ASTM E1462-00(2006)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
Standard Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The design of a photovoltaic module or system intended to provide safe conversion of the sun’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. These test methods describe procedures for verifying that the design and construction of the module or system are capable of providing protection from shock through normal installation and use. At no location on the module should this electrical potential be accessible, with the obvious exception of the intended output leads.
These test methods describe procedures for determining the ability of the module to provide protection from electrical hazards.
These procedures may be specified as part of a series of qualification tests involving environmental exposure, mechanical stress, electrical overload, or accelerated life testing.
These procedures are normally intended for use on dry modules; however, the test modules may be either wet or dry, as indicated by the appropriate protocol.
These procedures may be used to verify module assembly on a production line.
Insulation resistance and leakage current are strong functions of module dimensions, ambient relative humidity and absorbed water vapor, and the ground path continuity procedure is strongly affected by the location of contacts and test leads to the module frame and grounding points.
5.6.1 For these reasons, it is the responsibility of the user of these test methods to specify the maximum acceptable leakage current for the dielectric voltage withstand test, and the maximum acceptable resistance for the ground path continuity procedure.
5.6.2 Fifty μA has been commonly used as the maximum acceptable leakage current (see ANSI/UL 1703, Section 26.1), and 0.1 Ω has been commonly used as the maximum acceptable resistance.
Some module designs may not use any external metallic components and thus lack a ground point designated by the module man...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for (1) testing for current leakage between the electrical circuit of a photovoltaic module and its external components while a user-specified voltage is applied and (2) for testing for possible module insulation breakdown (dielectric voltage withstand test).
1.2 A procedure is described for measuring the insulation resistance between the electrical circuit of a photovoltaic module and its external components (insulation resistance test).
1.3 A procedure is provided for verifying that electrical continuity exists between the exposed external conductive surfaces of the module, such as the frame, structural members, or edge closures, and its grounding point (ground path continuity test).
1.4 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels. The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.5 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E1462–00 (Reapproved 2006)
Standard Test Methods for
Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of
Photovoltaic Modules
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1462; 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 ANSI/UL 1703 Standard for Safety for Flat-Plate Photo-
voltaic Modules and Panels
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for (1) testing for
current leakage between the electrical circuit of a photovoltaic
3. Terminology
module and its external components while a user-specified
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
voltage is applied and (2) for testing for possible module
method may be found in Terminologies E772 and E1328.
insulation breakdown (dielectric voltage withstand test).
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2 A procedure is described for measuring the insulation
3.2.1 ground path continuity—the electrical continuity be-
resistance between the electrical circuit of a photovoltaic
tween the external and conductive surfaces of a photovoltaic
moduleanditsexternalcomponents(insulationresistancetest).
module and the intended grounding point of the module.
1.3 A procedure is provided for verifying that electrical
3.2.2 insulation resistance—the electrical resistance of a
continuity exists between the exposed external conductive
photovoltaic module insulation, measured at a specified ap-
surfaces of the module, such as the frame, structural members,
plied voltage between the module internal circuitry and its
or edge closures, and its grounding point (ground path conti-
grounding point or mounting structure.
nuity test).
3.2.3 maximum system voltage—the maximum electrical
1.4 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels.
potential, referenced at the system grounding point, that can be
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
generated by a photovoltaic power system as specified by the
beyond the scope of this test method.
model manufacturer.
1.5 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Summary of Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 Insulation Integrity—Two procedures are provided for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
testing the isolation of the electrically active parts of the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
module from the accessible conductive parts and the exposed
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
nonconductive surfaces. This isolation is necessary to provide
forsafeinsulation,use,andserviceofaphotovoltaicmoduleor
2. Referenced Documents
2 system.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1.1 Dielectric Voltage Withstand Procedure—A ramped
E772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
voltage is applied between the photovoltaic circuit and the
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
accessible parts and surfaces of the module outside of the
Conversion
3 photovoltaic circuit while monitoring the current, or by deter-
2.2 Underwriters Laboratories Standard:
mining whether the leakage current exceeds a predetermined
limit. The module is then inspected for evidence of possible
arcing.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on
4.1.2 Insulation Resistance Procedure—The insulation re-
Solar, Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. sistance is measured between the photovoltaic circuit and the
Current edition approved March 1, 2006. Published March 2006. Originally
accessible parts and surfaces of the module outside of the
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E1462-00. DOI:
photovoltaic circuit, using a high-impedance ohmmeter.
