PV-Engineering PVPM 2540C User manual

PVPM 2540C
6020C
1000C
1000C40
Peak Power Measuring Device
and I-V-Curve Tracer
for PV Moduls und Generators
Users Manual

2
Release © 07 / 2015
PV-Engineering GmbH
Hug -Schultz-Str. 14
DE-58640 Iserl hn
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
e-Mail [e-mail]

1S ftware End User License Agreement 3
Contents
1 SOFTWARE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT..........................................................................................................................5
2 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
3 NORMAL USE....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
4 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................................................................................ 7
5 OPERATION OF THE PVPM..............................................................................................................................................................9
5.1 OPERATING AND CONNECTION ELEMENTS....................................................................................................................................................9
5.2 GENERAL HINTS................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
5.3 CONNECTING PERIPHERAL DEVICES........................................................................................................................................................10
5.4 POWER SUPPLY................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
5.5 CONNECTING A PC.............................................................................................................................................................................. 11
5.6 CONNECTING THE SOLAR GENERATOR..................................................................................................................................................... 11
5.7 CONNECTING THE COMBINATION SENSOR.................................................................................................................................................11
5. SWITCHING-ON...................................................................................................................................................................................12
5.9 KEYS................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
5.10 MEASUREMENT................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
5.11 MENUS........................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
5.12 MESSAGES....................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
6 E TERNAL SECURITY SWITCH 1000V / 25A..............................................................................................................................16
7 IMPACTS ON THE ACCURACY OF THE MEASUREMENT......................................................................................................17
8 INSTALLATION OF THE TRANSFER SOFTWARE PVPM.DISP...............................................................................................19
9 INSTALLING THE USB DEVICE DRIVER.....................................................................................................................................20
9.1 INSTALLATION WITH „NEW HARDWARE FOUND“.........................................................................................................................................20
9.2 UNINSTALLING THE CDM DRIVER..........................................................................................................................................................23
10 OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE PVPM.DISP.........................................................................................................................24
10.1 MAIN MENU FILE.............................................................................................................................................................................24
10.2 EDIT............................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
10.3 EXTRA............................................................................................................................................................................................ 26
10.4 DIAGRAM........................................................................................................................................................................................ 29
10.5 RESULTS / LISTS............................................................................................................................................................................... 30
10.6 HELP (NOT YET IMPLEMENTED)............................................................................................................................................................31
11 HARDWARE INFORMATION........................................................................................................................................................ 32
11.1 MEASURING UNIT:............................................................................................................................................................................32
11.2 CALCULATION UNIT:.......................................................................................................................................................................... 33
11.3 DISPLAY:......................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
11.4 OPERATION:..................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
11.5 POWER SUPPLY:................................................................................................................................................................................ 33
11.6 DIMENSIONS.....................................................................................................................................................................................33
11.7 OPERATION CONDITIONS:.................................................................................................................................................................... 33
11. OPTIONALLY AVAILABLE:..................................................................................................................................................................... 33
12 LIST OF SYMBOLS.......................................................................................................................................................................... 34
13 REASONS FOR DECREASED POWER AND YIELD OF PV GENERATORS..........................................................................35
14 I-U DIAGRAM: E PLANATION....................................................................................................................................................36
15 SAMPLE CURVES............................................................................................................................................................................ 40
16 GLOSSARY........................................................................................................................................................................................ 43
16.1 AZIMUTH (SS) AND ELEVATION (Α)........................................................................................................................................................43
16.2 SLOPE............................................................................................................................................................................................. 43
16.3 DC................................................................................................................................................................................................43
