Standards

This part of IEC 61730 specifies and describes the fundamental construction requirements for photovoltaic (PV) modules in order to provide safe electrical and mechanical operation. Specific topics are provided to assess the prevention of electrical shock, fire hazards, and personal injury due to mechanical and environmental stresses. This part of IEC 61730 pertains to the particular requirements of construction. IEC 61730-2 defines the requirements for testing. This International Standard series lays down IEC requirements of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in open-air climates. This standard is intended to apply to all terrestrial flat plate module materials such as crystalline silicon module types as well as thin-film modules. PV modules covered by this standard are limited to a maximum DC system voltage of 1 500 V.

This part of IEC 61730 specifies and describes the fundamental construction requirements for photovoltaic (PV) modules in order to provide safe electrical and mechanical operation. Specific topics are provided to assess the prevention of electrical shock, fire hazards, and personal injury due to mechanical and environmental stresses. This part of IEC 61730 pertains to the particular requirements of construction. IEC 61730-2 defines the requirements for testing. This International Standard series lays down IEC requirements of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in open-air climates. This standard is intended to apply to all terrestrial flat plate module materials such as crystalline silicon module types as well as thin-film modules. PV modules covered by this standard are limited to a maximum DC system voltage of 1 500 V.

These requirements cover inverters, converters, charge controllers, and interconnection system equipment (ISE) intended for use in stand-alone (not grid-connected) or utility-interactive (grid-connected) power systems. Utility-interactive inverters, converters, and ISE are intended to be operated in parallel 

For utility-interactive equipment, these requirements are intended to supplement and be used in conjunction with the Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, IEEE 1547, and the Standard for Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, IEEE 1547.1.

These requirements cover AC modules that combine flat-plate photovoltaic modules and inverters to provide AC output power for stand-alone use or utility-interaction, and power systems that combine other alternative energy sources with inverters, converters, charge controllers, and interconnection system equipment (ISE), in system specific combinations.

1.1 This standard covers single-conductor, insulated and integrally or non-integrally jacketed, sunlight resistant, photovoltaic wire rated 90°C, 105°C, 125°C, or 150°C dry and, 90°C wet, 600, 1000, or 2000 V for interconnection wiring of grounded and ungrounded photovoltaic power systems as described in Article690, Part IV, Wiring Methods, and other applicable parts of the National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70.

1.1 The requirements of this Standard cover arc-fault circuit-interrupters (AFCIs) of the branch/feeder, outlet circuit, portable, and cord type intended for use in dwelling units. These devices are intended to mitigate the effects of arcing faults that may pose a risk of fire ignition under certain conditions if the arcing persists. 1.2 AFCIs have a maximum rating of 20 A and are intended for use in 120-V ac, 60-HZ circuits. Cord AFCIs are rated up to 30 A. 1.3 These devices are not intended to detect glowing connections. 1.4 In these requirements the term device is used generically to apply to all of the devices covered by these requirements and is modified when the requirement does not apply to all types. 1.5 An AFCI that is also intended to perform other functions, such as overcurrent protection, ground-fault circuit-interruption, surge suppression, any other similar functions, or any combination thereof, shall comply additionally with the requirements of the applicable Standard or Standards that cover devices that provide those functions. 1.6 This standard contains a supplement covering the requirements for Leakage-Current Detector-Interrupters.

1.1 This standard covers latching or locking type PV connectors either as a free connector (separate entity) or as a fixed connector (panel or bulkhead type) and rated 1500 V ac or dc or less. These connectors are intended for use in wiring methods detailed in Part IV of Article 690 – Solar Photovoltaic Systems of the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70.1.2 This standard is intended for single polarity PV connectors suitable for use on insulated, stranded copper type USE-2 or Photovoltaic Wire (PV Wire) rated 90°C, 105°C, 125°C, or 150°C dry; 90°C wet;600, 1000, or 2000 V..

1.1 These requirements cover solar trackers intended for installation as fixed trackers which are not attached to buildings, in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70. Trackers intended to be installed in an area where public access is anticipated shall be evaluated for all mechanical hazards as defined in this standard. Trackers intended to be installed in an area where public access is restricted by fence, secured location, etc. should be evaluated with consideration given to the mechanical hazard requirements of this standard. These requirements also cover freestanding trackers, which are by design not required to be mechanically secured in position.

1.1 These requirements cover photovoltaic junction boxes intended to be attached to photovoltaic modules and panels. 1.2 These requirements cover photovoltaic junction boxes intended for factory and field wiring and may include conduit openings, wiring leads, and/or photovoltaic connectors intended for interconnection of PV modules. 1.3 The products covered by these requirements are intended to be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.

1.1 This standard identifies the required information on the production and measurement tolerances of nameplate rating of flat plate photovoltaic (PV) modules. 1.2 This standard identifies five rating conditions under which the performance parameters of PV modulesshall be reported.

This International Standard specifies the minimum requirements for the design qualification and type approval of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules and assemblies suitable for long-term operation in general open-air climates as defined in IEC 60721-2-1. The test sequence is partially based on that specified in IEC 61215-1 for the design qualification and type approval of flat-plate terrestrial crystalline silicon PV modules. However, some changes have been made to account for the special features of CPV receivers and modules, particularly with regard to the separation of on-site and in-lab tests, effects of tracking alignment, high current density, and rapid temperature changes, which have resulted in the formulation of some new test procedures or new requirements.