PV-Engineering PVPM 1040C User manual

PVPM 2540C
1000C
1040C
1050C
Peak Power Measuring Device
and I-V-Curve Tracer
for PV Modules and Generators
Users Manual

Release © 02 / 2021
PV-Engineering GmbH
Hugo-S hultz-Str. 14
DE-58640 Iserlohn
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
e-Mail servi [e-mail]

1 Content -2-
1 Content
1 CONTENT.................................................................................................................................................................... 2
2 SOFTWARE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT........................................................................................................4
3 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................................... 5
4 NORMAL USE............................................................................................................................................................. 5
5 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS........................................................................................................................................... 6
6 OPERATION OF THE PVPM........................................................................................................................................ 8
6.1 OPERATING AND CONNECTION ELEMENTS.................................................................................................................................... 8
6.2 GENERAL HINTS................................................................................................................................................................. 9
6.3 CONNECTING PERIPHERAL DEVICES......................................................................................................................................... 9
6.4 POWER SUPPLY................................................................................................................................................................ 10
6.5 CONNECTING A PC........................................................................................................................................................... 10
6.6 CONNECTING THE SOLAR GENERATOR....................................................................................................................................10
6.7 CONNECTING THE COM INED SENSOR.................................................................................................................................... 11
6.8 SWITCHING-ON................................................................................................................................................................. 11
6.9 UTTONS........................................................................................................................................................................ 12
6.10 MEASUREMENT............................................................................................................................................................... 13
6.11 MESSAGES.................................................................................................................................................................... 15
7 E TERNAL SECURITY SWITCH 1000V / 32A (40A)..................................................................................................16
8 IMPACTS ON THE ACCURACY OF THE MEASUREMENT.......................................................................................17
9 ACCURACY OF THE PEAK POWER CALCULATIONS FROM I-V CHARACTERISTICS...........................................18
10 INSTALLATION OF THE TRANSFER SOFTWARE PVPM.DISP..............................................................................19
11 INSTALLING THE USB DEVICE DRIVER.................................................................................................................20
11.1 INSTALLATION WITH „NEW HARDWARE FOUND“......................................................................................................................... 20
11.2 UNINSTALLING THE CDM DRIVER........................................................................................................................................ 23
12 OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE PVPM.DISP.......................................................................................................24
12.1 MAIN MENU FILE........................................................................................................................................................... 24
12.2 EDIT............................................................................................................................................................................ 26
12.3 EXTRA......................................................................................................................................................................... 26
12.4 DIAGRAM...................................................................................................................................................................... 29
12.5 RESULTS / LISTS............................................................................................................................................................ 30
12.6 HELP (NOT YET IMPLEMENTED)............................................................................................................................................ 30
13 HARDWARE INFORMATION...................................................................................................................................32
13.1 MEASURING UNIT:.......................................................................................................................................................... 32
13.2 PINOUT OF SENSOR SOCKETS:............................................................................................................................................ 32
13.3 CALCULATION UNIT:........................................................................................................................................................ 32
13.4 DISPLAY:...................................................................................................................................................................... 32
13.5 OPERATION:.................................................................................................................................................................. 33
13.6 POWER SUPPLY:............................................................................................................................................................. 33
13.7 DIMENSIONS.................................................................................................................................................................. 33
13.8 OPERATION CONDITIONS:.................................................................................................................................................. 33
13.9 OPTIONALLY AVAILA LE:.................................................................................................................................................... 33
14 LIST OF SYMBOLS..................................................................................................................................................34
15 REASONS FOR DECREASED POWER AND YIELD OF PV GENERATORS............................................................35
16 I-U DIAGRAM: E PLANATION................................................................................................................................. 36
17 SAMPLE CURVES.................................................................................................................................................... 41
18 GLOSSARY.............................................................................................................................................................. 44
18.1 AZIMUTH (SS) AND ELEVATION (Α)........................................................................................................................................ 44
18.2 SLOPE......................................................................................................................................................................... 44
18.3 DC............................................................................................................................................................................ 44
18.4 DEGRADATION CHARACTERISTIC........................................................................................................................................... 44
18.5 DIRECT RADIATION/ DIFFUSE RADIATION.................................................................................................................................. 44
18.6 GENERATOR.................................................................................................................................................................. 44
18.7 GLO AL/TOTAL RADIATION.................................................................................................................................................. 45
18.8 SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT OF SOLAR CELLS............................................................................................................................. 45
18.9 MISMATCHING................................................................................................................................................................ 45
18.10 MPP........................................................................................................................................................................ 45
18.11 TRACKING................................................................................................................................................................... 45
18.12 PEAK POWER............................................................................................................................................................... 45
18.13 PERFORMANCE RATIO.................................................................................................................................................... 45
18.14 PHOX-SENSOR.............................................................................................................................................................. 45
18.15 INTERNAL SERIES RESISTANCE........................................................................................................................................... 46
18.16 SOLAR CONSTANT......................................................................................................................................................... 46
18.17 SOLAR IRRADIATION / INSOLATION....................................................................................................................................... 46
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