16.4 DEGRADATION CHARACTERISTIC...........................................................................................................................................................43
16.5 DIRECT RADIATION/ DIFFUSE RADIATION.................................................................................................................................................43
16.6 GENERATOR.....................................................................................................................................................................................43
16.7 GLOBAL/TOTAL RADIATION.................................................................................................................................................................. 44
16. SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT OF SOLAR CELLS..............................................................................................................................................44
16.9 MISMATCHING..................................................................................................................................................................................44
16.10 MPP........................................................................................................................................................................................... 44
16.11 TRACKING......................................................................................................................................................................................44
16.12 PEAK POWER.................................................................................................................................................................................44
16.13 PERFORMANCE RATIO...................................................................................................................................................................... 44
16.14 PHOX-SENSOR................................................................................................................................................................................44
16.15 INTERNAL SERIES RESISTANCE.............................................................................................................................................................45
16.16 SOLAR CONSTANT........................................................................................................................................................................... 45
16.17 SOLAR IRRADIATION / INSOLATION.......................................................................................................................................................45
16.1 CURRENT-VOLTAGE-CHARACTERISTIC.................................................................................................................................................45
16.19 FOUR-WIRE MEASUREMENT (KELVIN MEASUREMENT).............................................................................................................................46
16.20 EFFICIENCY.................................................................................................................................................................................... 46
17 APPENDI A...................................................................................................................................................................................... 47
17.1 - INDICATOR LIGHTS IN THE FRONT PANEL...............................................................................................................................................47
17.2 SPEAKER SIGNALS:.............................................................................................................................................................................47
Operati n manual f r PVPM devices PV-Engineering GmbH

1S ftware End User License Agreement 4
1 Software End User icense Agreement
LICENSE GRANT
The accompanying software and associated documentation ("Software")
are proprietary products owned by PV-Engineering GmbH and protected
under international copyright law. You may not remove any product
identification, copyright notices, or other notices or proprietary restrictions
from the Software.
Use of the Software is defined to be use and distribution consistent with
the following conditions.
You or any person under your authority or control may:
✔Make copies of the Software for backup purposes provided said copies
contains all of the original Software's proprietary notices;
✔Use the Software only on computers owned, leased, or otherwise
controlled by you and only on one computer at a time;
✔Use the Software on a network, provided that a licensed copy of the
Software has been acquired for each person permitted to access the
Software through the network;
✔Distribute or redistribute data files generated by the Software;
You or any person under your authority or control may not:
✗Copy or use the Software except as authorized under this License
Grant;
✗Use on two or more computers at a time without separate
authorization and the payment of additional license fees;
✗Distribute or redistribute any part of the Software or Files except as
described above;
✗Permit other individuals to distribute or redistribute any part of the
Software or Files;
✗Modify, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or create
derivative works based on the Software or Files;
✗Copy the Software or Files; rent, lease, grant a security interest in, or
otherwise transfer rights to the Software or Files; or remove any
proprietary notices or labels on the Software or Files.
E PORT
You agree to comply fully with all laws and regulations to assure that
neither the Software, nor any direct product thereof, is exported, directly or
indirectly, in violation of law.
TERMINATION
This license granted hereunder will terminate automatically if you fail to
comply with the limitations described herein. Upon termination, you must
destroy all copies of the Software.
LIMITED WARRANTY
PV-Engineering GmbH makes no warranties, including warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Any remedy under this
warranty is limited to return of the software and the user manual to the
dealer or to PV-Engineering GmbH for replacement or refund. This
warranty is valid for 90 days from your date of purchase. PV-Engineering
GmbH excludes any warranty coverage for incidental or consequential
damages. Some states do not allow limitations on implied warranties, so
some of the above limitations may not apply to you.
TRADE MARKS
Borland is a trade mark of Borland Inc.
MS-DOS, MS-Windows are trade marks of Microsoft Corporation
Iserlohn, 20.06.2003
Operati n manual f r PVPM devices PV-Engineering GmbH

2Intr ducti n 5
2 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 LC-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 m bile measuring device with integrated battery supply and battery charger in a durable metal
h using. The device has its wn industrial miniature PC and a high-c ntrast LC display and thus its functi n is
independent f ther devices. Nevertheless (if desired) a PC can be attached f r data transfer and further
analysis f the measured values ver a standard serial interface.
The PVPM is perated c mf rtably ver a few keys and an n-screen menu. The functi ns are defined self-
describing and the user is always led by the pr gram. S n l ng training activities f r the perating pers nnel
are necessary.
The PVPM aut matically measures the I-V-characteristic f the PV generat r at a capacitive l ad. Fr m the
measured data it calculates the effective s lar cell characteristic, Ppk and Rs [2], [3]. After the measurement the
data are st red aut matically in a n n-v latile st rage and s are available later (e. g. in the ffice) [4]. The
device internally can st re the data f several 1000 measurements.
