Photovoltaic systems are highly exposed and vulnerable to lightning storms and power surges. A PV system that is not equipped with surge protection can be severely damaged or even destroyed in the case of an overvoltage such as one that would be caused by a lightning strike. Not only are the panels themselves targets for lightning, so are inverters, combiner boxes and even data lines throughout the system. The risk is so high that many installations actually require the use of surge protective devices (SPDs). A full surge risk assessment is an important step when installing a PV system, in order to identify any safety requirements.
Surge protective devices are essential to achieve the ROI that fully operating PV systems are able to provide. SPDs provide reassurance that the system will be protected in the lightning-prone environment in which it is placed, thus protecting the investment and avoiding costly downtime, repairs and replacements. It is highly recommended that anybody considering a PV installation also consider the protection that SPD’s offer.
CITEL will feature its photovoltaic surge protective devices at Intersolar North America this July in booth 8638.
Models on display will include:
• DS60VGPV – UL Type 1 CA DC SPD
• DS50VGPV – UL Type 1 CA DC SPD
• DS50PV/G – UL Type 4 CA DC SPD
• DS50PV – UL Type 1 DC SPDs
• DS2x0S-xxDC – Type 2 DC or AC SPD
By 2016, all UL1449 3rd Edition SPD’s will be required to test and publish a short circuit current rating (SCCR) and pass the intermediate current tests in order to comply with the SPD component assembly standard. The DS60VGPV and DS50VGPV are also 2016-ready. These parts feature CITEL’s patented VG Technology. VG Technology provides many benefits such as increased life expectancy, elimination of leakage current, elimination of working current, and will meet UL standards with no conditions of acceptability.
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