Surge Protectors for Photovoltaic system

In order to prevent damage to the sudden surge and lightning strikes the solar photovoltaic system it is a must surge arrester systems under IEC 62305-5 Standard. Long-term receipt of all necessary protection measures in order to produce a desired energy output of the system is planned as an investment are the main issues that investors are often neglected.

Direct ligthning strike on the structure EN 62305-x series Standard

• Surge voltages

Coming through the AC network Due to the lightning activity and/or Switching operations.

• Surge voltages

Due to lightning strikes near the buildings or the PV installation, For on the lightning rods of the buildings.

• Surge voltages

Generated by electromagnetic Coupling of the electrical field Created by the ligthning activity on AC and DC networks.

To take care about the important issue of damages due to surge voltages, European standard organization (CENELEC) has published a complete set of technical documents.  The CENELEC Guide CLC/TS 50539-12 describes the general approach for Efficient surge protection of a Grid-connected PV installation.

The mains difference between AC power SPDs and PV SPD is related to the behaviour in case of end of life.

In order to define the relevant surge protector adapted to PV line, EN50539-11 standard specifies 2 dedicated tests :

• Overload Behaviour testing
• Ageing testing in humidity chamber