IEC 62788-7-3:2022

Measurement procedures for materials used in photovoltaic modules - Part 7-3: Accelerated stress tests - Methods of abrasion of PV module external surfaces

IEC 62788-7-3:2022 defines the test methods that can be used for evaluating the abrasion of materials and coatings in photovoltaic modules or other solar devices. This document may be applied to components on the incident surface (including coatings, frontsheet, and glass) as well as the back surface (including backsheets or back glass). This document is intended to address abrasion of PV module surfaces and any coatings present using representative specimens (e.g. which can be centimetres in size); the methods and apparatus used here can also be used on PV module specimens (e.g. meters in size).

Procédures de mesure des matériaux utilisés dans les modules photovoltaïques - Partie 7-3: Essais sous contraintes accélérés - Méthodes d’abrasion des surfaces externes des modules photovoltaïques

IEC 62788-7-3:2022 définit les méthodes d’essai qui peuvent être utilisées pour l’évaluation de l’abrasion des matériaux et revêtements des modules photovoltaïques ou autres dispositifs solaires. Le présent document peut être appliqué aux composants présents tant sur la surface concernée (y compris les revêtements, la feuille avant et le verre), que sur la face arrière (y compris les feuilles arrière ou le verre face arrière). Le présent document est destiné à traiter de l’abrasion des surfaces de modules photovoltaïques et tout revêtement présent au moyen d’éprouvettes représentatives (par exemple, dont la taille peut se mesurer en centimètres).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jul-2024
• ICS: 27.160 - Solar energy engineering
• Technical Committee: TC 82 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems
• Drafting Committee: WG 2 - TC 82/WG 2
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 18-Mar-2022
• Completion Date: 22-Feb-2022

Relations

• Amended By: IEC 62788-7-3:2022/AMD1:2024 - Amendment 1 - Measurement procedures for materials used in photovoltaic modules - Part 7-3: Accelerated stress tests - Methods of abrasion of PV module external surfaces
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62788-7-3 ®
Edition 1.1 2024-07
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Measurement procedures for materials used in photovoltaic modules –
Part 7-3: Accelerated stress tests – Methods of abrasion of PV module external
Surfaces
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

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International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

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IEC 62788-7-3 ®
Edition 1.1 2024-07
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Measurement procedures for materials used in photovoltaic modules –
Part 7-3: Accelerated stress tests – Methods of abrasion of PV module external
Surfaces
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-9506-9

REDLINE VERSION – 2 – IEC 62788-7-3:2022+AMD1:2024 CSV
© IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Artificial linear machine abrasion test (SAT01). 8
4.1 Principle . 8
4.2 Apparatus . 8
4.2.1 Artificial linear machine abrasion apparatus . 8
4.2.2 Brush . 9
4.2.3 Abrasive medium (dry) . 10
4.2.4 Abrasive medium (wet slurry) . 11
4.3 Test specimens . 11
4.3.1 Materials and geometry . 11
4.3.2 Number of replicate specimens . 12
4.3.3 Reference material . 12
4.4 Test procedure . 13
4.4.1 Setting up the apparatus and specimen . 13
4.4.2 Performing the abrasion test . 13
4.5 Specimen preparation for examination after testing . 14
5 Artificial rotary machine abrasion test (SAT02) . 14
5.1 General . 14
5.2 Apparatus . 14
5.2.1 Artificial rotary machine abrasion apparatus . 14
5.2.2 Brush . 15
5.2.3 Abrasive medium (dry) . 16
5.2.4 Abrasive medium (wet/slurry) . 16
5.3 Test specimens . 16
5.4 Test procedure . 16
5.5 Specimen preparation for examination after testing . 16
6 Falling sand test (SAT03) . 16
6.1 Principle . 16
6.2 Apparatus . 17
6.2.1 Falling sand apparatus . 17
6.2.2 Abrasive medium . 17
6.3 Test specimens . 17
6.3.1 General . 17
6.3.2 Number of replicate specimens . 17
6.4 Test procedure . 18
6.5 Specimen preparation for examination after testing . 18
7 Forced sand impingement test (SAT04) . 18
7.1 Principle . 18
7.2 Apparatus . 18
7.2.1 Forced sand impingement apparatus . 18
7.2.2 Abrasive medium . 19
7.3 Test specimens . 19

