Video Summary - SOLAR PV SYSTEM TESTING - IEC 60364 / IS 732 Standards and IEC 62446-1

Main ideas & concepts conveyed

Purpose of the webinar: Explain how to inspect and test solar PV installations to meet safety and compliance requirements defined by international standards, especially:
- IEC 60364 / IS 732 (low-voltage electrical installations)
- IEC 62446-1 (inspection/verification/testing/documentation/maintenance for grid-connected PV systems)
Why PV verification matters: Solar PV is expanding rapidly (noted for India and the Middle East). Verification is positioned as essential for:
- Safety
- Reliability
- Optimal performance
- Regulatory compliance
What “verification” includes (not just measurements):
1. Visual inspection & paper checks
2. Measurement/testing
3. Documentation & reporting
Inspection frequency guidance:
- Depends on:
  - Manufacturer recommendations
  - Installation history
  - National regulations (especially)
- IEC 62446-1 (part 2) is referenced for guidance such as annual inspection during the first five years, with intervals potentially extended afterwards.
- Risk level matters, e.g., shorter intervals for higher-risk environments (like factories) than for residential/commercial sites.
Power quality is linked to safety:
- For grid-connected PV, power quality issues (e.g., harmonics) should be monitored where required and treated as part of safe operation.
Practical focus of the talk:
- The session highlights core electrical protection and PV DC tests commonly covered by these standards, including:
  - continuity,
  - insulation resistance,
  - loop impedance,
  - RCD testing,
  - PV insulation testing with attention to radiation/irradiance conditions.

Methodology / list of instructions (detailed bullet format)

A) How to plan inspection/testing intervals (as described)

Use these factors to set the initial and periodic inspection interval:

Recommendations from equipment manufacturers (inverters, panels, etc.)
Previous inspection records (when periodic)
National regulations for electrical installation safety inspections
For PV systems: periodic verification should not be more frequent than the periodic verification interval of the host installation
- Example given: residential/commercial host interval ~5 years, but shorter intervals for higher-risk environments.

Referenced guidance:

IEC 62446-1 part 2 suggests an annual inspection for the first five years, then potentially extending the interval.

B) Three main parts of “verification” (IEC-based workflow)

Visual inspection and document checks
- Confirm system components are correctly selected and installed
- Check for visible damage
- Confirm required documentation exists
Measurements/tests
- Perform tests on the AC side first, then the DC side (and then PV-related DC tests)
Documentation & reporting
- Record deviations, test results, and acceptance/commissioning information
- Include sign-off by a qualified person

C) AC-side electrical measurement set (IS 732 / IEC 60364 references)

Core tests described:

Continuity testing
- Verify continuity of protective connections / equipotential bonding
- Measure resistance continuity of protective conductors and exposed conductive parts
Insulation resistance testing
- Measure insulation resistance
- Note: L–N may read lower depending on wiring/equipment—ensure that no connected current-using equipment affects the test result.
Automatic disconnection of supply
- Measure loop impedance
- Check that the installation configuration meets conditions for safe automatic disconnection
- Example noted: behavior differs between TN vs TT systems
RCD (RCCB) parameter testing
- Trip time/current checks for the rated residual current
- Emphasis on measuring trip current and trip time (not all possible RCD parameters)
- Example values mentioned:
  - Using a 30 mA device and measuring time at rated current
  - Constraint referenced around 300 ms maximum (as stated in the subtitles)
Additional protection testing
- Includes “additional protection testing by checking the RCDs parameter”
- Polarity-related checks are discussed later in the DC context

D) DC-side PV tests (IEC 62446-1 part 1 referenced; “category” structure)

1) General test categories (IEC 62446-1 part 1)

Category 1 tests (required for PV installations regardless of size)
- Continuity testing on equipotential bonding conductors
- Polarity test
- Combiner box test
- String open-circuit voltage (Voc)
- String short-circuit current (Isc)
- Functional tests and insulation resistance of the DC circuit
Category 2 tests (extended tests for larger systems)
- Additional tests on top of category 1, such as:
  - I–V curve tests (EVCur)
  - Thermographic testing
- Additional checks mentioned (when applicable), including:
  - voltage to ground blocking test
  - wet insulation test
  - shade evaluation

2) Step-by-step DC testing flow (as demonstrated conceptually)

Turn off / secure the system
Set up measurement conditions
- Record irradiance
- Record panel/module temperature
Perform continuity checks
- Verify continuity between main grounding bar and construction/panels
Measure string Voc
- Measure open-circuit voltage per string
- Includes an adjustment concept to reference the “standard condition” value
Measure string Isc
- Measure short-circuit current
- Recalculate/normalize current based on irradiance (and temperature) to standard conditions
Measure DC insulation resistance
- Typically performed in two steps:
  - positive terminal to earth (ground)
  - negative terminal to earth (ground)
- Notes:
  - waiting/stabilization time mentioned (~15–20 seconds)
  - typical minimum value mentioned 1 MΩ (with real-world values often higher)

E) Conditions/constraints emphasized during PV measurements

Irradiance during measurements
- Subtitles indicate a need for stable irradiance
- A minimum around ~400 W/m² is mentioned; below this, recalculation to standard conditions becomes more difficult.
Avoid interference during insulation tests
- Prevent current-using devices from affecting measurements so readings aren’t misleading.
Order matters
- Inspect/measure AC side first, then DC side.

F) Documentation requirements (minimum content described)

Minimum documentation elements required in the PV system documentation/report include:

System information and description
Designer and installer details
System operation and maintenance manual
Diagrams and technical specifications of devices
Report on system acceptance verification and commissioning
Visual inspection results and any deviations
Signed by a qualified person

Speakers / sources featured (identified)

Speakers (people)

Dominic Host/moderator; identified as from India, with background in fire/electrical safety; introduces the session.
Sham Ravindran Managing Director, Sunel Instruments India Pvt Limited; main presenter.
Carol Kashmar Head of Training and Technical Support Department, Sol (office in Poland); technical presenter.

Organizations / sources referenced

IEC 60364 (referred to as IS 732 in India)
IEC 62446-1 (references to part 1 and part 2)
National Electrical Code 2023 (referred to as “primary document”)
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (India) (statistics quoted from ministry website)
CA guidelines / regulatory guidelines for grid connectivity and continuous power quality monitoring
IEC 61557-10 / IEC 61557 series (equipment compliance mentioned)
IEC 61010 (safety of measuring instruments referenced)
IEC 519 / 1519 / 519 2014 and IEC 519 2022 (power quality/reporting references mentioned; some subtitle ambiguity)
NF (National Foundation of engineers for electrical safety) and NF workshops (mentioned as training context)
Sonal (Sunel) and Sol / Fluke (workshop sponsor/platform mentions)

SOLAR PV SYSTEM TESTING - IEC 60364 / IS 732 Standards and IEC 62446-1

Key takeaways