The f ll wing results are displayed:
Permanent values:
Peak P wer PPk
Internal Series Resistance Rs
Internal Parallel Resistance Rp
Current values, depending n irradiati n and temperature:
Vpmax , Ipmax , Pmax
Vc , Isc , FF, Tm d , Eeff
The determined I-V-characteristic can als be sh wn directly n the LC-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
3 Normal use
The peak p wer and I-V-characteristic measuring instrument series PVPM is used exclusively f r the
admissi n f the I-V-characteristic curve f single ph t v ltaic m dules and strings. Bef re c nnecting
the PV generat r under test t the measuring instrument it must be ensured that the test specimen
cann t exceed the maximum current and v ltage levels f the measuring instrument at any time.
Operati n manual f r PVPM devices PV-Engineering GmbH

4Safety Requirements 6
4 Safety Requirements
Bef re the first use f the PVPM read this manual carefully and c mpletely. It c ntains imp rtant hints t av id
damage t pers ns r the measuring device. These hints are emphasized by a frame ar und the text and
sh uld be paid attenti n t .
References in this d cument, which c ncern security matters, are indicated by a frame. Damages due t the
neglecti n f the references in this d cument are excluded fr m the warranty. N warranty at all is guaranteed
f r c nsequential damages.
The pr gram PVPM.disp requires a PC with hard disk and MS Wind ws NT r higher and a m use p inting
device. The c nnecti n f the PVPM requires a free RS232 serial interface. Please be sure that this interface
has n interrupt c nflicts with ther devices in the PC.
If n serial interface is available at the PC, the PVPM can be attached t the PC with the help f a c mmercial
USB t serial c nverter.
The required free space n the hard disk bef re installing PVPM.disp is ab ut 5 MB. Please be sure later n
that there is en ugh free space n the hard disk bef re st ring measured data.
Attenti n: F r the purp se f data security we w uld like t p int ut the imp rtance f saving the database
f the pr gram regularly n an ther data medium, s in the event f damage y u will be able t c ntinue
w rking with ut c nsiderable data l ss. Such a damage can n t be excluded even under the present state-
f-the-art. Please d n t rest re single data files, but always the c mplete data back-up f the pr gram,
therwise y u might cause malfuncti n, this in turn might lead t data l ss! In case f d ubt please c ntact
the distribut r r the pr ducer.
! WARNINGS !
To disregard the following information can lead to severe injury and even entail a peril to
life
CAUTION! 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.
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4Safety 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 PVPM1000C40)! 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.
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5Operati n f the PVPM 8
5 Operation of the PVPM
5.1Operating and connection elements
1. Test butt n f r battery charge c ntr l (w rking nly with lead acid battery)
2. On/Off switch
3. Status indicat r lamps
4. LC display
5. C ntr l butt ns
6. Temperature measuring input Pt100 r Pt1000 (depending n m del)
7. .Irradiati n r c mbined irradiati n and temperature input (depending n m del)
8. Serial interface RS-232 t the PC
9. F ur-wire measuring c nnect r (v ltage)
10. F ur-wire measuring c nnect r (current)
11. External v ltage supply/battery charge at left side f the PVPM
Fig.: Sens r c nnect rs until 2003 (left) , 2003 - 2008 (middle), scince 2008 (right )
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5Operati n f the PVPM 9
5.2General Hints
The PVPM, as nearly all electr nic measuring device, can nly perate in a defined temperature range (see
appendix). That is why the PVPM sh uld n t be exp sed t direct sunlight ver a l nger peri d f time. Keep
the device in a shady place r pr tect it fr m direct sunlight using a sunshade.
The standard versi n f the PVPM cann t be integrated int ther devices r e.g. brackets. It is very imp rtant
that the air can m ve free ar und the case s that a pr per c ling is guaranteed! Only if the PVPM is
c mpletely ut f perati n (even n charging) it may be stacked.
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 4)
The fr nt panel f the PVPM is rather r ugh, but y u sh uld handle it with care anyway. T av id damage f the
fr nt panel please take n tice f the f ll wing hints:
D n t t uch the fr nt panel with a sharp r p inted bject. This c uld f rce scratches and might even
destr y the f il especially in the regi ns with switches in the back.
