ASTM E1802-12(2018)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Wet Insulation Integrity Testing of Photovoltaic Modules
Standard Test Methods for Wet Insulation Integrity Testing of Photovoltaic Modules
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The design of a photovoltaic module or system intended to provide safe conversion of the sun's radiant energy into useful electricity must take into consideration the possibility of hazard should the user come into contact with the electrical potential of the module or system. In addition, the insulation system provides a barrier to electrochemical corrosion, and insulation flaws can result in increased corrosion and reliability problems. These test methods describe procedures for verifying that the design and construction of the module provides adequate electrical isolation through normal installation and use. At no location on the module should the PV generated electrical potential be accessible, with the obvious exception of the output leads. This isolation is necessary to provide for safe and reliable installation, use, and service of the photovoltaic system.
4.2 This test method describes a procedure for determining the ability of the module to provide protection from electrical hazards. Its primary use is to find insulation flaws that could be dangerous to persons who may come into contact with the module, especially when modules are wet. For example, these flaws could be small holes in the encapsulation that allow hazardous voltages to be accessible on the outside surface of a module after a period of high humidity.
4.3 Insulation flaws in a module may only become detectable after the module has been wet for a certain period of time. For this reason, these procedures specify a minimum time a module must be immersed prior to the insulation integrity measurements.
4.4 Electrical junction boxes attached to modules are often designed to allow liquid water, accumulated from condensed water vapor, to drain. Such drain paths are usually designed to permit water to exit, but not to allow impinging water from rain or water sprinklers to enter. It is important that all surfaces of junction boxes be thoroughly wetted by spraying during the tests to enable t...
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 E1462, 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 standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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Designation: E1802 − 12 (Reapproved 2018) An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
Wet Insulation Integrity Testing of Photovoltaic Modules
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1802; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 These test methods provide procedures to determine the 2.1 ASTM Standards:
insulation resistance of a photovoltaic (PV) module, i.e. the E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
electrical resistance between the module’s internal electrical E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
components and its exposed, electrically conductive, non- Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
current carrying parts and surfaces.
3. Terminology
1.2 The insulation integrity procedures are a combination of
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
wet insulation resistance and wet dielectric voltage withstand
method may be found in Terminology E772.
test procedures.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 These procedures are similar to and reference the
3.2.1 insulation resistance—the electrical resistance of a
insulation integrity test procedures described in Test Methods
photovoltaic module’s insulation, measured between the pho-
E1462, with the difference being that the photovoltaic module
tovoltaic circuit and exposed, electrically conductive non-
under test is immersed in a wetting solution during the
current-carrying parts and surfaces of the module.
procedures.
4. Significance and Use
1.4 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels.
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
4.1 The design of a photovoltaic module or system intended
beyond the scope of these test methods.
to provide safe conversion of the sun’s radiant energy into
useful electricity must take into consideration the possibility of
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
hazard should the user come into contact with the electrical
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
potential of the module or system. In addition, the insulation
standard.
system provides a barrier to electrochemical corrosion, and
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
insulation flaws can result in increased corrosion and reliability
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
problems. These test methods describe procedures for verify-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ing that the design and construction of the module provides
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
adequate electrical isolation through normal installation and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
use. At no location on the module should the PV generated
For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.
electrical potential be accessible, with the obvious exception of
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
the output leads. This isolation is necessary to provide for safe
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
and reliable installation, use, and service of the photovoltaic
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
system.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4.2 This test method describes a procedure for determining
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. the ability of the module to provide protection from electrical
hazards. Its primary use is to find insulation flaws that could be
dangerous to persons who may come into contact with the
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on
Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and are the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2018. Published May 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E1802 – 12. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1802-12R18. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1802 − 12 (2018)
module, especially when modules are wet. For example, these 7. Procedure
flaws could be small holes in the encapsulation that allow
7.1 Assemble the required equipment and prepare the wet-
hazardous voltages to be accessible on the outside surface of a
ting solution.
module after a period of high humidity.
