EN 50438:2007

Requirements for the connection of micro-generators in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks

This European Standard specifies technical requirements for connection and operation of fixed installed micro-generators and their protection devices, irrespective of the micro-generators primary source of energy, in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks, where micro-generation refers to equipment rated up to and including 16 A per phase, single or multi phase 230/400 V or multi phase 230 V (phase-to-phase voltage). This European Standard is intended for installation mainly in the domestic market.

Anforderungen für den Anschluss von Klein-Generatoren an das öffentliche Niederspannungsnetz

Diese Norm spezifiziert die technischen Anforderungen für den Anschluss und den Betrieb von fest installierten und parallel mit öffentlichen Niederspannungs-Verteilungsnetzen betriebenen Kleinerzeugern und ihrer Schutzeinrichtungen, unabhängig von der verwendeten Primärenergiequelle. Kleinerzeugung umfasst Geräte mit Bemessungsströmen bis maximal 16 A pro Phase und Bemessungsspannungen ein- oder mehrphasig 230/400 V oder mehrphasig 230 V (Außenleiterspannung). Die Norm bezieht sich insbesondere auf Installationen im Hausbereich.

Prescriptions pour le raccordement de micro-générateurs en parallèle avec les réseaux publics de distribution à basse tension

Cette Norme Européenne spécifie les exigences techniques pour le raccordement et le fonctionnement des micro-générateurs installés à poste fixe et leurs dispositifs de protection, indépendamment de la source d’énergie primaire des micro-générateurs, en parallèle avec les réseaux publics de distribution à basse tension, où micro-génération fait référence à des équipements dimensionnés jusqu’à et incluant 16 A par phase, monophasés ou polyphasés 230/400 V ou polyphasés 230 V (tension entre phases). Cette Norme Européenne est destinée aux installations principalement du marché domestique.

Zahteve za vzporedno vezavo mikro generatorjev z javnim nizkonapetostnim razdelilnim omrežjem

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 20-Dec-2007
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Sep-2010
• ICS: 29.160.20 - Generators
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 8X - System aspects of electrical energy supply
• Current Stage: 9960 - Withdrawal effective - Withdrawal
• Completion Date: 14-Nov-2016
• Mandate: M/490 - Standardisation mandate to the European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs) to support European Smart Grid deployment
• Ref Project: SIST EN 50438:2008 - Requirements for the connection of micro-generators in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks

Relations

• Replaced By: EN 50438:2013 - Requirements for micro-generating plants to be connected in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks
• Effective Date: 07-Jun-2022
• Revised: EN 50438:2007/IS1:2015 - Requirements for the connection of micro-generators in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks
• Effective Date: 07-Jun-2022
• Revised: EN 50438:2013 - Requirements for micro-generating plants to be connected in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks
• Effective Date: 06-May-2014

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2008
Zahteve za vzporedno vezavo mikro generatorjev z javnim nizkonapetostnim
razdelilnim omrežjem
Requirements for the connection of micro-generators in parallel with public low-voltage
distribution networks
Anforderungen für den Anschluss von Kleinst-Generatoren an das öffentliche
Niederspannungsnetz
Prescriptions pour le raccordement de micro-générateurs en parallèle avec les réseaux
publics de distribution à basse tension
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50438:2007
ICS:
29.160.20 Generatorji Generators
29.240.01 2PUHåMD]DSUHQRVLQ Power transmission and
GLVWULEXFLMRHOHNWULþQHHQHUJLMH distribution networks in
QDVSORãQR general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 50438
NORME EUROPÉENNE
December 2007
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 29.160.20
English version
Requirements for the connection of micro-generators
in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks

Prescriptions pour le raccordement  Anforderungen für den Anschluss von
de micro-générateurs en parallèle Kleinst-Generatoren an das öffentliche
avec les réseaux publics de distribution Niederspannungsnetz
à basse tension
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2007-09-11. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2007 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 50438:2007 E
Foreword
This European Standard was prepared by WG 2 of the Technical Committee CENELEC TC 8X, System
aspects for electrical energy supply.
The text of the draft was submitted to the formal vote and was approved by CENELEC as EN 50438
on 2007-09-11.
This European Standard supersedes CWA 14642:2003.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2008-10-01
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2010-10-01
__________
- 3 - EN 50438:2007
Contents
1 Scope. 5
2 Normative references. 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Connection requirements. 9
4.1 The electrical installation. 9
4.1.1 Installation instructions. 9
4.1.2 Over-current protection. 9
4.1.3 Earthing. 9
4.2 Interface protection .10
4.2.1 General .10
4.2.2 Interface protection settings.11
4.2.3 Loss of Mains (LoM) protection.11
4.2.4 Automatic reconnection after a network outage.12
4.2.5 Synchronisation.12
5 Power quality.12
5.1 Electromagnetic emission / immunity.12
5.2 DC injection .12
5.3 Power factor .12
6 Operation and safety of the micro-generator .13
6.1 General.13
6.2 Safety .13
6.3 Information plate.13
6.4 Labelling.13
6.5 Maintenance and routine testing.14
7 Commissioning.14
7.1 General.14
7.2 Installation .15
7.3 Notification procedure .15
7.3.1 Inform and Fit for a single installation.15
7.3.2 Multiple / planned installation.15
7.4 Decommission arrangements.15
7.5 Replacement arrangements .16
Annex A (normative) Interface protection settings, national deviations .17
AT – Austria.17
BE – Belgium.18
CH – Switzerland.20
CY – Cyprus .21
CZ – Czech Republic.22
DE – Germany.23
DK – Denmark.24
ES – Spain .25
FI – Finland .27
FR – France .28

GB – United Kingdom .29
IE – Ireland.30
IT – Italy .31
NL – The Netherlands.32
NO – Norway.33
PL – Poland.34
SE – Sweden.35
SI – Slovenia .36
Annex B (informative) Notification sheets.37
B.1 Notification of a micro-generation installation.37
B.2 Application for connection of multiple micro-generators .39
B.3 Notification of micro-generator decommissioning.41
Annex C (informative) Interface protection – Compliance type testing general arrangements .42
C.1 Compliance testing .42
C.2 Type testing of the interface protection.42
C.3 Type testing.45
Annex D (informative) Type certification test results sheet .46
Annex E (normative) Countries allowing extension of the scope > 16 A .50
CY – Cyprus .50
FI – Finland .50
IE – Ireland.50
Annex F (informative) Abbreviations.51
Annex G (informative) A-deviations .52
Bibliography .53

Figure 1 – Example of a warning label both for size and content.14
Figure C.1 – LoM test arrangement .44
Figure C.2 – Power factor test arrangement .45

Table 1 – Countries allowing or not allowing Inform and Fit. 5
Table 2 – Default interface protection settings .11
Table 3 – Product family emission standards.12

- 5 - EN 50438:2007
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies technical requirements for connection and operation of fixed
installed micro-generators and their protection devices, irrespective of the micro-generators primary
source of energy, in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks, where micro-generation
refers to equipment rated up to and including 16 A per phase, single or multi phase 230/400 V or multi
phase 230 V (phase-to-phase voltage).
This European Standard is intended for installation mainly in the domestic market.
In some countries this document may be applied to generators with higher ratings used mostly in
domestic and small commercial installations. These countries are listed in Annex E.
Whenever the scope is extended to equipment rated greater than 16 A per phase additional standards
could be applicable.
Inform and Fit is the recommended procedure for installation of micro-generation except in those
countries where legislation precludes this approach e.g. where it is mandatory for the DNO to give
prior permission for the connection.
Table 1 – Countries allowing or not allowing Inform and Fit
Inform and Fit Inform and Fit
Code Country Allowed Not Code Country Allowed Not
allowed allowed
AT Austria x
...