Clean the surface with a s ft and damp tissue. D n t use materials that can scratch, especially n the
c ver f the display. A scratched display c ver will dramatically affect the display quality.
The case is n t water pr fed. D n t exp se the PVPM directly t influence f water, rain r similar.
F r a g d measuring quality the sun irradiance during the measurement sh uld be ab ve 500 W/m2.
Measurements are p ssible bel w this irradiance value, but less precise and meaningful.
5.3Connecting Peripheral Devices
F r an I-V-curve measurement the f ll wing c mp nents are necessary:
Peak p wer measuring device PVPM (measurement f I-V-curve, display f results)
Ph x irradiance sens r with Pt100/Pt1000 temperature sens r
external security switch 1000V / 32A (see chapter 6)
f c urse the m dule t be measured and the cable c nnecti n between PV m dule and PVPM
pti nal: External PC f r the perati n f the measurement and evaluati n f the measured data
The PVPM is equipped with the f ll wing input/ utput interfaces (y u will find all interfaces besides the p wer
supply at the fr nt panel, they are all marked):
Interface Functi n
P wer supply At the left side f the PVPM, input 16Vdc
Temperature (External) temperature sens r
Irradiance C mbined sens r irradiance / Pt1000 temperature
4-wire-measurement V ltage input (m dule under test)
Current input Current input (m dule under test)
PC Serial c nnecti n t PC (AT Cr ss cable 9-Pin)
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5Operati n f the PVPM 10
5.4Power Supply
The PVPM c ntains an accumulat r which let it bec me independent fr m mains grid p wer supply. The
accumulat r can be charged by the external p wer supply and an integrated charge unit. After c nnecting the
external p wer supply t the left side f the PVPM case the accumulat r is l aded aut matically. The l ading
state is displayed by a LED at the fr nt panel f the device.
5.5Connecting a PC
The PVPM can perate independent fr m an external PC. F r an extended evaluati n f the measured data r
just f r c ntr lling the PVPM fr m a PC y u can c nnect the PC t the PVPM with the delivered cable (USB A –
Mini B). Attach this cable t a free USB p rt f y ur PC and t the “PC” c nnect r f the PVPM.
Cauti n: bef re y u can c ntr l the PVPM fr m a PC with PVPM.disp it is necessary t select the menu pti n
“transfer” n the PVPM. Otherwise the PVPM will n t listen t the serial p rt and the PC can n t access the
device.
5.6Connecting the Solar Generator
Important: during an I-V-curve measurement the s lar generat r under test must be disc nnected fr m all
ther devices like batteries, inverters r l ads. During the measurement the PVPM will sh rt circuit the s lar
generat r f r s me sec nds and it might be damaged by still c nnected batteries r l ad capacities f the
inverter!
C nnect the PVPM pr perly t the s lar generat r using the cables delivered with the PVPM. The plus pole is
marked RED, the minus pole is marked B ACK!
Assure that all connectors of the power measuring cables are pushed in completely (until stop) into
the sockets.
F r lder, n t yet serviced PVPMs: When c nnected with wr ng p larity the s lar generat r is in sh rt circuit
thr ugh the safety di des integrated in PVPM (than n measurement f current is p ssible). This c nditi n must
n t be kept f r m re than ne minute, else the measuring amplifier may verheat. Newer r serviced PVPMs
have an inverse-p larity pr tecti n di de that prevents this pr blem.
It is imp rtant, that all 4 plugs f the 4-wire-measurement are c nnected pr perly by the delivered 4-wire-cable
r (if y u d n’t want a 4-wire-measurement) the tw red plugs sh uld be c nnected and the tw black plugs as
well. Use standard sh rt circuit plugs (19mm) r lab rat ry cables f r this purp se. With ut this c nnecti n a
measurement is n t p ssible!
Cauti n: keep a sufficient distance t p wer leading parts f the cables between s lar generat r and
measuring device. These cables may lead high tensi n what may affect y ur health even with ut direct
c ntact!