1 Content -3-
18.18 STANDARD TEST CONDITIONS.......................................................................................................................................... 46
18.19 CURRENT-VOLTAGE-CHARACTERISTIC................................................................................................................................. 46
18.20 FOUR-WIRE MEASUREMENT (KELVIN MEASUREMENT)................................................................................................................47
18.21 EFFICIENCY................................................................................................................................................................. 47
19 APPENDI A............................................................................................................................................................ 48
19.1 - INDICATOR LIGHTS IN THE FRONT PANEL............................................................................................................................... 48
19.2 SPEAKER SIGNALS:.......................................................................................................................................................... 48
20 KONFORMITÄTSERKLÄRUNG DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY.......................................................................49
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

2 Software End User Li ense Agreement -4-
2 Software End ser License Agreement
LICENSE GRANT
The accompanying software and associated documentation ("Software")
are proprietary products owned by PV-Engineering GmbH and protected
under internationa copyright aw. You may not remove any product
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Software through the network;
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EXPORT
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neither the Software, nor any direct product thereof, is exported, direct y
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This icense granted hereunder wi terminate automatica y if you fai to
comp y with the imitations described herein. Upon termination, you must
destroy a copies of the Software.
LIMITED WARRANTY
PV-Engineering GmbH makes no warranties, inc uding warranties of
merchantabi ity and fitness for a particu ar purpose. Any remedy under
this warranty is imited to return of the software and the user manua to
the dea er or to PV-Engineering GmbH for rep acement or refund. This
warranty is va id for 90 days from your date of purchase. PV-Engineering
GmbH exc udes any warranty coverage for incidenta or consequentia
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some of the above imitations may not app y to you.
TRADE MARKS
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MS-DOS, MS-Windows are trade marks of Microsoft Corporation
Iser ohn, 20.06.2003
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

