Procedure

VN

Overview

This technical specification provides a test method for performing a cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load test. This test may be utilized to evaluate if components within the module including solar cells, interconnect ribbons and/or electrical bonds within the module are susceptible to breakage or if edge seals are likely to fail due to the mechanical stresses encountered during installation and operation. This test can be performed at any module temperature within the normal operating temperature range. This technical specification has historically been applied to rigid modules. It cannot be applied to flexible modules unless they are designed to be mounted in a rigid manner. In which case, the cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load test can be applied to the flexible module in its rigid mounting system. This test has been written as a standalone technical specification, but it is likely to be used in conjunction with other test standards. Typically, this test itself will not result in power loss, but when followed by additional stress tests like thermal cycling and humidity freeze, the damage done by the mechanical cycling results in power loss that would not have occurred due only to the thermal cycling and humidity freeze tests. The responsible committee is DKE/K 373 "Photovoltaische Solarenergie-Systeme" ("Photovoltaic solar power systems") of the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) at DIN and VDE.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

DKE/K 373 - Photovoltaische Solarenergie-Systeme