1. Photovoltaic Systems IEC 61730-2:2023 RLV Testing Requirements
IEC 61730-2:2023 RLV is an updated version of IEC 61730-2:202. It is a standard released by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) aimed at ensuring the safety performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The second part of this standard details the testing requirements to verify the safety of PV modules under various environmental and operational conditions. This article will provide a detailed overview of the main content and testing methods specified in this standard.
2. Scope of the Standard
- Applicable Objects: This standard applies to all types of photovoltaic modules, including crystalline silicon modules, thin-film modules, and other new types of photovoltaic modules.
- Testing Purpose: By conducting a series of rigorous tests, this standard ensures that PV modules will not experience electrical failures, mechanical failures, or material aging during their designed lifespan, thereby safeguarding user safety.
3. Testing Items
3.1 Electrical Safety Testing
- Insulation Resistance Testing: Measures the insulation resistance of the photovoltaic module under different environmental conditions to ensure good insulation performance even in harsh conditions such as humidity and high temperatures.
- Withstand Voltage Testing: Checks the electrical insulation performance of the photovoltaic module by applying high voltage, preventing breakdown under extreme conditions.
- Ground Continuity Testing: Verifies the continuity of the grounding path of the photovoltaic module, ensuring that current can be effectively diverted in case of a fault, thereby avoiding the risk of electric shock.
- Leakage Current Testing: Measures the leakage current of the photovoltaic module under normal operating conditions to ensure it does not exceed safe limits.
3.2 Mechanical Safety Testing
- Mechanical Load Testing: Simulates the mechanical loads on photovoltaic modules due to wind, snow, and other natural conditions, ensuring structural strength and stability.
- Hail Testing: Tests the impact resistance of photovoltaic modules by simulating hail impacts through the use of a hail simulator.
- Thermal Cycling Testing: Simulates the thermal cycling of photovoltaic modules in environments with significant day-night temperature differences, ensuring that they do not incur damage from temperature changes.
- Dew Freeze Testing: Tests the photovoltaic module under high humidity and low temperatures to ensure that it can operate normally in severe environments.
3.3 Environmental Safety Testing
- Damp Heat Testing: Tests the photovoltaic module under high humidity and high temperature to ensure long-term reliability in tropical climates.
- Salt Mist Testing: Simulates coastal salt mist environments to assess the corrosion resistance of photovoltaic modules.
- UV Testing: Tests the aging resistance of photovoltaic modules by exposing them to ultraviolet light for an extended period.
- Dust Testing: Simulates desert or dust storm conditions to evaluate the dust resistance of photovoltaic modules.
3.4 Functional Safety Testing
- Hot Spot Testing: Checks the safety performance of photovoltaic modules under hot spot conditions by simulating partial shading.
- Bypass Diode Testing: Verifies the operation of bypass diodes in photovoltaic modules under hot spot conditions to prevent overheating.
- Electrical Connection Testing: Inspects the integrity and reliability of both internal and external electrical connections of photovoltaic modules to prevent faults due to poor connections.
- Fire Testing: Validates the fire resistance of photovoltaic modules through combustion tests to ensure they do not exacerbate danger in fire conditions.
4. Testing Methods
4.1 Insulation Resistance Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 85%.
- Testing Steps: Uses a megohmmeter to measure the insulation resistance of the photovoltaic module, recording the results.
- Passing Criteria: The insulation resistance should be greater than 100 MΩ.
4.2 Withstand Voltage Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 85%.
- Testing Steps: The photovoltaic module is placed on a test bench, and a direct voltage of 1500 V is applied for 1 minute. Observations are made for any breakdown.
- Passing Criteria: The module should not experience breakdown or insulation damage.
4.3 Ground Continuity Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 85%.
- Testing Steps: Uses a low-resistance tester to measure the resistance of the ground path on the photovoltaic module, recording the results.
- Passing Criteria: The ground path resistance should be less than 0.1 Ω.
4.4 Leakage Current Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 85%, with the module under normal operating voltage.
- Testing Steps: Uses a leakage current tester to measure the leakage current of the photovoltaic module, recording the results.
- Passing Criteria: The leakage current should be less than 1 mA.
4.5 Mechanical Load Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 50%.
- Testing Steps: The photovoltaic module is secured on a testing platform, and a mechanical load of 2400 Pa is applied for 1 hour. Observations are made for any deformation or damage.
- Passing Criteria: The module should not exhibit significant deformation or damage.