3 Introdu tion -5-
3 Introduction
The devices of type PVPM enables the measurement of the I-V-curve of photovoltaic modules as well as of
strings. By a new developed procedure the device can measure and calculate the peak power Ppk the Rs and
Rp directly at the place of installation of the PV system. Calculation results and the diagram can be displayed on
the internal TFT display.
The peak power is the power of a module under Standard Test Conditions (STC) [1]. In the past the very
complex measurement of the peak power was possible only in particularly suited laboratories. By a new
patented method [2] which was developed by Professor Wagner at the University of Applied Sciences
Dortmund this measurement can easily be performed with the PVPM. So the quality control of a PV system can
be executed fast and economically. This simple and meaningful check in practice serves the certainty of the
customer and also that of the installer. Beyond that the measured I-V-curves permit further explanations about
the electrical characteristics of the checked module or string. So the PVPM is suitable as an instrument in
research as well as for development purposes.
The PVPM is a mobile measuring devi e with integrated battery supply and battery harger in a durable metal
housing. The devi e has its own industrial miniature PC and a high- ontrast LC display and thus its fun tion is
independent of other devi es. Nevertheless (if desired) a PC an be atta hed for data transfer and further
analysis of the measured values over a standard serial interfa e.
The PVPM is operated omfortably over a few keys and an on-s reen menu. The fun tions are defined self-
des ribing and the user is always led by the program. So no long training a tivities for the operating personnel
are ne essary.
The PVPM automati ally measures the I-V- hara teristi of the PV generator at a apa itive load. From the
measured data it al ulates the effe tive solar ell hara teristi , Ppk and Rs [2], [3]. After the measurement the
data are stored automati ally in a non-volatile storage and so are available later (e. g. in the offi e) [4]. The
devi e internally an store the data of several 1000 measurements.
The following results are displayed:
Permanent values:
Peak Power PPk
Internal Series Resistan e Rs
Internal Parallel Resistan e Rp
Current values, depending on irradiation and temperature:
Vpmax , Ipmax , Pmax
Vo , Is , FF, Tmod , Eeff
The determined I-V- hara teristi an also be shown dire tly on the TFT display.
[1] IEC60904-3: STC= Irradiance 1000 W/m2 Spectrum AM=1.5 Cell Temper. 25°C
[2] Wagner A.: Peak Power and Internal Series Resistance Measurement under Natural Ambient Conditions. –EuroSun Copenhagen
2000
[3] Bendel C. Wagner A.: Photovoltaic Measurement relevant to the Energy Yield. - WCPEC3 Osaka 2003
[4] Schulte K.M. Wagner A.: Die Effektive Solarzellenkennlinie. - Anwendung Teillast-Berechnung. Staffelstein. 2002
4 Normal use
The peak power and I-V- hara teristi measuring instrument series PVPM is used ex lusively for the
admission of the I-V- hara teristi urve of single photovoltai modules and strings. Before onne ting
the PV generator under test to the measuring instrument it must be ensured that the test spe imen
annot ex eed the maximum urrent and voltage levels of the measuring instrument at any time.
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

5 Safety Requirements -6-
5 Safety Requirements
Before the first use of the PVPM read this manual arefully and ompletely. It ontains important hints to avoid
damage to persons or the measuring devi e. These hints are emphasized by a frame around the text and
should be paid attention to.
Referen es in this do ument, whi h on ern se urity matters, are indi ated by a frame. Damages due to the
negle tion of the referen es in this do ument are ex luded from the warranty. No warranty at all is guaranteed
for onsequential damages.
The program PVPM.disp requires a PC with hard disk and MS Windows NT or higher and a mouse pointing
devi e. The onne tion of the PVPM requires a free RS232 serial interfa e. Please be sure that this interfa e
has no interrupt onfli ts with other devi es in the PC.
If no serial interfa e is available at the PC, the PVPM an be atta hed to the PC with the help of a ommer ial
USB to serial onverter.
The required free spa e on the hard disk before installing PVPM.disp is about 5 MB. Please be sure later on
that there is enough free spa e on the hard disk before storing measured data.
Attention: For the purpose of data se urity we would like to point out the importan e of saving the database
of the program regularly on another data medium, so in the event of damage you will be able to ontinue
working without onsiderable data loss. Su h a damage an not be ex luded even under the present state-
of-the-art. Please do not restore single data files, but always the omplete data ba k-up of the program,
otherwise you might ause malfun tion, this in turn might lead to data loss! In ase of doubt please onta t
the distributor or the produ er.
! WARNINGS !
To disregard the following information can lead to severe injury and even entail a peril to
life
CA TION! Before starting up the equipment please read this manual
carefully!
NOTE: Danger of an electrical impact
Note: Measuring category I. Do not use this device in measuring categories II, III and IV.
Do not connect measuring inputs to ground.
This device may never be utilised close to inflammable gases.
Keep children and infants away from the measuring equipment!
The measuring device may not be used in locations with intense dust exposure or high
humidity. No fluids may reach the interior of the measuring device.
At appearance of unusual sounds, the development of smell or smoke the device has got
to be switched of immediately, the circuit breaker and the current source have got to be
disconnected.
Before each measurement check the test leads for the power measurement for damages.
Never operate damaged test leads! If the conducting wires of the measuring device are
damaged they have to be replaced. Mending the wires is not admissible.
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

