IEC 61730-2:2023

Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification - Part 2: Requirements for testing

IEC 61730-2:2023 lists the tests a PV module is required to fulfil for safety qualification. This document applies for safety qualification only in conjunction with IEC 61730-1. The objective of this document is to provide the testing sequence intended to verify the safety of PV modules whose construction has been assessed by IEC 61730-1. The test sequence and pass criteria are designed to detect the potential breakdown of internal and external components of PV modules that would result in fire, electric shock, and/or personal injury. This document defines the basic safety test requirements and additional tests that are a function of the PV module end-use applications. The additional testing requirements outlined in relevant ISO documents, or the national or local codes which govern the installation and use of these PV modules in their intended locations, are considered in addition to the requirements contained within this document.
The content of the corrigendum 1 (2024-10) has been included in this copy.

Qualification pour la sûreté de fonctionnement des modules photovoltaïques (PV) - Partie 2: Exigences pour les essais

L'IEC 61730-2:2023 définit les exigences de construction, le présent document répertorie les essais auxquels un module PV doit satisfaire à des fins de qualification pour la sûreté de fonctionnement. Le présent document n'est appliqué à des fins de qualification pour la sûreté de fonctionnement que conjointement à l'IEC 61730-1. L'objectif du présent document est de fournir la séquence d'essais destinée à vérifier la sûreté des modules PV dont la construction a été évaluée par l'IEC 61730-1. La séquence d'essais et les critères d'acceptation sont conçus pour détecter le claquage éventuel de composants internes et externes des modules PV, qui peut entraîner des incendies, des chocs électriques et/ou des dommages corporels. Le présent document définit les exigences de base relatives aux essais de sécurité, ainsi que des essais supplémentaires qui dépendent des applications finales du module PV. Outre les exigences contenues dans le présent document, les exigences d'essai supplémentaires suivantes sont prises en considération: exigences indiquées dans les documents ISO appropriés ou exigences spécifiées dans les codes nationaux ou locaux qui régissent l'installation et l'utilisation de ces modules PV dans leurs emplacements destinés.
Le contenu du corrigendum 1 (2024-10) a été pris en considération dans cet exemplaire.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 11-Sep-2023
• 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: 11-Aug-2023
• Completion Date: 12-Sep-2023

Relations

• Corrected By: IEC 61730-2:2023/COR1:2024 - Corrigendum 1- Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification - Part 2: Requirements for testing
• Effective Date: 19-Jul-2024
• Revises: IEC 61730-2:2016 - Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification - Part 2: Requirements for testing
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61730-2 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-09
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification –
Part 2: Requirements for testing
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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copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
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IEC 61730-2 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-09
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification –
Part 2: Requirements for testing
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-7536-8

– 2 – IEC 61730-2:2023 RLV © IEC 2023

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 7
1 Scope . 10
2 Normative references . 10
3 Terms and definitions . 12
4 Test categories . 12
4.1 General . 12
4.2 Environmental stress tests . 13
4.3 General inspection tests . 13
4.4 Electrical shock hazard tests. 13
4.5 Fire hazard tests . 14
4.6 Mechanical stress tests . 14
5 Classes and their necessary test procedures . 14
6 Sampling . 16
7 Test report . 16
8 Testing . 17
9 Pass criteria . 21
10 Test procedures . 21
10.1 General . 21
10.2 Visual inspection MST 01 . 21
10.2.1 Purpose . 21
10.2.2 Procedure . 21
10.2.3 Pass criteria . 21
10.3 Performance at STC MST 02 . 25
10.3.1 Purpose . 25
10.3.2 Procedure . 25
10.3.3 Pass criteria . 25
10.4 Maximum power determination MST 03 . 25
10.4.1 Purpose . 25
10.4.2 Procedure . 25
10.4.3 Pass criteria . 25
10.5 Insulation thickness test MST 04 . 25
10.5.1 Purpose . 25
10.5.2 Procedure . 25
10.5.3 Pass criteria . 26
10.6 Durability of markings MST 05 . 26
10.7 Sharp edge test MST 06 . 26
10.7.1 Purpose . 26
10.7.2 Apparatus . 27
10.7.3 Procedure . 28
10.7.4 Final measurements . 29
10.7.5 Pass criteria . 29
10.8 Bypass diode functionality test MST 07 . 29
10.9 Accessibility test MST 11 . 29
10.9.1 Purpose . 29
10.9.2 Apparatus . 29
10.9.3 Procedure . 29

