1、Designation: E 1830 04Standard Test Methods forDetermining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1830; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last re
2、vision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determiningthe ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand the mechanicalloads, str
3、esses and deflections used to simulate, on an acceler-ated basis, high wind conditions, heavy snow and ice accumu-lation, and non-planar installation effects.1.1.1 A static load test to 2400 Pa (50 lbf ft2) is used tosimulate wind loads on both module surfaces1.1.2 A static load test to 5400 Pa (113
4、 lbf ft2) is used tosimulate heavy snow and ice accumulation on the module frontsurface.1.1.3 A twist test is used to simulate the non-planar mount-ing of a photovoltaic module by subjecting it to a twist angleof 1.2(14 in. per ft).1.1.4 A cyclic load test of 10 000 cycles duration and peakloading t
5、o 1440 Pa (30 lbf ft2) is used to simulate dynamicwind or flex-type loading which might occur at highway speedsfor photovoltaic modules mounted, for example, on a truck,recreational vehicle, or trailer.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard. The values given in parenthes
6、es are provided forinformation purposes only.1.3 These test methods define photovoltaic test specimensand mounting methods, and specify parameters that must berecorded and reported.1.4 Any individual mechanical test may be performedsingly, or may be combined into a test sequence with othermechanical
7、 or nonmechanical tests, or both. Certain precondi-tioning test methods such as annealing or light soaking mayalso be necessary or desirable as a part of such a sequence.However, the determination of such test sequencing andpreconditioning is beyond the scope of these test methods.1.5 These test met
8、hods do not establish pass or fail levels.The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results isbeyond the scope of these test methods.1.6 These test methods do not apply to concentrator mod-ules.1.7 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.1.8 The following precautionary caveat pertains o
9、nly to thehazards portion, Section 6, and the warning statements, 7.5.3.2and 7.6.3.2, of these test methods. This standard does notpurport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associatedwith its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standardto establish appropriate safety and h
10、ealth practices anddetermine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior touse.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E 772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy ConversionE 1036/E 1036M Test Methods for Electrical Performanceof Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules andArrays Usi
11、ng Reference CellsE 1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar EnergyConversionE 1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and GroundPath Continuity of Photovoltaic ModulesE 1799 Practice for Visual Inspection of Photovoltaic Mod-ules3. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsDefinitions of terms used in th
12、ese testmethods may be found in Terminology E 772 and TerminologyE 1328.4. Significance and Use4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules may depend ontheir ability to withstand periodic exposure to high wind forces,cyclic wind loads induced by vehicular motions, high loadscaused by accumulated sno
13、w and ice on the module surface,and twisting deflections caused by mounting to non-planarsurfaces or structures. The effects on the module may be1These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 onSolar, Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the directresponsibil
14、ity of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.Current edition approved March 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originallyapproved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E183001.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Custom
15、er Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandardsvolume 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.physical or electrical, or both. Most
16、importantly, the effectsmay compromise the safety of the module, particularly in highvoltage applications, or where the public may be exposed tobroken glass or other debris.4.2 These test methods describe procedures for mountingthe test specimen, conducting the prescribed mechanical tests,and report
17、ing the effects of the testing.4.2.1 The mounting and fastening method shall comply withthe manufacturers recommendations as closely as possible. Ifslots or multiple mounting holes are provided on the moduleframe for optional mounting point capability, the worst-casemounting positions shall be selec