5 Safety Requirements -7-
The current measurement input may only be attached to a limited source of direct current
(photovoltaic generator) with at most 20A (40A with PVPM2540C and PVPM1040C)! The
connection of other sources can lead to demolition of the device and to danger of life!
For security reasons only qualified personal must establish the cable connection between
the PV generator and the PVPM security switch! The measurement should be carried out
or accompanied by qualified personal. Additional qualifications and laws (e.g. VDE 0100)
have to be observed, otherwise high currents and voltages involve danger of life!
The PVPM and all devices being part of it may be opened and repaired by authorized
qualified personal only. Before opening a case every cable connection must be
disconnected! Keep in mind that even with disconnected cables the may reside
dangerous high voltage inside the case!
The solar generator can generate very high tensions and currents, which can affect your
health when you do not handle with care!
!! VERY IMPORTANT !!
Never plug in or remove the cable connectors between solar generator and PVPM
before the solar generator is deactivated! A security switch added to the
measurement line allows the simultaneous disconnection and the safe connection
of measuring wires to the PVPM.
The PVPM will make a short circuit during measurement or due to wrong polarization, and
when you tear of a cable under this condition, a light arc can arise and can cause serious
damage to health and material! After the generator is deactivated you can remove the
cable connection without harm.
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

6 Operation of the PVPM -8-
6 Operation of the PVPM
6.1 Operating and connection elements
1. On/Off ro ker swit h
2. USB onne tor (Mini B)
3. Status indi ator lamps
4. TFT Tou h display
5. Irradiation input
6. Input for external Pt100 (module ba k surfa e temperature measurement)
7. Four-wire measuring onne tor (voltage)
8. Four-wire measuring onne tor ( urrent)
External voltage supply/battery harge at left side of the PVPM
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

6 Operation of the PVPM -9-
6.2 General Hints
The PVPM, as nearly all ele troni measuring devi e, an only operate in a defined temperature range (see
appendix). That is why the PVPM should not be exposed to dire t sunlight over a longer period of time. Keep
the devi e in a shady pla e or prote t it from dire t sunlight using a sunshade.
The standard version of the PVPM annot be integrated into other devi es or e.g. bra kets. It is very important
that the air an move free around the ase so that a proper ooling is guaranteed! Only if the PVPM is
ompletely out of operation (even no harging) it may be sta ked.
Attention: Never loosen a measurement cable connection during a measurement! The considerable
dc tensions and currents can cause a light arc which may cause fire, serious injuries and even
death! (see chapter 5)
The front panel of the PVPM is rather rough, but you should handle it with are anyway. To avoid damage of the
front panel please take noti e of the following hints:
Do not tou h the front panel with a sharp or pointed obje t. This ould for e s rat hes and might even
destroy the foil espe ially in the regions with swit hes in the ba k.
Clean the surfa e with a soft and damp tissue. Do not use materials that an s rat h, espe ially on the
over of the display. A s rat hed display over will dramati ally affe t the display quality.
The ase is not water proofed. Do not expose the PVPM dire tly to influen e of water, rain or similar.
For a good measuring quality the sun irradian e during the measurement should be above 500 W/m2.
Measurements are possible below this irradian e value, but less pre ise and meaningful.
6.3 Connecting Peripheral Devices
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