5.7Connecting the Combination Sensor
F r a measurement y u must c nnect a Pt100/Pt1000 temperature sens r and a Ph x irradiance sens r
(delivered as a c mbined device) t the relevant plug(s) f the PVPM. F r just the measurement f serial
resistance Rs r I-V-curve these sens rs are bs lete. The plugs are build in a way with prevents y u fr m
c nnecting a sens r t a wr ng plug.
The c mbined Ph x/Pt1000 sens r sh uld be m unted near the m dules t be measured. It must have exactly
the same rientati n (elevati n and azimuth) regarding the sun as the m dules have. M st time the easiest way
is the direct assembly t the m dule frame. Please take care that the sens r will dr p n shad w t the m dule!
The sens r needs several minutes t adapt t the envir nment c nditi ns: the reference cell firstly sh uld reach
the temperature f the m dule, bef re y u can start t measure I-V-curves with the PVPM (see chap.5.10).
F r this reas n the sens r sh uld n t be set up far away fr m the m dules (e.g. m dules n the r f, sens r in
the yard). Since the s lar cells d n t react nly t the direct irradiati n, but als t light reflected in the
envir nment, the sens r can p ssibly n tice different light intensity in the same rientati n f sens r and
m dules and s falsify the results f the measurement.
In the simplest case the sens r is fastened with a clamp t the m dules under test. Pay attenti n that the
sens r d es n t shad w the m dules under test! The sens r sh uld have s me time in rder t adapt t the
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5Operati n f the PVPM 11
site c nditi ns. At PVPM devices that have n sec nd temperature measuring input the sens r must
appr ximately reach the temperature f the m dule under test (the temperatures are readable n the display f
the running PVPM). F r security reas ns we rec mmend t check the backsurface temperature f the m dule
under test additi nally manually e.g. with an infrared therm meter. N w a measurement with the PVPM can be
carried ut (s. als chapter 8).
5.8Switching-on
Switch the p wer f PVPM n by pushing the trigger switch “P wer” at the fr nt panel f r appr x. 1 sec nd
(push it again t p wer the device ff again). The indicat r light “On” will sh w y u the presence f p wer fr m
the accumulat r r an external p wer supply. The PVPM will n w pass s me self tests and will be ready after
ab ut 10-15 sec nds f perati n. The device is ready when the main menu appears n the LCD-screen.
Lamps n fr nt panel:: see chapter 17.1
The PVPM rep rts several system c nditi ns, functi ns and err rs by speaker signals. A list f signals y u will
find in the appendix.
When the device signales readiness, y u can start a new measurement.
Only devices with Li-I n battery:
●The device will p wer ff aut matically, if the battery v ltage bec mes t l w. Recharge the battery bef re
y u use the device again. Cauti n: charging is nly all wed in the temperature range between 0°C and
40°C. If the battery temperature is utside this range, charging will n t pr ceed.
●If the battery v ltage bec mes l wer and the device estimates an perati n time left f less than 30
minutes, the LED „State f charge“ will blink red.
●The battery then sh uld be charged within sh rt time r the device sh uld be p wered externally.
5.9Keys
5.9.1 Test
The “Test” key is used t visualize the state f charge f the accumulat r with the fr nt panel LEDs when the
device is n t perating. Y u sh uld d this regular t av id damage f the accumulat r thr ugh inevitable self
discharge. Charge the PVPM c mpletely at least nce a m nth even if y u d n’t use the device.
5.9.2 ESC
The “ESC” key will bring y u up t the next higher menu level.
5.9.3 HOME
The “HOME” key will bring y u up t the main menu.
5.9.4 ENTER
With the “ENTER” key y u select an pti n r c nfirm.
5.9.5 Arrow keys
Y u can m ve the mark in menus and ther lists using the arr w keys.
5.10 Measurement
Please pay attenti n t the safety hints in chapters 4+5 and fact rs affecting measurement accuracy in chapter
6.
The measurement can be started fr m the PVPM r fr m a c nnected PC (see chapter 10). The measurement
sh uld n t be started bef re the s lar generat r and the necessary sens rs are c nnected pr perly. The I-V-
curve measurement will take up t 2 sec nds, than the calculated results will be displayed immediately n the
PVPMs display ( r n the PC).
