1、Designation: E1597 10Standard Test Method forSaltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing ofPhotovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1597; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in t
2、he case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This test method provides a procedure for determiningthe ability of photovoltaic modu
3、les to withstand repeatedimmersion or splash exposure by seawater as might be encoun-tered when installed in a marine environment, such as afloating aid-to-navigation. A combined environmental cyclingexposure with modules repeatedly submerged in simulatedsaltwater at varying temperatures and under r
4、epetitive pressur-ization provides an accelerated basis for evaluation of agingeffects of a marine environment on module materials andconstruction.1.2 This test method defines photovoltaic module test speci-mens and requirements for positioning modules for test,references suitable methods for determ
5、ining changes in elec-trical performance and characteristics, and specifies parameterswhich must be recorded and reported.1.3 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels.The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results isbeyond the scope of this test method.1.4 The values stated i
6、n SI units are to be regarded asstandard. No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and hea
7、lth practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1141 Practice for the Preparation of Substitute OceanWaterE772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy ConversionE1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-cent
8、rator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and ArraysUsing Reference CellsE1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar EnergyConversionE1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and GroundPath Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules3. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsDefinitions of terms used in this testmetho
9、d may be found in Terminology E772 and TerminologyE1328.3.2 Definition of Term Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 PIT, nPressure, Immersion, and Temperature.4. Significance and Use4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules deployed inmarine applications (such as floating aids-to-navigation) maydepend
10、on the ability to withstand repeated exposure to saltatmosphere, immersion in seawater, and the temperaturechanges associated with seawater splash falling on modulesoperating in sunlight. The effects of these exposures may bephysical or electrical changes in the module, or both.4.2 This test method
11、describes a procedure for positioningthe test specimen, conducting a cyclical combined pressure,immersion, and temperature (PIT) test, and reporting theresults. It also references methods for conducting moduleelectrical performance and insulation integrity tests.4.3 Data generated by this test metho
12、d may be used toevaluate and compare the effects of a simulated marineenvironment on test specimens. This test method requiresrecording of visible effects as well as electrical performance.4.3.1 Effects on modules may vary from none to significantchanges. Some physical changes in the module may be v
13、isiblewhen there are no apparent electrical changes in the module.Similarly, electrical changes may occur with no visible changesin the module.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility o
14、fSubcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.Current edition approved June 1, 2010. Published July 2010. Originally approvedin 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E1597-05. DOI: 10.1520/E1597-10.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcon
15、tact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.5. Apparatus5.1 In ad
16、dition to the apparatus required for Test MethodsE1036 and Test Method E1462, the following apparatus isrequired.5.1.1 PIT ChamberA thermally insulated, pressure-resistant test apparatus with a main chamber of sufficientvolume to submerge the test modules in simulated seawatersolution. A means of pr
17、essurizing the chamber with com-pressed air to 35 kPa is required. Two secondary holding tanksare required for storing prescribed volumes of simulatedseawater solution maintained at low temperature, 6 6 3C, andhigh temperature, 45 6 5C, respectively.Auxiliary pumps andvalves for transferring solutio
18、ns between the holding tanks andthe testing chamber are also needed. All equipment shall beconstructed from corrosion resistant materials. Baffles or dif-fusers shall be employed to prevent mechanical shock to thetest samples while pumping simulated seawater.6. Procedure6.1 Test Lot SelectionSelect
19、a minimum of four modulesconsidered to be representative of the type to be tested. Reserveone of the four modules as a control sample. If the lotrepresents more than one size of modules employing the sameencapsulation system design, at least two modules of each sizeshall be tested. No disassembly, a
20、lteration of, or modificationto the samples or any part thereof shall be permitted during thetest sequence.6.2 Electrical Tests Perform the following electrical testson all samples, including the control, prior to the PIT cyclingtests:6.2.1 Electrical PerformanceMeasure and record theelectrical perf