7.1.1 If both the dielectric voltage withstand and insulation
4.3 Insulation flaws in a module may only become detect-
resistance procedures are to be performed, the tests may be
able after the module has been wet for a certain period of time.
performed sequentially during a single immersion if the
For this reason, these procedures specify a minimum time a
minimum and maximum soak time requirement of 7.2.9 is met.
module must be immersed prior to the insulation integrity
7.2 Dielectric Voltage Withstand Procedure:
measurements.
7.2.1 Unless already provided, connect output leads to the
4.4 Electrical junction boxes attached to modules are often
module in accordance with the wiring method specified by the
designed to allow liquid water, accumulated from condensed
module manufacturer. If more than one method is specified, use
water vapor, to drain. Such drain paths are usually designed to
the method least likely to restrict water entrance. Seal any
permit water to exit, but not to allow impinging water from rain
threaded openings intended to terminate electrical conduit,
or water sprinklers to enter. It is important that all surfaces of
unless the threaded openings are selected as the most likely to
junction boxes be thoroughly wetted by spraying during the
allow entrance of water.
tests to enable these protective drain features to be properly
7.2.2 Short the output leads of the test module.
tested. Therefore, drain holes should not be plugged or other-
wise protected. 7.2.3 Place the test module face down in the immersion tray,
with the output lea
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1802 − 12 E1802 − 12 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Methods for
Wet Insulation Integrity Testing of Photovoltaic Modules
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1802; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. 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 E1462, 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 standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test method may be found in Terminology E772.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 insulation resistance—the electrical resistance of a photovoltaic module’s insulation, measured between the photovoltaic
circuit and exposed, electrically conductive non-current-carrying parts and surfaces of the module.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The design of a photovoltaic module or system intended to provide safe conversion of the sun’s radiant energy into useful
electricity must take into consideration the possibility of hazard should the user come into contact with the electrical potential of
the module or system. In addition, the insulation system provides a barrier to electrochemical corrosion, and insulation flaws can
result in increased corrosion and reliability problems. These test methods describe procedures for verifying that the design and
construction of the module provides adequate electrical isolation through normal installation and use. At no location on the module
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2012May 1, 2018. Published December 2012May 2018. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20072012 as
E1802 – 07.E1802 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/E1802-12.10.1520/E1802-12R18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1802 − 12 (2018)
should the PV generated electrical potential be accessible, with the obvious exception of the output leads. This isolation is
necessary to provide for safe and reliable installation, use, and service of the photovoltaic system.
4.2 This test method describes a procedure for determining the ability of the module to provide protection from electrical
hazards. Its primary use is to find insulation flaws that could be dangerous to persons who may come into contact with the module,
especially when modules are wet. For example, these flaws could be small holes in the encapsulation that allow hazardous voltages
to be accessible on the outside surface of a module after a period of high humidity.
4.3 Insulation flaws in a module may only become detectable after the module has been wet for a certain period of time. For
this reason, these procedures specify a minimum time a module must be immersed prior to the insulation integrity measurements.
4.4 Electrical junction boxes attached to modules are often designed to allow liquid water, accumulated from condensed water
vapor, to drain. Such drain paths are usually designed to permit water to exit, but not to allow impinging water from rain or water
sprinklers to enter. It is important that all surfaces of junction boxes be thoroughly wetted by spraying during the tests to enable
these protective drain features to be properly tested. Therefore, drain holes should not be plugged or otherwise protected.
4.5 These procedures may be specified as part of a series of qualification tests involving performance measurements and
demonstration of functional requirements. Because insulation leakage resistance and insulation current leakage are strong functions
of module dimensions, ambient relative humidity, absorbed water vapor and other factors, it is the responsibility of the user of these
test methods to specify the minimum acceptable leakage resistance.
5. Apparatus
5.1 In addition to the apparatus required for the insulation integrity measurements of Test Methods E1462, the following
apparatus is required:
5.1.1 Wetting Solution—A solution of tap water and a wetting agent , with a surface tension of 0.03 N/m or less at 22
...
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