ASTM E1462-12(2018)
(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
5.1 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. 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.
5.2 These test methods describe procedures for determining the ability of the module to provide protection from electrical hazards.
5.3 These procedures may be specified as part of a series of qualification tests involving environmental exposure, mechanical stress, electrical overload, or accelerated life testing.
5.4 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.
5.5 These procedures may be used to verify module assembly on a production line.
5.6 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.
5.7 Some module designs may not use any external metallic components and thus lack a gro...
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 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.
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.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
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.
Designation: E1462 − 12 (Reapproved 2018) An American National Standard
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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for (1) testing for
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
current leakage between the electrical circuit of a photovoltaic
2.2 Underwriters Laboratories Standard:
module and its external components while a user-specified
ANSI/UL1703 Standard for Safety for Flat-Plate Photovol-
voltage is applied and (2) for testing for possible module
taic Modules and Panels
insulation breakdown (dielectric voltage withstand test).
1.2 A procedure is described for measuring the insulation
3. Terminology
resistance between the electrical circuit of a photovoltaic
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
moduleanditsexternalcomponents(insulationresistancetest).
method may be found in Terminologies E772.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 A procedure is provided for verifying that electrical
3.2.1 ground path continuity, n—the electrical continuity
continuity exists between the exposed external conductive
between the external and conductive surfaces of a photovoltaic
surfaces of the module, such as the frame, structural members,
module and the intended grounding point of the module.
or edge closures, and its grounding point (ground path conti-
3.2.2 insulation resistance, n—the electrical resistance of a
nuity test).
photovoltaic module insulation, measured at a specified ap-
1.4 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels.
plied voltage between the module internal circuitry and its
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
grounding point or mounting structure.
beyond the scope of this test method.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1 Insulation Integrity—Two procedures are provided for
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
testing the isolation of the electrically active parts of the
standard.
module from the accessible conductive parts and the exposed
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
nonconductive surfaces. This isolation is necessary to provide
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
forsafeinsulation,use,andserviceofaphotovoltaicmoduleor
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
system.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 4.1.1 Dielectric Voltage Withstand Procedure—A ramped
voltage is applied between the photovoltaic circuit and the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
accessible parts and surfaces of the module outside of the
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
photovoltaic circuit while monitoring the current, or by deter-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
mining whether the leakage current exceeds a predetermined
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
limit. The module is then inspected for evidence of possible
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
arcing.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1.2 Insulation Resistance Procedure—The insulation re-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
sistance is measured between the photovoltaic circuit and the
1 2
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct respon- contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
sibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2018. Published March 2018. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E1462-12. DOI: Underwriters Laboratories Incorporated, Publication Stock, 333 Pfingsten
10.1520/E1462-12R18. Road, Northbrook, IL 60062.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1462 − 12 (2018)
accessible parts and surfaces of the module outside of the allow transients that may cause the instantaneous voltage to
photovoltaic circuit, using a high-impedance ohmmeter. exceed the specified test voltage; nor may the flow of capaci-
tive current, due to charging, cause the test to indicate an
4.2 Ground Path Continuity Procedure—This procedure is
erroneous leakage current.
intended for verification that electrical continuity exists be-
6.1.1 The power supply must include a means of indicating
tween all of the external conductive components and the
the test voltage that is applied to the module.
module grounding point specified by the manufacturer. This is
6.1.2 The output voltage of the power supply must be
accomplished by passing a current between the grounding
continuously adjustable and may have an automatically con-
terminal or lead and the conductive part in question and
trolled ramp rate.
calculating the resistance between these two points.
6.1.3 The power supply must be capable, as a minimum, of
5. Significance and Use detecting a leakage current of 1 µA.
6.1.4 Thepowersupplymay,asanoption,includealeakage
5.1 The design of a photovoltaic module or system intended
current limit set-point that will shut down the power supply
to provide safe conversion of the sun’s radiant energy into
when the leakage current exceeds the set-point. Audible or
useful electricity must take into consideration the possibility of
visual alarms which indicate that the leakage current has
hazard should the user come into contact with the electrical
exceeded the set-point are also acceptable.
potential of the module. These test methods describe proce-
dures for verifying that the design and construction of the
6.2 Ground Path Continuity Tester, for measuring the resis-
module or system are capable of providing protection from
tance between any accessible conductive frame or support
shock through normal installation and use. At no location on
element and the module grounding point, with a minimum
the module should this electrical potential be accessible, with
resolution of 0.01Ω.
the obvious exception of the intended output leads.
6.2.1 The tester must be capable of passing a current of
twice the module short-circuit current through the module
5.2 These test methods describe procedures for determining
ground path being tested.
the ability of the module to provide protection from electrical
6.2.2 The tester must be able to limit the power applied to a
hazards.
module ground path to 500 W.
5.3 These procedures may be specified as part of a series of
6.3 Ohmmeter—A high-impedance ohmmeter, or similar
qualification tests involving environmental exposure, mechani-
device, capable of measuring a minimum of 1000 MΩ, and can
cal stress, electrical overload, or accelerated life testing.
provide a voltage suitable for measuring high-resistances.
5.4 These procedures are normally intended for use on dry
modules; however, the test modules may be either wet or dry, 6.4 Metallic Contact(s), aluminum or other metallic foil, or
as indicated by the appropriate protocol. a rigid metallic plate, placed on the surfaces of modules
lacking a metallic frame. The metallic contact(s) function as a
5.5 These procedures may be used to verify module assem-
substitute for a metallic frame.
bly on a production line.
6.5 Test Stand, for holding modules during testing.
5.6 Insulation resistance and leakage current are strong
functionsofmoduledimensions,ambientrelativehumidityand
7. Procedures
absorbed water vapor, and the ground path continuity proce-
dure is strongly affected by the location of contacts and test
7.1 Procedure A—Insulation Integrity, Dielectric Voltage
leads to the module frame and grounding points.
Withstand:
5.6.1 For these reasons, it is the responsibility of the user of
7.1.1 Mount the module to be tested on the test stand and
these test methods to specify the maximum acceptable leakage
ensure that the mod
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