6 Operation of the PVPM -10-
For an I-V- urve measurement the following omponents are ne essary:
Peak power measuring devi e PVPM (measurement of I-V- urve, display of results)
external temperature sensor for module ba k surfa e
Phox irradian e sensor with Pt100/Pt1000 temperature sensor
external se urity swit h 1000V / 32A (or 40A, see hapter 7) with 4-wire abling to the module
the module under test and the able onne tion between PV module and PVPM
optional: External PC for the operation of the measurement and evaluation of the measured data
The PVPM is equipped with the following input/output interfa es (you will find all interfa es besides the power
supply at the front panel, they are all marked):
Interfa e Fun tion
Power supply At the left side of the PVPM, input 16Vd
Temperature
(External) temperature sensor
Irradian e Combined sensor irradian e / Pt1000 temperature
4-wire-measurement Voltage input (module under test)
Current input Current input (module under test)
PC Serial onne tion to PC (AT Cross able 9-Pin)
6.4 Power Supply
The PVPM ontains an a umulator whi h let it be ome independent from mains grid power supply. The
a umulator an be harged by the external power supply and an integrated harge unit. After onne ting the
external power supply to the left side of the PVPM ase the a umulator is harged automati ally. The harge
state is displayed by a LED at the front panel of the devi e.
6.5 Connecting a PC
The PVPM an operate independent from an external PC. For an extended evaluation of the measured data or
just for operating the PVPM from a PC you an onne t the PC to the PVPM with the delivered able (USB A –
Mini B). Atta h this able to a free USB port of your PC and to the “PC” onne tor of the PVPM.
Caution: before you an operate the PVPM from a PC with PVPM.disp it is ne essary to sele t the menu
option “transfer” on the PVPM. Otherwise the PVPM will not listen to the serial port and the PC an not a ess
the devi e.
6.6 Connecting the Solar Generator
Important: during an I-V- urve measurement the solar generator under test must be dis onne ted from all
other devi es like batteries, inverters or loads. During the measurement the PVPM will short ir uit the solar
generator for some se onds and it might be damaged by still onne ted batteries or load apa ities of the
inverter!
Conne t the PVPM properly to the solar generator using the ables delivered with the PVPM. The plus pole is
marked RED, the minus pole is marked BLACK!
Assure that all connectors of the power measuring cables are pushed in completely (until stop) into
the sockets.
It is important, that all 4 plugs of the 4-wire-measurement are onne ted properly by the delivered 4-wire- able
or (if you don’t want a 4-wire-measurement) the two red plugs should be onne ted and the two bla k plugs as
well. Use standard short ir uit plugs (19mm) or laboratory ables for this purpose. Without this onne tion a
measurement is not possible!
Caution: keep a suffi ient distan e to power leading parts of the ables between solar generator and
measuring devi e. These ables may lead high tension what may affe t your health even without dire t
onta t!
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

6 Operation of the PVPM -11-
6.7 Connecting the Combined Sensor
For a measurement you must onne t a Pt100/Pt1000 temperature sensor and a Phox irradian e sensor
(delivered as a ombined devi e) to the relevant plug(s) of the PVPM. For just the measurement of serial
resistan e Rs or I-V- urve these sensors are obsolete. The plugs are build in a way with prevents you from
onne ting a sensor to a wrong plug.
The ombined Phox/Pt1000 sensor should be mounted near the modules to be measured. It must have exa tly
the same orientation (elevation and azimuth) regarding the sun as the modules have. Most time the easiest way
is the dire t assembly to the module frame. Please take are that the sensor will drop no shadow to the module!
The sensor needs several minutes to adapt to the environment onditions: the referen e ell firstly should rea h
the temperature of the module, before you an start to measure I-V- urves with the PVPM (see hap.6.10).
For this reason the sensor should not be set up far away from the modules (e.g. modules on the roof, sensor in
the yard). Sin e the solar ells do not rea t only to the dire t irradiation, but also to light refle ted in the
environment, the sensor an possibly noti e different light intensity in the same orientation of sensor and
modules and so falsify the results of the measurement.
In the simplest ase the sensor is fastened with a lamp to the modules under test. Pay attention that the sensor
does not shadow the modules under test! The sensor should have some time in order to adapt to the site
onditions. At PVPM devi es that have no se ond temperature measuring input the sensor must approximately
rea h the temperature of the module under test (the temperatures are readable on the display of the running
PVPM). For se urity reasons we re ommend to he k the ba ksurfa e temperature of the module under test
additionally manually e.g. with an infrared thermometer. Now a measurement with the PVPM an be arried out
(s. also hapter 8).
6.8 Switching-on
Swit h the power of PVPM on by pushing the trigger swit h “Power” at the front panel for approx. 1 se ond
(push it again to power the devi e off again). The indi ator light “On” will show you the presen e of power from
the a umulator or an external power supply. The PVPM will now pass some self tests and will be ready after
about 10-15 se onds of operation. The TFT display will show the start-up s reen:
Lamps on front panel:: see hapter 19.1
The PVPM reports several system onditions, fun tions and errors by speaker signals. A list of signals you will
find in the appendix.
When the devi e signals readiness, you an start a new measurement.
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

