IEC 61730-2:2023 ED3

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

IEC 61730-2:2023 is available as IEC 61730-2:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.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.

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

IEC 61730-2:2023 est disponible sous forme de IEC 61730-2:2023 RLV qui contient la Norme internationale et sa version Redline, illustrant les modifications du contenu technique depuis l'édition précédente.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.

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

• Revises: IEC 61730-2:2016 ED2 - 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
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
IEC 61730-2:2023-09(en-fr)

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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




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– 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

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IEC 61730-2:2023 © IEC 2023 – 3 –
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 . 30
10.18 Ignitability test MST 24 . 30
10.18.1 Purpose . 30
10.18.2 Apparatus . 30
10.18.3 Test specimen . 31
10.18.4 Conditioning . 31
10.18.5 Procedure . 31
10.18.6 Duration of test . 34
10.18.7 Expresssion of results . 34
10.18.8 Pass criteria . 34
10.19 Bypass diode thermal test MST 25 . 34
10.20 Reverse current overload test MST 26 . 34
10.20.1 Purpose . 34
10.20.2 Apparatus . 34
10.20.3 Procedure . 35
10.20.4 Pass criteria . 35
10.21 Module breakage test MST 32. 36
10.21.1 Purpose . 36
10.21.2 Apparatus . 36
10.21.3 Procedure . 36
10.21.4 Pass criteria . 36
10.22 Screw connections test MST 33 . 39
10.22.1 Test for general screw connections MST 33a . 39
10.22.2 Test for locking screws MST 33b . 41
10.23 Static mechanical load test MST 34 . 41

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10.23.1 General . 41
10.23.2 Pass criteria . 41
10.24 Peel test MST 35 . 41
10.24.1 Purpose . 41
10.24.2 Sample requirements . 41
10.24.3 Apparatus . 42
10.24.4 Procedure . 42
10.24.5 Pass criteria . 45
10.25 Lap shear strength test MST 36 . 45
10.25.1 Purpose . 45
10.25.2 Test samples . 45
10.25.3 Apparatus . 46
10.25.4 Procedure . 46
10.25.5 Pass criteria . 47
10.26 Materials creep test MST 37 . 48
10.26.1 Purpose . 48
10.26.2 Apparatus . 48
10.26.3 Procedure . 48
10.26.4 Final measurements . 48
10.26.5 Pass criteria . 48
10.27 Robustness of terminations test MST 42 . 48
10.28 Thermal cycling test MST 51 . 49
10.29 Humidity freeze test MST 52 . 49
10.30 Damp heat test MST 53 . 49
10.31 UV test MST 54 . 49
10.32 Cold conditioning test MST 55 . 49
10.32.1 Purpose . 49
10.32.2 Apparatus . 49
10.32.3 Procedure . 50
10.32.4 Pass criteria . 50
10.33 Dry heat conditioning test MST 56 . 50
10.33.1 Purpose . 50
10.33.2 Apparatus . 50
10.33.3 Procedure . 50
10.33.4 Pass criteria . 50
10.34 Evaluation of insulation coordination MST 57 . 50
10.34.1 Purpose . 50
10.34.2 Apparatus . 51
10.34.3 Procedure . 51
10.34.4 Pass criteria . 54
Annex A (informative) Recommendations for testing of PV modules from production . 55
A.1 General . 55
A.2 Module output power. 55
A.3 Wet insulation test . 55
A.4 Visual inspection . 56
A.5 Bypass diodes . 56
A.6 Continuity test of equipotential bonding. 56
Annex B (informative) Fire tests, spread-of-flame and burning-brand tests for PV
modules . 57

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IEC 61730-2:2023 © IEC 2023 – 5 –
B.1 General . 57
B.2 Fire test for PV modules based on ENV 1187 . 57
B.2.1 General . 57
B.2.2 External fire exposure to roofs . 57
B.2.3 Classification according to EN 13501-5 . 59
B.3 Fire test for PV modules based on ANSI/UL 61730-2 . 59
Annex C (normative) Usage of representative samples for very large modules . 60
Bibliography . 63

Figure 1 – Test sequences – Pass criteria . 17
Figure 2 – Assessment of bubbles for evaluation of clearances and creepage
distances, or distance through insulation . 20
Figure 3 – Test apparatus MST 06 . 23
Figure 4 – Position of test apparatus . 24
Figure 5 – Cut susceptibility test . 26
Figure 6 – Waveform of the impulse voltage following IEC 60060-1 . 28
Figure 7 – Application of burner for multilayer products . 33
Figure 8 – Impactor . 37
Figure 9 – Impact test frame 1 . 38
Figure 10 – Impact test frame 2 . 39
Figure 11 – Sample preparation of cemented joints ≤ 10 mm using a release sheet . 42
Figure 12 – PV module with positions for peel samples on frontsheet or backsheet . 43
Figure 13 – Typical peel-off measurement curves . 44
Figure 14 – Lap shear test sample for proving cemented joint . 46
Figure 15 – Lap-shear test flow . 47
Figure B.1 – Example of test set-up for fire test . 58
Figure C.1 – Example for a possible break . 62

Table 1 – Environmental stress tests . 11
Table 2 – General inspection tests . 12
Table 3 – Electrical shock hazard tests . 12
Table 4 – Fire hazard tests . 13
Table 5 – Mechanical stress tests . 13
Table 6 – Required tests, depending on the Class . 14
Table 7 – Tapes for test finger . 23
Table 8 – Torque tests on screws per IEC 60598-1:2014, Table 4.1 . 40
Table 9 – Altitude correction factor for test voltage for operating (installation) altitudes

higher than 2 000 m . 52
Table 10 – Altitude correction factor for test voltage for testing (laboratory) altitudes
lower than 2 000 m . 52
Table 11 – Rated impulse voltages . 53
Table C.1 – Overview of tests . 61

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– 6 – IEC 61730-2:2023 © IEC 2023
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PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULE SAFETY QUALIFICATION –

Part 2: Requirements for testing

FOREWORD
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