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5Operati n f the PVPM 12
5.11 Menus
On the display f the PVPM vertical and h riz ntal menus may
appear. The handling is same f r b th: ch se an pti n with the
arr w keys, select it with “Enter” key. The “H me” key will bring y u
back t the main menu, “ESC” key back t the next higher menu
level.
5.11.1 Menu „New measurement“
Brings y u t the sub menu:
5.11.1.1Menu “Start measurement”
A single measurement is made and the results like Ppk and
Rs will be calculated and displayed at nce. The data is
st red permanently and aut matically. The I-V-curve can
be displayed n the graphical display immediately.
5.11.1.2 Meas. series
The “measurement series” was implemented t all w marginal structuring f the measured data. Due t the
lack f a alphanumerical keyb ard n additi nal data can be added t the measurements. The “measurement
series” n w all ws t assign a number t the measurements. S y u can rganize datasets that bel ng t gether
(f r example fr m ne m dule) with the same “measurement series” index. In the menu “Service” y u can reset
the bject index t 1.
5.11.2 Menu „Stored meas.“
This functi n enables y u t recall a f rmer
aut matically st red measurement fr m the internal
st rage (as l ng as y u n t already deleted the
dataset). The datasets are displayed in a list identified
by the date and time f the measurement. L cate a
dataset with the arr w keys, select the dataset with
“Enter”. If m re than ne page f datasets can be
displayed y u can select ther pages with the keys
“Left” and “Right”.
N w a menu with “Display”, “Delete” and “Ab rt”
appears. “Display” will again sh w the results f this
measurement n the display, “Delete” will delete the dataset fr m internal st rage (cauti n: y u cann t und this
perati n!), “Ab rt” brings y u back t the main menu.
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5Operati n f the PVPM 13
5.11.3 Menu „Transfer“
This functi n all ws the perati n f the PVPM by a c nnected
external PC (see als chapter 10). Terminate this functi n by
pressing the ESC key.
5.11.4 Menu „Service“
Brings up t the f ll wing sub menu:
5.11.4.1Menu “Select sens r”
Y u can select ne f the sens rs that are defined in the sens r
database (see chapter 10.3.4).
5.11.4.2Disp. c ntrast
Newer PVPM devices all ws the c ntr l f the c ntrast v ltage f the LC display by s ftware. S the quality f
the presentati n e.g. under sunlight can be ptimized.
5.11.4.3Menu “Reset bj. index
Here y u can reset the bject index t a value f 1.
5.11.4.4Menu Set Date/Time”
Here y u can set date and time f the internal cl ck f the PVPM1000C, but it will be much m re simple t d
this with the pr gram PVPM.disp (see chapter 10).
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5Operati n f the PVPM 14
5.12 Messages
Message: Description:
'Serial error' An error in the serial connection between PVPM and PC ocurred
'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 see 5.11.1.2)
'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 ocurred 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!
'Service required!' The device is damaged internally and requires test and repair through authorised 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
Operati n manual f r PVPM devices PV-Engineering GmbH

6External Security Switch 1000V / 25A 15
6 External Security Switch 1000V / 25A
Use this switch t disc nnect the PVPM fr m the PV p wer bef re c nnecting r disc nnecting the measuring
cables t /fr m the PVPM. This av ids damages f y ur wn health r the PVPM.
Handling:
Turn the knob at the switch in a neutral position “0” (both “0” positions are equal).
Put the measuring cable delivered with the PVPM as far as p ssible t the s ckets at the switch h using, red
c nnect rs t red s ckets and black c nnect rs t black s ckets. Y u can reverse the tw red c nnect rs
with ut harm, the tw black nes as well. N w c nnect the cables m unted at the switch t the PVPM (red t
red, black t black).
Bef re y u can make a measurement y u have t turn the kn b at the switch t ne f the “1” p siti ns. After
the measurement turn the switch again in position „0 “! Afterwards the wiring at the PVPM can be rem ved
safely.
Security advice
CAUTION: 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.
Operati n manual f r PVPM devices PV-Engineering GmbH

7Impacts n the accuracy f the measurement 16
7 Impacts on the accuracy of the measurement
Be sure, that there is n shad w (even n t the smallest) affecting the m dule under test. Even the shad w f
grass may cause an err r! This is als true f r the reference sens r. Please c nsider that als a c ntaminati n
f the m dules bec mes effective as shading.
