the mains should you (or your programmed behaviour) desire. Maybe you have a time-of-use meter and want to save some cheap energy at night. The "inverter" converts DC from the panels and battery into AC for the house. In this case it's normally running grid-tie but if the mains goes out the output is directed to the "essential" supply to keep your lights etc. operating.

Warning Will Robinson, warning!! https://futurism.com/19606

I've changed them over in the past, no real problems. It's usually pretty obvious how it comes apart, beware of "things that go ping"!

Yeah, borrowed neutrals are a major problem here ???? Anyway, where was your N-E bond before the incomer was replaced? If it was in the correct location (before the incoming breaker) you should be just fine to leave in place and your sparks is mistaken. Your LEDs glowing when "off" is a bit worrying, can you verify that your incoming polarity is correct? Also check the voltage between neutral and earth of your now TT system. Maybe post a photo of your board with the lid off, a picture is worth many words.

Horses for courses. I should add micros to my "Inverter Types" thread.

This explains Madam's "headache" last evening

Legs or chin or ... ???

Even a "small" tactical nuke on London (or even the middle of Dartmoor) would lead to the total annihilation of Russia, there are three nuclear armed countries in NATO each of which has nuke armed subs pointed in their general direction. Even Vlad the Invader isn't that stupid, is he?

Tried it once and didn't like it??

MUST inverters DO do export - but IIRC there's a thread somewhere on problems with the beast, including poor export performance ???? Of course YMMV!

Be very careful with these low-cost hybrids, I'll pretty much guarantee that this unit does NOT do export.

The rates of severance pay in Thailand are well documented, but, assuming this is paid as a lump sum, is it treated as income for tax purposes? https://thailand.acclime.com/guides/severance-pay/

There's a long way to go yet before the locals are inconvenienced!

Do let us know either way if it turns out straight or otherwise ????

I was worried too, not a new article but ... https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/emirates-warns-jobseekers-about-fake-jobs " No money transfers or payment of any kind will be asked to be made by the job applicants, including no advance for travel expenses or travel visa/work permits. The best way to recognise a fraudulent email is by checking the mail id of the sender. Official emails from the Emirates group will always end with @emirates.com."