10.1520/E1462-00R06.
4.2 Ground Path Continuity Procedure—This procedure is
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
intended for verification that electrical continuity exists be-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
tween all of the external conductive components and the
the ASTM website.
module grounding point specified by the manufacturer. This is
Underwriters Laboratories Incorporated, Publication Stock, 333 Pfingsten
Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. accomplished by passing a current between the grounding
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1462–00 (2006)
terminal or lead and the conductive part in question and 6.1.3 The power supply must be capable, as a minimum, of
calculating the resistance between these two points. detecting a leakage current of 1 µA.
6.1.4 Thepowersupplymay,asanoption,includealeakage
5. Significance and Use current limit set-point that will shut down the power supply
when the leakage current exceeds the set-point. Audible or
5.1 The design of a photovoltaic module or system intended
visual alarms which indicate that the leakage current has
to provide safe conversion of the sun’s radiant energy into
exceeded the set-point are also acceptable.
useful electricity must take into consideration the possibility of
6.2 Ground Path Continuity Tester, for measuring the resis-
hazard should the user come into contact with the electrical
tance between any accessible conductive frame or support
potential of the module. These test methods describe proce-
element and the module grounding point, with a minimum
dures for verifying that the design and construction of the
resolution of 0.01 V.
module or system are capable of providing protection from
6.2.1 The tester must be capable of passing a current of
shock through normal installation and use. At no location on
twice the module short-circuit current through the module
the module should this electrical potential be accessible, with
ground path being tested.
the obvious exception of the intended output leads.
6.2.2 The tester must be able to limit the power applied to a
5.2 These test methods describe procedures for determining
module ground path to 500 W.
the ability of the module to provide protection from electrical
6.3 Ohmmeter—A high-impedance ohmmeter, or similar
hazards.
device, capable of measuring a minimum of 1000 MV, and can
5.3 These procedures may be specified as part of a series of
provide a voltage suitable for measuring high-resistances.
qualification tests involving environmental exposure, mechani-
6.4 Metallic Contact(s), aluminum or other metallic foil, or
cal stress, electrical overload, or accelerated life testing.
a rigid metallic plate, placed on the surfaces of modules
5.4 These procedures are normally intended for use on dry
lacking a metallic frame. The metallic contact(s) function as a
modules; however, the test modules may be either wet or dry,
substitute for a metallic frame.
as indicated by the appropriate protocol.
6.5 Test Stand, for holding modules during testing.
5.5 These procedures may be used to verify module assem-
bly on a production line.
7. Procedures
5.6 Insulation resistance and leakage current are strong
7.1 Procedure A—Insulation Integrity, Dielectric Voltage
functionsofmoduledimensions,ambientrelativehumidityand
Withstand:
absorbed water vapor, and the ground path continuity proce-
7.1.1 Mount the module to be tested on the test stand and
dure is strongly affected by the location of contacts and test
ensure that the module is not illuminated. This may be
leads to the module frame and grounding points.
accomplished by placing it face down on the test stand or by
5.6.1 For these reasons, it is the responsibility of the user of
shading the face of the module with an appropriately sized
these test methods to specify the maximum acceptable leakage
opaque material.
current for the dielectric voltage withstand test, and the
7.1.2 Short the output leads of the module together.
maximum acceptable resistance for the ground path continuity
7.1.3 Ensure that the power supply is turned off before any
procedure.
electrical connections are made.
5.6.2 Fifty µA has been commonly used as the maximum
7.1.4 Connect the high potential output of the power supply
acce
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