The higher the irradiance t the m dule, the m re exact will be the result. The irradiance measured by the
c mbined sens r sh uld be higher than 500 W/m2 f r g d results.
The c mbined Ph x/Pt1000 sens r measures the irradiance and the cell temperature at the back side f the
irradiance reference cell. If n external temperatur sens r f r the measurement f the back side temperature f
the m dule under test is available the PVPM expects the temperature f the reference cell t be nearly the
same as that f the measured m dule. This will be true with sufficient precisi n if the reference cell and the PV
m dule were exp sed t the sunlight f r same peri d f time (at least 15 minutes).In additi n bef re a
measurement m dules and reference cell sh uld be exp sed directly aligned t the sun f r m re than 15
minutes. F r sureness the backsurface temperature f the m dule sh uld be additi nally checked bef re the I-
V-curve measurement e.g. with an infrared therm meter.
The angle f the m dule regarding the sun sh uld be in an range f 10° regarding the right angle between
sunlight and m dule surface. Very imp rtant is a sufficient irradiance t the m dule and precise alignment f the
reference cell t wards the m dule. Often the easiest way is t clip the c mbined sens r directly t the side r
t p f the frame f the measured m dule. H wever the sens r may als be installed in s me distance t the
m dule if y u can grant the c rrect alignment and the sens r d es “see” the same light as the m dule.
Principally the irradiance reference must have the same spectral behavi r than the m dule under test
(acc rding t IEC 60904). It is p ssible t use a m dule like that under test as irradiance reference: the m dule
will be sh rt circuited by a small precisi n shunt resist r which will perate the m dule near the Isc . The v ltage
at the shunt resist r is pr p rti nal t the Isc and s t the irradiance. That is h w m st irradiance reference
sens rs w rk.
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!
Y u can enhance the precisi n f the PVPM results by measuring the same bject several times (e.g. 5 times)
and after that d a statistical evaluati n n these results.
Given bel w are nce m re the parameters, that are decisive f r the accuracy f the measurements:
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7Impacts n the accuracy f the measurement 17
Accuracy of the peak power calculations from I-V characteristics of PV generators
with the PVPM
Under f ll wing c nstraints the peak p wer results f the PVPM have an accuracy f +/- 5% relating t the
actual peak p wer value f the device under test:
●The device under test c nsists f m n - r p lycristalline silic n cells
●The device under test is n t (n t even slightly) shad wed
●The irradiati n reference sens r is n t (n t even slightly) shad wed
●The irradiati n reference sens r must have largely the same spectral sensitivity as the tested device
●The measurement has t be carried ut under natural sunlight
●Acc rding t IEC60904 the sun has t stand within +/- 10° at right angle t the active surface f the device
under test
●Acc rding t IEC60904 an irradiati n f at least 800W/m² is required. On the basis f c mparative
measurements we f und 600W/m² t be sufficient f r the PVPM
●The measurement f the irradiati n has t take place immediately bef re/after that f the I-V characteristic,
the time-lag between measurement f characteristic and irradiati n sh uld be less than 1ms.
●The measured value f the irradiati n reference sens r has t be adjusted with the measured temperature f
the reference cell
●The measurement f the cell temperature has t take place immediately bef re/after the measurement f
the characteristic within 1sec nd and an accurateness f 1K
●The active surface f the device under test must lie in-plane with the irradiati n reference sens r (within +/-
1-2°)
●Bef re the measurement f the I-V characteristic the irradiati n has t be c nstant en ugh (+/-10W/m²) f r
at least 10 sec nds , in that way misinterpretati ns f the temperature f tested device and reference sens r
can be av ided
●The irradiati n must n t vary m re than 10W/m² during the measurement (PVPM will cauti n the user in this
case)
●The temperature f the device under test and the reference sens r has g t t be balanced (n alterati n f
temperature may be indicated)
●Current and v ltage f the device under test are measured with distinct measuring lines (f ur-wire
measurement)
Operati n manual f r PVPM devices PV-Engineering GmbH

8Installati n f the Transfer S ftware PVPM.disp 18
8 Installation of the Transfer Software PVPM.disp
PVPM.disp is delivered n a CD-ROM r a c mparable st rage medium and available by d wnl ad at www.pv-
e.de. The medium c ntains a setup pr gram f r easy installati n f the s ftware n t y ur PC. The setup
pr gram will c py all necessary files t y ur hard disk and initializes the pr gram. The installati n can be
perf rmed by every pers n with basic experience f PC and MS Wind ws®.