6 Operation of the PVPM -12-
●The devi e will power off automati ally, if the battery voltage be omes too low. Re harge the battery before
you use the devi e again. Caution: harging is only allowed in the temperature range between 0°C and
40°C. If the battery temperature is outside this range, harging will not pro eed.
●If the battery voltage be omes lower and the devi e estimates an operation time left of less than 30 minutes,
the LED „State of harge“ will blink red.
●The battery then should be harged within short time or the devi e should be powered externally.
6.9 Buttons
Possible a tions will be displayed as buttons, whi h show a symbol a ording to the a tion, for example a PC
for the transfer between PVPM and PC.
1 Info: displays an overview about the buttons
2 Change: here you an sele t a different value
3 New I-V- urve measurement, displays submenu
4 Retrieve measurement data from ar hive
5 Conne tion to PC („Transfer“)
6 Start I-V-measurement now
7 General: abort, an el funktion
8 Display results
9 Display I-V- urve
10Add entry
11Previous page
12Next page
13Confirm, „OK“
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

6 Operation of the PVPM -13-
6.10 Measurement
Please pay attention to the safety hints in hapters 5+6 and fa tors affe ting measurement a ura y in hapter
7.
The measurement an be started from the PVPM or from a onne ted PC (see hapter 12). The measurement
should not be started before the solar generator and the ne essary sensors are onne ted properly. The I-V-
urve measurement will take up to 2 se onds, than the al ulated results will be displayed immediately on the
PVPMs display (or on the PC).
Opens sub-page for measurement
6.10.1 Start measurement
This button a tivates a single measurement of the I-V- urve. The measurement runs automati ally,
errors will be reported and the results as Ppk, Rs and I-V- urve are displayed on the s reen.
14
6.10.2 Archive
This button enables you to retrieve data of already made measurements. The data-sets are listed
a ording to the reation date.
Goes to next/previous line in the list.
Sele ts next/prior page
Sele t a file with “OK”, exit dialog with “Abort”
Use the button “Delete” to delete the sele ted data-set from PVPM memory. Caution: this operation is
not reversible!
6.10.3 Transfer
This button a tivates the transfer between PVPM and a onne ted PC. You an an el this transfer
mode by pressing the “Abort” button at the PVPM s reen.
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

6 Operation of the PVPM -14-
6.10.4 Results
The page “Results” displays the measured (voltages, urrents, temperatures et .) and al ulated
values (Ppk, Rs, Rp, FF).
The button “Diagram” sele ts the page with the I-V- urve, the button “Results” displays the results as
des ribed above.
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

6 Operation of the PVPM -15-
6.11 Messages
Message: Description:
'Serial error' An error in the serial connection between PVPM and PC occurred
'No measured data' No measured data present
'Configuration file not found!' Internal error, consult manufacturer. PVPM cannot work without its configuration file
'Irradiance varies (ref-cell)!',
'Irradiance too low!',
'Irradiance varies (module)!' The irradiance is not constant enough for the peak power measurement for example due to
moving clouds)
'not available' This result cannot be calculated
'No room for new data!',
'Delete files from P PM' There is no space left on the internal permanent storage, you have to delete stored data from the
permanent storage of the PVPM
'Error when writing ' Problems during the writing of a measuring data to the internal permanent memory
Measurement runs',
'Please wait...' Measurement is in process
'Error writing file ' An error occurred storing the measured data
'Data transfer:',
'Quit transfer with ESC' Data connection to PC invoked
'Measurement not yet possible' The security delay between two measurements is not yet elapsed
'Calculation of Rs not possible' Data is not sufficient for calculation of Rs. Redo the measurement
' alues not evaluablely' Data is not sufficient for calculation. Redo the measurement
' oltage too high!' Immediately switch off the generator with the external security switch! The device could be
damaged by the high voltage!
'Repair required immediately!' The device is damaged internally and requires test and repair through authorized personnel.
'Wrong polarity!' The measuring cables are mounted in the wrong way! Switch off the generator with the external
security switch immediately! The device will short circuit the generator if the polarity is wrong and can take harm. If you disconnect the
cables under voltage a light arc can cause serious damage to health and material
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