21、ormance of each module. An acceptable methodfor non-concentrator modules is Test Methods E1036.6.2.2 Ground Path Continuity TestTest any module with agrounding terminal to determine the maximum resistancebetween the grounding terminal or lead and any accessibleconductive part using 7.3 of Test Metho
22、d E1462.6.2.3 Insulation Current Leakage TestSubject each mod-ule to a test of the electrical isolation capability according to7.1 of Test Method E1462.6.2.4 Insulation Resistance TestMeasure the insulationresistance of each module using 7.2 of Test Method E1462.6.3 Visual Inspection:6.3.1 Visually
23、inspect each module to determine the pres-ence or absence of defects or anomalies. Such anomalies ordefects may include delaminations or voids, discolorations,corrosion, or cracks in any part of the assembly. Considerdefects to be any obvious deviations from acceptable appear-ance, as defined by the
24、 user of the test method.6.3.2 Record the results of the visual examination usingphotographs or a diagram of the specimen, or both, showingthe location and type of defect.6.4 Sample Installation in PIT ChamberProvide each testsample with a means of sealing any open junction box fittingsor feedthroug
25、hs if equipped with pigtails. Position the modulein the test chamber. Extend any module electrical leads abovethe maximum expected saltwater depth.6.5 Simulated Seawater PreparationPrepare a simulatedseawater solution of sufficient quantity to fill both holdingtanks. An acceptable solution consists
26、of a mixture of 3.63 kgof dry sea salt for every 94.6 litres of tap water, as inSpecification D1141. The relative density of the solutionshould be 1.025 6 0.005 at 15C. Adjust and maintain thesolution temperatures in the two holding tanks to 6 6 3C and45 6 5C, respectively.6.6 Test Sequence:6.6.1 Pu
27、mp the hot seawater solution into the PIT chamberuntil the test samples are submerged. The pumping time shallbe 3 6 1 min.6.6.2 Pressurize the PIT chamber with compressed air to 356 1 kPa and hold for a minimum of 3 min.6.6.3 Depressurize the chamber to atmospheric pressure andhold for a minimum of
28、2 min.6.6.4 Repeat 6.6.2 and 6.6.3 for a total of five pressurizationcycles.6.6.5 Pump the hot seawater solution out of the PIT cham-ber and into the hot holding tank. The pumping time shall be 36 1 min.6.6.6 Pump the cold seawater solution into the PIT chamberuntil the test samples are submerged. T
29、he pumping time shallbe 3 6 1 min.6.6.7 Repeat 6.6.2 and 6.6.3.6.6.8 Pump the cold seawater solution out of the PITchamber and into the cold holding tank. The pumping timeshall be 3 6 1 min.6.6.9 Repeat 6.6.1 through 6.6.8 for a total of 500 hot-coldPIT cycles.6.7 Remove the test samples from the PI
30、T chamber and drythe external surfaces of the modules. Only towel drying byblotting, or free air drying of the samples shall be permitted.Compressed air, heated air, scrubbing with a towel, or othermethods of drying the modules is not permitted.6.8 Within 1 h after removal from the PIT chamber, repe
31、atthe insulation current leakage (6.2.3) and the insulation resis-tance (6.2.4) tests on all modules.6.9 Rinse the samples with tap water to remove any en-crusted salt and dry the external surfaces, adhering to theprovisions of 6.7.6.10 Repeat the ground path continuity (6.2.2) and electricalperform
32、ance (6.2.1) tests on all modules.6.11 Repeat the visual inspection (6.3) of all modules.7. Report7.1 The test report shall include the following informationas a minimum:7.1.1 Module fabrication,7.1.2 Description of module construction,7.1.3 A line drawing or photograph of the module showingthe orie
33、ntation during testing and the location of temperaturesensing devices,7.1.4 Description of electrical measurement equipment, andmeasurement conditions or parameters,7.1.5 Description of any apparent changes due to testing,with sketches or photographs,E1597 1027.1.6 Results of changes between pre- an
34、d post-testingelectrical tests, if any, including comparison to control sampletest results,7.1.7 A brief description of the PIT chamber used and exactnumber of PIT cycles performed, and7.1.8 Any deviations from the standard test procedure, suchas interruptions.8. Precision and Bias8.1 The environmen
35、tal exposures described by this testmethod do not produce numeric results which would be subjectto ASTM procedures for evaluating the precision and bias ofthe method. However, the precision and bias of the electricalperformance measurements, when performed in accordancewith Test Methods E1036, are s
36、ubject to the provisions of thatdocument.9. Keywords9.1 corrosion; energy; environmental; immersion; modules;photovoltaics; pressure; saltwater; solar; temperatureASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this s
37、tandard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the riskof infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be re
38、viewed every five years andif not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standardsand should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of therespons
39、ible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you shouldmake your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West
40、Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or serviceastm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the ASTM website (www.astm.org/COPYRIGHT/).E1597 103