10.9.4 Final measurements . 29
10.9.5 Pass criteria . 29
10.10 Cut susceptibility test MST 12 . 30
10.10.1 Purpose . 30
10.10.2 Apparatus . 30
10.10.3 Procedure . 30
10.10.4 Final measurements . 30
10.10.5 Pass criteria . 30
10.11 Continuity test of equipotential bonding MST 13 . 31
10.11.1 Purpose . 31
10.11.2 Apparatus . 31
10.11.3 Procedure . 32
10.11.4 Final measurements . 32
10.11.5 Pass criteria . 32
10.12 Impulse voltage test MST 14 . 32
10.12.1 Purpose . 32
10.12.2 Apparatus . 32
10.12.3 Procedure . 34
10.12.4 Final measurement . 34
10.12.5 Pass criteria . 34
10.13 Insulation test MST 16 . 35
10.3.1 Purpose .
10.3.2 Procedure .
10.3.3 Pass criteria .
10.14 Wet leakage current test MST 17 . 35
10.15 Placeholder section, formerly Temperature test MST 21 . 35
10.15.1 Purpose .
10.15.2 Outdoor method .
10.15.3 Solar simulator method .
10.15.4 Pass criteria .
10.16 Hot-spot endurance test MST 22 . 39
10.17 Fire test MST 23 . 39
10.17.1 Purpose .
10.18 Ignitability test MST 24 . 39
10.18.1 Purpose . 39
10.18.2 Apparatus . 40
10.18.3 Test specimen . 40
10.18.4 Conditioning . 41
10.18.5 Procedure . 41
10.18.6 Duration of test . 44
10.18.7 Observations Expresssion of results . 44
10.18.8 Pass criteria . 44
10.19 Bypass diode thermal test MST 25 . 44
10.20 Reverse current overload test MST 26 . 44
10.20.1 Purpose . 44
10.20.2 Apparatus . 44
10.20.3 Procedure . 45
10.20.4 Pass criteria . 46
10.21 Module breakage test MST 32 .
...

IEC 61730-2 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification –
Part 2: Requirements for testing

Qualification pour la sûreté de fonctionnement des modules
photovoltaïques (PV) –
Partie 2: Exigences pour les essais
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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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.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
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and withdrawn publications.
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The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 300 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and once
and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
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If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
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IEC 61730-2 ®
Edition 3.0 2023-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification –

Part 2: Requirements for testing

Qualification pour la sûreté de fonctionnement des modules

photovoltaïques (PV) –
Partie 2: Exigences pour les essais

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 27.160  ISBN 978-2-8322-7217-6

– 2 – IEC 61730-2:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 11
4 Test categories . 11
4.1 General . 11
4.2 Environmental stress tests . 11
4.3 General inspection tests . 12
4.4 Electrical shock hazard tests . 12
4.5 Fire hazard tests . 12
4.6 Mechanical stress tests . 13
5 Classes and their necessary test procedures . 13
6 Sampling . 15
7 Test report . 15
8 Testing . 16
9 Pass criteria . 18
10 Test procedures . 18
10.1 General . 18
10.2 Visual inspection MST 01 . 18
10.2.1 Purpose . 18
10.2.2 Procedure . 18
10.2.3 Pass criteria . 18
10.3 Performance at STC MST 02 . 20
10.3.1 Purpose . 20
10.3.2 Procedure . 20
10.3.3 Pass criteria . 20
10.4 Maximum power determination MST 03 . 21
10.4.1 Purpose . 21
10.4.2 Procedure . 21
10.4.3 Pass criteria . 21
10.5 Insulation thickness test MST 04 . 21
10.5.1 Purpose . 21
10.5.2 Procedure . 21
10.5.3 Pass criteria . 21
10.6 Durability of markings MST 05 . 22
10.7 Sharp edge test MST 06 . 22
10.7.1 Purpose . 22
10.7.2 Apparatus . 22
10.7.3 Procedure . 23
10.7.4 Final measurements . 24
10.7.5 Pass criteria . 24
10.8 Bypass diode functionality test MST 07 . 24
10.9 Accessibility test MST 11 . 24
10.9.1 Purpose . 24
10.9.2 Apparatus . 24
10.9.3 Procedure . 24

10.9.4 Final measurements . 25
10.9.5 Pass criteria . 25
10.10 Cut susceptibility test MST 12 . 25
10.10.1 Purpose . 25
10.10.2 Apparatus . 25
10.10.3 Procedure . 25
10.10.4 Final measurements . 26
10.10.5 Pass criteria . 26
10.11 Continuity test of equipotential bonding MST 13. 27
10.11.1 Purpose . 27
10.11.2 Apparatus . 27
10.11.3 Procedure . 27
10.11.4 Final measurements . 27
10.11.5 Pass criteria . 27
10.12 Impulse voltage test MST 14 . 27
10.12.1 Purpose . 27
10.12.2 Apparatus . 28
10.12.3 Procedure . 28
10.12.4 Final measurement . 29
10.12.5 Pass criteria . 29
10.13 Insulation test MST 16 . 29
10.14 Wet leakage current test MST 17 . 29
10.15 Placeholder section, formerly Temperature test MST 21 . 29
10.16 Hot-spot endurance test MST 22 . 29
10.17 Fire test MST 23 .
...