ASTM_E_1802_-_12.pdf

Designation:E180212Standard Test Methods forWet Insulation Integrity Testing of Photovoltaic Modules1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1802;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 These test methods provide procedures to determine theinsulation resistance of a photovoltaic(PV)module,i.e.theelectrical resistance between the modules internal electricalcomponents and its exposed,electrically conductive,non-current carrying parts and surfaces.1.2 The insulation integrity procedures are a combination ofwet insulation resistance and wet dielectric voltage withstandtest procedures.1.3 These procedures are similar to and reference theinsulation integrity test procedures described in Test MethodsE1462,with the difference being that the photovoltaic moduleunder test is immersed in a wetting solution during theprocedures.1.4 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels.The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results isbeyond the scope of these test methods.1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.For specificprecautionary statements,see Section 6.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E772 Terminology of Solar Energy ConversionE1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and GroundPath Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules3.Terminology3.1 Definitions Definitions of terms used in this testmethod may be found in Terminology E772.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 insulation resistancethe electrical resistance of aphotovoltaic modules insulation,measured between the pho-tovoltaic circuit and exposed,electrically conductive non-current-carrying parts and surfaces of the module.4.Significance and Use4.1 The design of a photovoltaic module or system intendedto provide safe conversion of the suns radiant energy intouseful electricity must take into consideration the possibility ofhazard should the user come into contact with the electricalpotential of the module or system.In addition,the insulationsystem provides a barrier to electrochemical corrosion,andinsulation flaws can result in increased corrosion and reliabilityproblems.These test methods describe procedures for verify-ing that the design and construction of the module providesadequate electrical isolation through normal installation anduse.At no location on the module should the PV generatedelectrical potential be accessible,with the obvious exception ofthe output leads.This isolation is necessary to provide for safeand reliable installation,use,and service of the photovoltaicsystem.4.2 This test method describes a procedure for determiningthe ability of the module to provide protection from electricalhazards.Its primary use is to find insulation flaws that could bedangerous to persons who may come into contact with themodule,especially when modules are wet.For example,theseflaws could be small holes in the encapsulation that allowhazardous voltages to be accessible on the outside surface of amodule after a period of high humidity.4.3 Insulation flaws in a module may only become detect-able after the module has been wet for a certain period of time.For this reason,these procedures specify a minimum time amodule must be immersed prior to the insulation integritymeasurements.4.4 Electrical junction boxes attached to modules are oftendesigned to allow liquid water,accumulated from condensedwater vapor,to drain.Such drain paths are usually designed topermit water to exit,but not to allow impinging water from rain1These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 onSolar,Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and are the directresponsibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.Current edition approved Dec.1,2012.Published December 2012.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1802 07.DOI:10.1520/E1802-12.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 or water sprinklers to enter.It is important that all surfaces ofjunction boxes be thoroughly wetted by spraying during thetests to enable these protective drain features to b