© IEC 2024
7.4 Procedure . 19
7.5 Specimen preparation for examination after testing . 20
8 Test report . 20
Annex A (informative) References describing the durability of materials to linear
abrasion. 21
Bibliography . 22

Figure 1 – Schematics showing the arrangement of bristle tufts on the linear brush . 10
Figure 12 – Schematic showing the arrangement of bristle tufts on the rotary brush . 16

Table 1 – Examples of suitable reference materials . 13

REDLINE VERSION – 4 – IEC 62788-7-3:2022+AMD1:2024 CSV
© IEC 2024
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES FOR MATERIALS
USED IN PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES –

Part 7-3: Accelerated stress tests –
Methods of abrasion of PV module external surfaces

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
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interested IEC National Committees.
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This consolidated version of the official IEC Standard and its amendment has been
prepared for user convenience.
IEC 62788-7-3 edition 1.1 contains the first edition (2022-02) [documents 82/1987/FDIS
and 82/2009/RVD] and its amendment 1 (2024-07) [documents 82/2259/FDIS and
82/2277/RVD].
In this Redline version, a vertical line in the margin shows where the technical content is
modified by amendment 1. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red
text. A separate Final version with all changes accepted is available in this publication.

© IEC 2024
IEC 62788-7-3 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 82: Solar
...

IEC 62788-7-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2022-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Measurement procedures for materials used in photovoltaic modules –
Part 7-3: Accelerated stress tests – Methods of abrasion of PV module external
surfaces
Procédures de mesure des matériaux utilisés dans les modules
photovoltaïques –
Partie 7-3: Essais sous contraintes accélérés – Méthodes d’abrasion des
surfaces externes des modules photovoltaïques

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
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About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

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IEC 62788-7-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2022-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Measurement procedures for materials used in photovoltaic modules –

Part 7-3: Accelerated stress tests – Methods of abrasion of PV module external

surfaces
Procédures de mesure des matériaux utilisés dans les modules

photovoltaïques –
Partie 7-3: Essais sous contraintes accélérés – Méthodes d’abrasion des

surfaces externes des modules photovoltaïques

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-1081-5

– 2 – IEC 62788-7-3:2022 © IEC 2022
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Artificial linear machine abrasion test (SAT01). 8
4.1 Principle . 8
4.2 Apparatus . 8
4.2.1 Artificial linear machine abrasion apparatus . 8
4.2.2 Brush . 9
4.2.3 Abrasive medium (dry) . 9
4.2.4 Abrasive medium (wet slurry) . 10
4.3 Test specimens . 10
4.3.1 Materials and geometry . 10
4.3.2 Number of replicate specimens . 11
4.3.3 Reference material . 11
4.4 Test procedure . 11
4.4.1 Setting up the apparatus and specimen . 11
4.4.2 Performing the abrasion test . 12
4.5 Specimen preparation for examination after testing . 12
5 Artificial rotary machine abrasion test (SAT02) . 13
5.1 General . 13
5.2 Apparatus . 13
5.2.1 Artificial rotary machine abrasion apparatus . 13
5.2.2 Brush . 14
5.2.3 Abrasive medium (dry) . 14
5.2.4 Abrasive medium (wet/slurry) . 15
5.3 Test specimens . 15
5.4 Test procedure . 15
5.5 Specimen preparation for examination after testing . 15
6 Falling sand test (SAT03) . 15
6.1 Principle . 15
6.2 Apparatus . 15
6.2.1 Falling sand apparatus . 15
6.2.2 Abrasive medium . 16
6.3 Test specimens . 16
6.3.1 General . 16
6.3.2 Number of replicate specimens . 16
6.4 Test procedure . 16
6.5 Specimen preparation for examination after testing . 17
7 Forced sand impingement test (SAT04) . 17
7.1 Principle . 17
7.2 Apparatus . 17
7.2.1 Forced sand impingement apparatus . 17
7.2.2 Abrasive medium . 17

7.3 Test specimens . 18
7.4 Procedure . 18
7.5 Specimen preparation for examination after testing . 18
8 Test report . 18
Annex A (informative) References describing the durability of materials to linear
abrasion. 20
Bibliography . 21

Figure 1 – Schematic showing the arrangement of bristle tufts on the rotary brush . 14

– 4 – IEC 62788-7-3:2022 © IEC 2022
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES FOR MATERIALS
USED IN PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES –

Part 7-3: Accelerated stress tests –
Methods of abrasion of PV module external surfaces

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to ap
...