7 External Se urity Swit h 1000V / 32A (40A) -16-
7 External Security Switch 1000V / 32A (40A)
Use this swit h to dis onne t the PVPM from the PV power before onne ting or dis onne ting the measuring
ables to/from the PVPM. This avoids damages of your own health or the PVPM.
Handling:
Turn the knob at the switch in a neutral position “0” (both “0” positions are equal).
Put the measuring able delivered with the PVPM as far as possible to the so kets at the swit h housing, red
onne tors to red so kets and bla k onne tors to bla k so kets. You an reverse the two red onne tors
without harm, the two bla k ones as well. Now onne t the ables mounted at the swit h to the PVPM (red to
red, bla k to bla k).
Before you an make a measurement you have to turn the knob at the swit h to one of the “1” positions. After
the measurement turn the switch again in position „0 “! Afterwards the wiring at the PVPM an be removed
safely.
Security advice
CA TION: Do never forget to switch to “0” before handling the connectors at the PVPM!
If you detect a defect at the switch, the housing or the connection cables, the switch must not be
used any longer under any condition!
Only specially instructed professionals must do repairs!
Keep the switch and cables away from liquids, dust and dirt. Clean the surface with a damp cloth
only.
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

8 Impa ts on the a ura y of the measurement -17-
8 Impacts on the accuracy of the measurement
Be sure, that there is no shadow (even not the smallest) affe ting the module under test. Even the shadow of
grass may ause an error! This is also true for the referen e sensor. Please onsider that also a ontamination
of the modules be omes effe tive as shading.
The higher the irradian e to the module, the more exa t will be the result. The irradian e measured by the
ombined sensor should be higher than 500 W/m2 for good results.
The ombined Phox/Pt1000 sensor measures the irradian e and the ell temperature at the ba k side of the
irradian e referen e ell. If no external temperatur sensor for the measurement of the ba k side temperature of
the module under test is available the PVPM expe ts the temperature of the referen e ell to be nearly the
same as that of the measured module. This will be true with suffi ient pre ision if the referen e ell and the PV
module were exposed to the sunlight for same period of time (at least 15 minutes).In addition before a
measurement modules and referen e ell should be exposed dire tly aligned to the sun for more than 15
minutes. For sureness the ba ksurfa e temperature of the module should be additionally he ked before the I-
V- urve measurement e.g. with an infrared thermometer.
The angle of the module regarding the sun should be in an range of 10° regarding the right angle between
sunlight and module surfa e. Very important is a suffi ient irradian e to the module and pre ise alignment of the
referen e ell towards the module. Often the easiest way is to lip the ombined sensor dire tly to the side or
top of the frame of the measured module. However the sensor may also be installed in some distan e to the
module if you an grant the orre t alignment and the sensor does “see” the same light as the module.
Prin ipally the irradian e referen e must have the same spe tral behavior than the module under test
(a ording to IEC 60904). It is possible to use a module like that under test as irradian e referen e: the module
will be short ir uited by a small pre ision shunt resistor whi h will operate the module near the Is . The voltage
at the shunt resistor is proportional to the Is and so to the irradian e. That is how most irradian e referen e
sensors work.
Caution: even a few degrees deviation in the temperature of the reference cell towards the module
temperature can cause a significant error in peak power measurement. Before a you make a
measurement be sure, that the reference sensor and the module were exposed to the same ambient
conditions for a sufficient period of time!
You an enhan e the pre ision of the PVPM results by measuring the same obje t several times (e.g. 5 times)
and after that do a statisti al evaluation on these results.
Given below are on e more the parameters, that are de isive for the a ura y of the measurements:
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

