Standard Test Methods for Wet Insulation Integrity Testing of Photovoltaic Modules

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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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ASTM E1802-96 - Standard Test Methods for Wet Insulation Integrity Testing of Photovoltaic Modules
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 1802 – 96 An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
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 outside environment, especially when modules are wet. The
purpose of these procedures is to detect flaws in module
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for verifying the
insulation that may only be evident when a module is wet. For
electrical insulation integrity of a photovoltaic module by
example, these flaws could be small holes in the encapsulation
detecting insulation flaws.
that allow hazardous voltages to be accessible on the outside
1.2 The insulation integrity procedures are a combination of
surface of a module after a period of high humidity.
wet insulation resistance and wet current leakage (high-
4.2 Insulation flaws in a module may only become detect-
potential) test procedures.
able after the module has been immersed for a certain time. For
1.3 These procedures are similar to and reference the
this reason, these procedures specify a minimum amount of
insulation integrity test procedures described in Test Methods
time that a module must be immersed prior to the insulation
E 1462, with the difference being that the photovoltaic module
integrity measurements.
under test is immersed in a wetting solution during the
4.3 Electrical junction boxes attached to modules are often
procedures.
designed to allow liquid water, accumulated from condensed
1.4 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels.
water vapor, to drain. Such drain paths are usually designed to
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
permit water to exit, but not to allow impinging water from rain
beyond the scope of these test methods.
or water sprinklers to enter. It is important that all unsubmerged
1.5 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
surfaces of junction boxes be thoroughly wetted by spraying
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
during the tests to enable these protective drain features to be
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
properly tested. Therefore, drain holes should not be plugged
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
or otherwise protected.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
5. Apparatus
precautionary statements, see Section 6.
5.1 In addition to the apparatus required for the insulation
2. Referenced Documents integrity measurements of Test Methods E 1462, the following
apparatus is required.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1.1 Wetting Solution— A surfactant solution with a maxi-
E 772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
mum resistivity of 35 Vm and a maximum surface tension of
E 1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
−1
2 0.03 Nm . The temperature of the solution must be 22 6 3°C.
Conversion
5.1.2 Immersion Tray— A tray containing the wetting solu-
E 1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
2 tion (see 5.1.1) into which the test module is immersed during
Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
the integrity measurements. The tray must be deep enough to
3. Terminology completely immerse the laminate portion of the module in the
wetting solution. This requirement does not imply that any
3.1 Definitions— Definitions of terms used in these test
electrical junction boxes attached to the module must also be
methods may be found in Terminology E 772 and Terminology
immersed.
E 1328.
6. Hazards
4. Significance and Use
6.1 The electrical measurements used to determine the
4.1 Safe use of photovoltaic modules for power generation
insulation integrity require applying a high voltage between a
require the electrical isolation of the interior circuitry from the
test module and a wetting solution (see 5.1.1). Therefore, in
addition to the high voltage hazard, additional hazards may
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-44 on
exist due to unforeseen conductive paths between the high-
Solar, Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources and are the direct
voltage source and operators of the test through any spilled
responsibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
wetting solution. It is recommended that testing personnel be
Current edition approved May 10, 1996. Published June 1996.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02. isolated from the testing area while the high voltage is
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E 1802
activated. Use of an interlocked cage to isolate the testing area designated by the manufacturer, and the immersion tray is
is recommended. nonmetal
...

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