Standard Test Methods for Wet Insulation Integrity Testing of Photovoltaic Modules

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods provide procedures to determine the insulation resistance of a photovoltaic (PV) module, i.e. the electrical resistance between the module's internal electrical components and its exposed, electrically conductive, non-current carrying parts and surfaces.
1.2 The insulation integrity procedures are a combination of wet insulation resistance and wet dielectric voltage withstand test procedures.
1.3 These procedures are similar to and reference the insulation integrity test procedures described in Test Methods E 1462, with the difference being that the photovoltaic module under test is immersed in a wetting solution during the procedures.
1.4 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels. The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is beyond the scope of these test methods.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.

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09-Jun-2001
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ASTM E1802-01 - Standard Test Methods for Wet Insulation Integrity Testing of Photovoltaic Modules
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Designation:E1802–01
Standard Test Methods for
1
Wet Insulation Integrity Testing of Photovoltaic Modules
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1802; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 These test methods provide procedures to determine the 3.1 Definitions— Definitions of terms used in this test
insulation resistance of a photovoltaic (PV) module, i.e. the method may be found in Terminology E 772 and Terminology
electrical resistance between the module’s internal electrical E 1328.
components and its exposed, electrically conductive, non- 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
current carrying parts and surfaces. 3.2.1 insulation resistance—the electrical resistance of a
1.2 The insulation integrity procedures are a combination of photovoltaic module’s insulation, measured between the pho-
wet insulation resistance and wet dielectric voltage withstand tovoltaic circuit and exposed, electrically conductive non-
test procedures. current-carrying parts and surfaces of the module.
1.3 These procedures are similar to and reference the
4. Significance and Use
insulation integrity test procedures described in Test Methods
E 1462, with the difference being that the photovoltaic module 4.1 The design of a photovoltaic module or system intended
to provide safe conversion of the sun’s radiant energy into
under test is immersed in a wetting solution during the
procedures. useful electricity must take into consideration the possibility of
hazard should the user come into contact with the electrical
1.4 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels.
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is potential of the module or system. In addition, the insulation
system provides a barrier to electrochemical corrosion, and
beyond the scope of these test methods.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the insulation flaws can result in increased corrosion and reliability
problems. These test methods describe procedures for verify-
standard.
1.6 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard. ing that the design and construction of the module provides
adequate electrical isolation through normal installation and
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
use. At no location on the module should the PV generated
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- electrical potential be accessible, with the obvious exception of
the output leads. This isolation is necessary to provide for safe
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific and reliable installation, use, and service of the photovoltaic
system.
precautionary statements, see Section 6.
4.2 This test method describes a procedure for determining
2. Referenced Documents
the ability of the module to provide protection from electrical
2.1 ASTM Standards: hazards. Its primary use is to find insulation flaws that could be
2
E 772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion dangerous to persons who may come into contact with the
E 1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy module, especially when modules are wet. For example, these
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Conversion flaws could be small holes in the encapsulation that allow
E 1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground hazardous voltages to be accessible on the outside surface of a
2
Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules module after a period of high humidity.
4.3 Insulation flaws in a module may only become detect-
able after the module has been wet for a certain period of time.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on
For this reason, these procedures specify a minimum time a
Solar, Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources and are the direct
module must be immersed prior to the insulation integrity
responsibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
Current edition approved June 10, 2001. Published September 2001. Originally measurements.
published as E 1802 – 96. Last previous edition E 1802 – 96.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E1802
4.4 Electrical junction boxes attached to modules are often threaded openings intended to terminate electrical conduit,
designed to allow liquid water, accumulated from
...

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