To meet the growing needs of technicians in the industry who install solar equipment, it is essential to have the right tools to meet the testing and maintenance requirements of these systems.
Installation, Operation, Maintenance
In North America, networks are designed and installed to be used on rooftops with voltages up to 1,000 Vdc and ground-mounted systems with voltages up to 1,500 Vdc. Many of these systems are installed and interconnected with the utility at the distribution and transmission levels.
To meet the growing needs of technicians in the industry who install these systems, it is essential to have the right tools to meet the testing and maintenance requirements of these systems. Field technicians need easy-to-use tools when working on photovoltaic systems. These devices must also provide system owners and operators with the necessary information to maintain their investment. They should also be usable in all phases of installation, operation, and maintenance, regardless of the size of the photovoltaic field.
Performance Verification of Arrays
To properly verify the performance of a solar panel, various tests need to be performed, and data points need to be collected. One of the most important tests a PV system must undergo is verifying its proper operation. Since the output voltage of PV modules depends on temperature, it is important for technicians to have a tool with a temperature probe to measure the operating temperature of the modules. Megger's digital clamp meter, the DCM1500S, includes this temperature probe along with standard probes, crocodile clips, and PV-specific MC4 cables. It has measurement capabilities up to 2,000 Vdc and 1,000 Vac, non-contact voltage detection, and Bluetooth communication and logging.
Measuring the intensity of sunlight hitting the solar panels is also essential to know if the system is operating correctly. The amount of current a PV module can produce is directly proportional to the irradiance hitting the panel. This measurement is essential to validate the performance of a PV system, so it is important to test this value. Technicians must be able to correlate the array's production with the irradiation to make accurate performance calculations. Megger's PVM210 can be used in conjunction with the DCM1500S's ammeter function to quickly measure this value.
Maintenance of Your PV System
Tools are not only used for the installation and operation of your solar system. Operators and maintenance teams must rely on these same tools, as well as others, to troubleshoot issues within the photovoltaic panels. Field technicians should use a good thermal camera to identify potential problems in the photovoltaic field or any electrical equipment inside where poor connections can cause performance issues or fires. Megger offers a handheld device with a temperature range from -20°C to 300°C, making it a valuable asset to discover hot spots inside individual modules that have failed in the junction boxes of the modules and poor electrical connections. The handheld device, TC3231, is easy to use and allows the technician to maintain a safe distance from the components being tested.
Hazard Detection
Another important aspect of solar applications is ensuring there are no ground faults due to damaged wires. This test can be performed using an insulation tester and should be carried out before energizing your installation during commissioning, as well as during routine maintenance checks to monitor the integrity of your conductors.
The Megger MIT2500 measures voltage, resistance, and capacitance to help quickly detect ground faults and avoid significant delays or costly damage such as shocks or fires. This tester has a wide range of test voltages from 50 to 2500 V, making it ideal for use with PV systems.
Photovoltaic solar installations are becoming more common. Individuals are increasingly working on these systems, installing and maintaining them. The Megger Solar Kit can help technicians and electricians working on PV systems do their job safely and efficiently.