F r the installati n f the s ftware perhaps administrat r rights are required
F r the installati n the f ll wing steps are necessary:
1. Insert the CD-ROM with the setup applicati n int the appr priate drive f y ur PC .
2. If the setup applicati n starts aut matically after inserting the CD-ROM, c ntinue with 4.
3. Under “Start” select menu pti n “Execute”In the n w appearing edit line under “Open” enter “x:setup” (were
x is the drive letter f the installati n media. Press ENTER n w r click the Ok-Butt n.
4. N w the setup pr gram will be executed. F ll w the messages n the screen.
5. Setup n w c pies all necessary files t y ur hard disk and will create a new pr gram gr up f r PVPM.disp..
6. After c mpleting the installati n please execute PVPM.disp. The pr gram sh uld n w w rk as described in
the f ll wing text.
The perati n f the pr gram will be pr fessed detailed in chapter 10 .
F r the perati n f the pr gram these files are necessary:
{pr gram} \ PVPMdisp Pr gram file and additi nally files required f r the
perati n f the applicati n (eg language files)
{c mm n} appdata \ PV Engineering \ PVPMdisp C nfigurati n and the database files
{user d cs} \ PVPMdisp Sample and measured data
The pr gram will create files with the extensi n .SUI, which c ntains measured data fr m an I-V-measurement.
When these files were created aut matically during a data transfer fr m PVPM t PC the file name will c ntain
the date and time f the measurement. A typical file name c uld be 24-05-01 14_17_04.SUI, this file
c ntains data fr m a measurement made May 24., 2001 at 2:17:04pm.
The measuring data are usually st red in files bel w “My D cuments\PVPMdisp\”.
Operati n manual f r PVPM devices PV-Engineering GmbH

9Installing the USB device driver 19
9 Installing the USB device driver
9.1Installation with „New hardware found“
We n w will describe the installati n f the USB driver f r the virtual COM-p rt using the example f Wind ws
XP.:
➔Y u will find the device driver n the installati n CD-ROM in a direct ry „x:\CDM nnnnn“. Here x: means
the CD-ROM drive c ntaining the installati n CD and nnnnn the versi n number f the USB driver. The
newest driver y u will find always n the website f FTDI (www.ftdichip.c m).
➔If y u use Wind ws XP r Wind ws XP SP1 y u sh uld disc nnect the internet c nnecti n temp rary.
Y u can c nnect the netw rk again after finishing the installati n.
➔This will n t be necessary f r Wind ws XP SP2, if this is c nfigured t ask bef re it c nnects t
Wind ws Update.
➔C nnect the PVPM t a free USB p rt f y ur PC and switch it n. After s me sec nds the dial gue
“New hardware f und” will appear.
➔If there is n internet c nnecti n r if Wind ws XP SP2 is c nfigured acc rdingly y u will be asked as in
Figure 10.1 bef re a c nnecti n t Wind ws Update will be made.
Select “N , n t this time” and click n “Next”.
Figure 10.1
➔Select “Install fr m a list r specific l cati n” as displayed in Figure 10.2 bel w and click n “Next”
Operati n manual f r PVPM devices PV-Engineering GmbH

9Installing the USB device driver 20
Figure 10.2
Figure 10.3
➔Select “Search f r the best driver in these l cati ns” and enter the direct ry with the driver files in the
c mb b x (e.g. "D:\CDM 2.02.04"), r search f r it by pressing the butt n “Br wse”. If the direct ry is
entered click “Next”, t c ntinue.
➔
➔If Wind ws is c nfigured t warn, if a n t WHQL certified driver is t be installed, an warning message
will appear n w. Click t “C ntinue anyway” and c ntinue the installati n.
Operati n manual f r PVPM devices PV-Engineering GmbH