18、ted in order to subject themodule to the maximum stresses.4.2.2 If an unframed module is being tested, the moduleshall be mounted in strict accordance with the manufacturersinstructions using the recommended attachment clips, brackets,fasteners or other hardware, and tightened to the specifiedtorque
19、.4.2.3 The test specimen is mounted on a test base in a planarmanner (unless specified otherwise), simulating a field mount-ing arrangement in order to ensure that modules are tested in aconfiguration that is representative of their use in the field.4.2.4 During the twist test, the module is mounted
20、 in amanner simulating a non-planar field mounting where one ofthe fastening points is displaced to create an intentional twist of1.2.4.3 Data obtained during testing may be used to evaluateand compare the effects of the simulated environments on thetest specimens. These test methods require analysi
21、s of bothvisible effects and electrical performance effects.4.3.1 Effects on modules may vary from no changes tosignificant changes. Some physical changes in the module maybe visible even though there are no apparent electrical perfor-mance changes. Conversely, electrical performance changesmay occu
22、r with no visible change in the module.4.3.2 All conditions of measurement, effects of the testexposure, and any deviations from these test methods must bedescribed in the report so that an assessment of their signifi-cance can be made.4.4 If these test methods are being performed as part of acombin
23、ed sequence with other mechanical or nonmechanicaltests, the results of the final electrical test (7.2) and visualinspection (7.3) from one test may be used as the initialelectrical test and visual inspection for the next test; duplica-tion of these tests is unnecessary unless so specified.4.5 Some
24、module designs may not use any external metalliccomponents and thus lack a ground point designation by themodule manufacturer. In these cases, the ground path continu-ity test is not applicable.5. Apparatus5.1 In addition to the apparatus required for Test MethodsE 1036/E 1036M and E 1462, the follo
25、wing apparatus is re-quired.5.2 Open Circuit Fault DetectionInstrumentation formonitoring the module under test for open circuit conditionsduring the mechanical integrity tests. An acceptable apparatusis described in Annex A1.5.3 Static Load Test Apparatus:5.3.1 Test BaseA rigid test base shall be p
26、rovided thatenables the module to be mounted front-side up or front-sidedown in accordance with the requirements of 4.2.1 through4.2.3. The test base shall enable the module to deflect freelyduring load application to preclude any inadvertent interfer-ence or limiting of the normal deflections.5.3.2
27、 Load Measurement EquipmentMeans shall be pro-vided for measuring the applied load to within the prescribedtolerances.5.3.3 LoadsSuitable masses or means of applying pres-sure shall be provided that enable the load to be applied in agradual, uniform manner. Some examples of loads that can beused are
28、:5.3.3.1 Stacks of paper or small canvas or plastic bags filledwith several kilograms of sand, loose stones, or lead shot in asufficient quantity to meet the total load requirement,5.3.3.2 A water bag that can be progressively filled toincrease the load,5.3.3.3 A pneumatic bag that can be inflated t
29、o a controlledpressure and that is located between the module and a fixedsurface (see 5.5, Cyclic Load Test Apparatus),5.3.3.4 Loose sand can be used provided that a perimeterretaining skirt of cardboard or thin plywood, for example, isemployed around the module perimeter to retain the sand andmaint
30、ain load uniformity to the module edges, or5.3.3.5 Bricks or cement blocks may be used, but a padshould first be placed on the module to prevent scratch orparticle damage. With such rigid load elements, care should beexercised to minimize load concentration points.5.3.3.6 If the applied load is comp
31、rised of discrete loadelements such as bags, bricks, or blocks, the individual unitsshall weigh within 5 % of one another to ensure the applicationof a uniform load on the module.5.3.3.7 The applied load may be measured by pre-weighingthe load elements, or the load may be measured in-situ duringthe
32、test by the use of load scales incorporated into the testapparatus. If a pneumatic bag is used, the load can be measuredwith a pressure gage because the load is provided by pneumaticpressure.5.4 Twist Test Apparatus:5.4.1 A rigid test fixture shall be provided that allows themodule to be installed i
33、n a flat, planar configuration, and thatpermits the displacement of one of the attachment points suchthat a twist is induced in the module (see Fig. 1). The testfixture must meet the requirements of 4.2.1-4.2.4.5.4.2 Acceptable test fixtures capable of meeting this re-quirement include a simple tabl
34、e and shim arrangement, or amore complicated rack structure with a special screw adjust-ment for imposing the twist-inducing displacement.5.5 Cyclic Load Test ApparatusSeveral schemes areavailable for conducting the cyclic load test. Whicheverscheme is selected must adhere to the requirements of 4.2
