Overview
IEC 62688:2017 - Concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules and assemblies – Safety qualification - defines fundamental construction and testing requirements to ensure safe electrical and mechanical operation of CPV modules and assemblies over their expected lifetime. The standard focuses on prevention of electrical shock, fire hazards, and personal injury from mechanical and environmental stresses. It is intended to cover basic requirements for multiple CPV application classes while recognizing that it does not replace all national or regional codes. IEC 62688:2017 is designed to coordinate its test sequence with IEC 62108, allowing the same sample set to be used for both safety and performance evaluations.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope & Sampling: rules for sample selection, nameplate marking and hazard labeling (e.g., high-intensity light, field connections, hot surfaces).
- Application classes & construction: classification of CPV modules/assemblies (various classes addressing access, insulation and protection levels) and construction-related requirements.
- Polymers & materials: guidance for polymeric materials used in optics, encapsulants, seals, frames and enclosures, including exposure to concentrated sunlight.
- Electrical protection: requirements for internal wiring, splices, connectors, output leads, overcurrent protection, creepage and clearance distances, and degrees of pollution.
- Bonding, grounding & lightning protection: continuity testing and requirements for safe earthing of metallic parts and lightning measures.
- Field interfaces: requirements for field wiring compartments, strain relief, conduit applications, and accessible terminals.
- Fire and mechanical safety: assessment of fire hazards, metal corrosion protection, edge protection and mechanical securement.
- Testing program: defined test categories and procedures including visual inspection, accessibility tests, dielectric voltage withstand, wet insulation, reverse-current overload, thermal cycling, grounding/bonding continuity and other mechanical/environmental tests.
Practical Applications and Users
Who should use IEC 62688:2017:
- CPV module and assembly manufacturers - for product design, material selection and factory QA.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - to perform safety qualification and verify compliance.
- System integrators and design engineers - to ensure safe integration of CPV modules into field systems.
- Regulators and safety auditors - to assess conformity with internationally recognized CPV safety practices.
Practical benefits:
- Reduces risk of shock, fire and mechanical failure in CPV deployments.
- Streamlines testing by aligning safety qualification with IEC 62108 performance tests.
- Provides clear guidance for materials, field connections and lifetime stress testing.
Related standards
- IEC 62108 (performance testing of CPV modules/assemblies) - specifically referenced for coordinated test sequencing.
- National and regional electrical and building codes (not superseded by IEC 62688:2017).