Standards Development

Scope

This part of the IEC 61439 series specifies requirements for the design and verification of assemblies for use in photovoltaic installations. Such photovoltaic assemblies are designated PVAs.

PVAs have the following characteristics:

–        assemblies used for the combination or recombination of electrical energy in DC systems for which the voltage does not exceed 1  500 V DC and supply to an AC network where the voltage does not exceed 1  000 V AC;

–        stationary assemblies with an enclosure;

–        assemblies intended for operation by authorised persons, but can be located in an area accessible to ordinary persons;

–        suitable for indoor or outdoor installation.This document identifies definitions, specify the service conditions, detail the construction requirements, define the technical characteristics, and provide verifications for PVAs.

PVAs can also include control and or signaling devices associated with the distribution of electrical energy.

This document applies to all PVAs whether they are designed and manufactured on a one-off basis or fully standardized and manufactured in quantity.

The manufacture and/or assembly can be carried out by an entity other than the original manufacturer (see 3.10.1 of IEC 61439-1:2020).This document does not apply to individual devices, for example, circuit-breakers, fuse switches and self-contained components such as, motor starters, power electronic converter systems and equipment (PECS), switch mode power supplies (SMPS), uninterruptable power supplies (UPS), basic drive modules (BDM), complete drive modules (CDM), adjustable speed power drives systems (PDS), stand-alone energy storage systems (battery and capacitor systems), other electronic equipment which comply with their relevant product standards, and junction boxes for photovoltaic modules. This document describes their integration into a PVA or an empty enclosure used as a part of a PVA.

For some applications, such as, explosive atmospheres, functional safety, there may be a need to comply with the requirements of other standards or legislation in addition to those specified in the IEC 61439 series.

This document does not apply to the specific types of assemblies covered by other parts of IEC 61439.

Unless local legislation details additional requirements, equipment within the scope of this document, which complies with this document, is deemed to meet essential safety requirements. This includes fully verified specifier options, for example user choice of protection against accidental contact with hazardous live parts of IPXXB or IP3XD. Where special requirements are agreed between the user and manufacturer, that are not fully specified within this document, for example, (i) part of the assembly is outside the scope of this document, (ii) exceptional vibration is present at the place of installation, (iii) exceptional voltage variations occur in service, or (iv) possible adverse effects from sonic or ultrasonic sources, a risk assessment and/or additional or more severe verifications may be required to demonstrate that the essential safety requirements have been fulfilled.