35、.1through 4.2.3. Schemes that have been found acceptable are:5.5.1 Air Bag Scheme With this scheme, pressure isapplied by inflatable air bags. The module is sandwichedbetween two inflatable air bags which in turn are sandwichedbetween rigid or semirigid backing plates. By pressurizing thebag on one
36、side of the module while the bag on the oppositeE1830042side is vented to the atmosphere, a uniform pressure load equalto the pressure in the bag is applied to the module. By reversingwhich bag is pressurized and which is vented, an alternating orcyclic load is applied.5.5.1.1 The distance between t
37、he module and the backingplates must be carefully adjusted to ensure that the pressurewithin the air bag is applied to the panel and not reacted bymembrane tensile forces developed in the bag material. The airbag will not develop undesirable tensile stresses when pressur-ized appreciably less than i
38、ts normal inflated thickness.5.5.1.2 The backing plates should not be so close to themodule that it can interfere with the deformation or deflectionof the module when the bag on the other side of the module isinflated.5.5.2 Piston and Pillow SchemeWith this scheme, themodule is sandwiched between tw
39、o rigid or semirigid platens,each driven by a pneumatic piston as the means for applyingforce. Air-filled pillows are used between the platens, and themodule surfaces to uniformly distribute the alternating frontand back force to the module surfaces.5.5.2.1 The air pillows should not be excessively
40、inflated.Apillow will not develop undesirable tensile stresses if pressur-ized appreciably less than its normal inflated thickness.5.5.2.2 The opposing platen should not be so close to themodule that it can interfere with the deformation of themodule.5.5.3 Suction and Pressure SchemeThis scheme is b
41、asedon attaching the module to a frame and plate which in turn isconnected to a pressure and suction system. With the modulesealed and secured to the test fixture, a plenum is created. Therequired cyclic load is applied by creating a positive pressureor a suction within this plenum.5.5.4 The pressur
42、e or suction shall be uniformly distributedover the module surfaces and controlled to 1440 6 45 Pa.5.5.5 The cycle rate shall not exceed 0.34 Hz (20 cpm).5.5.6 A counter is recommended for counting test cycles.6. Hazards6.1 Each of the mechanical tests described herein involvesrisks associated with
43、the tests and the possibility of cata-strophic module failure.6.1.1 The test fixtures that involve masses such as bricks,blocks, or lead shot bags should be designed with a net or traylocated beneath the module to catch the weights and moduledebris should failure occur.6.1.2 Protective footwear and
44、safety glasses should be wornto protect the test personnel from falling weights and brokenglass. Non-tempered glass can break with sharp-edged orpointed shards. Tempered glass breaks into a multitude ofsmall, granular shaped pieces, and these can be propelled along distance due to the release of the
45、 tension-compressionpre-stresses created during the tempering process.7. Procedures7.1 Electrical Tests Perform the following electrical testsbefore and after each of the test methods:7.1.1 Electrical PerformanceMeasure each module inaccordance with Test Methods E 1036/E 1036M to establishelectrical
46、 performance including maximum power.7.1.2 Ground Path Continuity TestTest each module forground path continuity in accordance with Test MethodsE 1462.7.1.3 Insulation Integrity TestSubject each module to atest of the electrical isolation capability in accordance with 7.1and 7.2 of Test Methods E 14
47、62.7.2 Visual InspectionVisually inspect each module inaccordance with Practice E 1799 before and after each of thetest procedures is performed.7.3 Verify the ambient temperature is 20 6 10C.7.4 Twist Test Procedure:7.4.1 Connect the module leads to the open circuit faultdetection apparatus and begi
48、n monitoring.7.4.2 Fasten the module to the twist test fixture in accor-dance with the manufacturers recommended fasteners andprocedure.7.4.3 Twist the module to the required displacement asfollows (see Fig. 1):h 5 0.021 =L21 W2(1)where:h = mounting point displacement measured perpendicularto the di
49、agonal between mounting points, m,L = length between mounting points, m, andW = width between mounting points, m.The displacement h corresponds to an angle of deformationof 1.2.7.4.4 Hold the module in the twisted position for 1 h.Discontinue the test if a failure occurs.7.4.5 Remove the module from the test fixture.7.4.6 Disconnect the module from the open circuit faultdetection apparatus.FIG. 1 Deflection to be Applied by the Twist Test FixtureE18300437.5 Static Load Procedure, 2400 Pa Wind Load Test:7.5.1 Mount the module in the static load test apparatus.7