4.6 Hail Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 50%.
- Testing Steps: Uses a hail generator to launch 25 mm diameter hailstones at the photovoltaic module at a speed of 18 m/s, recording damage after impact.
- Passing Criteria: The module should not show cracks or penetrative damage.
4.7 Thermal Cycling Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted over a temperature range of -40°C to 85°C, with each temperature segment lasting 4 hours for a total of 1000 cycles.
- Testing Steps: The photovoltaic module is placed in a thermal cycling chamber and tested according to a specified temperature curve, recording performance variations after each cycle.
- Passing Criteria: The module should continue to function normally after 1000 cycles, with performance degradation not exceeding 5%.
4.8 Dew Freeze Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted over a temperature range of -40°C to 85°C at a relative humidity of 85%, with each temperature segment lasting 4 hours for a total of 1000 cycles.
- Testing Steps: The photovoltaic module is placed in a damp freeze testing chamber and tested according to a specified temperature and humidity curve, recording performance variations after each cycle.
- Passing Criteria: The module should continue to function normally after 1000 cycles, with performance degradation not exceeding 5%.
4.9 Damp Heat Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 85°C and a relative humidity of 85%, lasting for 1000 hours.
- Testing Steps: The photovoltaic module is placed in a damp heat testing chamber, and performance variations during the test period are recorded.
- Passing Criteria: The module should continue to function normally after 1000 hours, with performance degradation not exceeding 5%.
4.10 Salt Mist Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 35°C and relative humidity of 100%, with a salt mist concentration of 5% NaCl lasting for 1000 hours.
- Testing Steps: The photovoltaic module is placed in a salt mist testing chamber, and corrosion conditions during the test period are recorded.
- Passing Criteria: The module should show no significant corrosion or performance degradation after 1000 hours.
4.11 UV Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 50%, with UV intensity at 0.89 W/m², lasting for 1000 hours.
- Testing Steps: The photovoltaic module is placed in a UV testing chamber, recording material aging during the test period.
- Passing Criteria: The module should show no significant material aging or performance degradation after 1000 hours.
4.12 Dust Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and relative humidity of 50%, with a dust concentration of 2 kg/m³ lasting for 1000 hours.
- Testing Steps: The photovoltaic module is placed in a dust testing chamber, recording the dust resistance during the test period.
- Passing Criteria: The module should show no significant accumulation of dust or performance degradation after 1000 hours.
4.13 Hot Spot Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 50%, at the module’s maximum power point.
- Testing Steps: Portions of the solar cells are shaded to simulate hot spot conditions, recording temperature and performance variations.
- Passing Criteria: The module should not show overheating under hot spot conditions, with a temperature rise not exceeding 20°C and no more than 5% performance degradation.
4.14 Bypass Diode Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 50%, at the module’s maximum power point.
- Testing Steps: Portions of the solar cells are shaded to simulate hot spot conditions while checking the operation of the bypass diodes.
- Passing Criteria: Bypass diodes should operate normally under hot spot conditions, preventing module overheating.
4.15 Electrical Connection Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 50%, with the module under normal operating voltage.
- Testing Steps: Inspects the internal and external electrical connections of the photovoltaic module, using a pull test to measure connection point strength, recording the results.
- Passing Criteria: The electrical connections should be secure, with pull test results greater than 10 N.
4.16 Fire Testing
- Testing Conditions: Conducted at an ambient temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 50%.
- Testing Steps: The photovoltaic module is subjected to flame for 10 seconds, observing any combustion.
- Passing Criteria: The module should not exhibit burning or melting.
5. Testing Process
- Preparation: Select testing equipment that meets standard requirements, ensuring testing environments meet specified conditions.
- Sample Preparation: Select representative photovoltaic module samples, ensuring the integrity and consistency of the samples.
- Implementation: Conduct tests sequentially according to the specified testing procedures, recording detailed data for each testing item.
- Data Analysis: Analyze the test data to determine whether the photovoltaic module meets standard requirements.
- Report Writing: Prepare a detailed test report, including testing conditions, steps, results, and conclusions.
6. Conclusion
The IEC 61730-2:2023 RLV standard provides comprehensive testing requirements and methods for the safety performance of photovoltaic modules. By rigorously executing these tests, the safety and reliability of photovoltaic modules under various environmental and operational conditions can be ensured, thereby providing high-quality photovoltaic products for users. The implementation of this standard is significantly important for promoting the healthy development of the photovoltaic industry.
Essential IEC Standards for Photovoltaic Systems: Design, Safety, and Performance Guidelines
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