9 A ura y of the peak power al ulations from I-V hara teristi s -18-
9 Accuracy of the peak power calculations from I-V characteristics
Under following onstraints the peak power results of the PVPM have an a ura y of +/- 5% relating to the
a tual peak power value of the devi e under test:
●The devi e under test onsists of mono- or poly ristalline sili on ells
●The devi e under test is not (not even slightly) shadowed
●The irradiation referen e sensor is not (not even slightly) shadowed
●The irradiation referen e sensor must have largely the same spe tral sensitivity as the tested devi e
●The measurement has to be arried out under natural sunlight
●A ording to IEC60904 the sun has to stand within +/- 10° at right angle to the a tive surfa e of the devi e
under test
●A ording to IEC60904 an irradiation of at least 800W/m² is required. On the basis of omparative
measurements we found 600W/m² to be suffi ient for the PVPM
●The measurement of the irradiation has to take pla e immediately before/after that of the I-V hara teristi ,
the time-lag between measurement of hara teristi and irradiation should be less than 1ms.
●The measured value of the irradiation referen e sensor has to be adjusted with the measured temperature of
the referen e ell
●The measurement of the ell temperature has to take pla e immediately before/after the measurement of the
hara teristi within 1se ond and an a urateness of 1K
●The a tive surfa e of the devi e under test must lie in-plane with the irradiation referen e sensor (within +/-
1-2°)
●Before the measurement of the I-V hara teristi the irradiation has to be onstant enough (+/-10W/m²) for at
least 10 se onds , in that way misinterpretations of the temperature of tested devi e and referen e sensor
an be avoided
●The irradiation must not vary more than 10W/m² during the measurement (PVPM will aution the user in this
ase)
●The temperature of the devi e under test and the referen e sensor has got to be balan ed (no alteration of
temperature may be indi ated)
●Current and voltage of the devi e under test are measured with distin t measuring lines (four-wire
measurement)
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH

10 Installation of the Transfer Software PVPM.disp -19-
10 Installation of the Transfer Software PVPM.disp
PVPM.disp is delivered on a CD-ROM or a omparable storage medium and available by download at www.pv-
e.de. The medium ontains a setup program for easy installation of the software on to your PC. The setup
program will opy all ne essary files to your hard disk and initializes the program. The installation an be
performed by every person with basi experien e of PC and MS Windows®.
For the installation of the software perhaps administrator rights are required
For the installation the following steps are ne essary:
1. Insert the CD-ROM with the setup appli ation into the appropriate drive of your PC .
2. If the setup appli ation starts automati ally after inserting the CD-ROM, ontinue with 4.
3. Under “Start” sele t menu option “Exe ute”In the now appearing edit line under “Open” enter “x:setup” (were
x is the drive letter of the installation media. Press ENTER now or li k the Ok-Button.
4. Now the setup program will be exe uted. Follow the messages on the s reen.
5. Setup now opies all ne essary files to your hard disk and will reate a new program group for PVPM.disp..
6. After ompleting the installation please exe ute PVPM.disp. The program should now work as des ribed in
the following text.
The operation of the program will be professed detailed in hapter 12 .
For the operation of the program these files are ne essary:
{program} \ PVPMdisp Program file and additionally files required for the
operation of the appli ation (eg language files)
{ ommon} appdata \ PV Engineering \ PVPMdisp Configuration and the database files
{user do s} \ PVPMdisp Sample and measured data
The program will reate files with the extension .SUI, whi h ontains measured data from an I-V-measurement.
When these files were reated automati ally during a data transfer from PVPM to PC the file name will ontain
the date and time of the measurement. A typi al file name ould be 24-05-01 14_17_04.SUI, this file
ontains data from a measurement made May 24., 2001 at 2:17:04pm.
The measuring data are usually stored in files below “My Do uments\PVPMdisp\”.
Operation manual for PVPM devi es PV-Engineering GmbH