Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Surge protection devices preserve solar PV investment

Transient overvoltage protection without backup fuses safeguards quality and lifespan of vital solar energy components whilst maintaining continuity of production

Carlo Gavazzi has extended its solar energy portfolio with new surge protection devices that provide backup protection without internal fuses. The innovative DSF surge arrestors embody a special internal backup that ensures they remain safe at the end of varistor life, thus ensuring the safest transient overvoltage protection for combiner boxes in photovoltaic systems.

DSF surge arrestors comply with new and emerging standards for DC-side surge protection in PV systems, in particular the new French UTE C 61-740-51 and future EN 50539-11As norms.

In addition, they extend the Carlo Gavazzi product family, with three DSF models taking the maximum nominal voltage up to 1200V DC. Available in two- or three-pole configurations, the devices provide both differential and common-mode protection.

Innovative built-in technologies cater for both long-duration temporary overvoltage and instantaneous surges lasting microseconds. The former is addressed by a path combining a current limiter with varistor, whilst faster events are routed to a path with varistor and gas tube surge arrester.

Their innovative technology protects internal varistors from the leakage current that could damage and age them when the nominal DC voltage of the plant is temporary exceeded -  for example in  mornings when the solar panels are cold or in the case of wrong connections. When the varistor nears its end of life, DSF technology ensures the arrester is intrinsically safe with regard to short-circuit behaviour.

DSF arrestors are based on removable cartridges, which can be replaced without leaving the installation unprotected. Exhausted cartridges are indicated by a red optical window on the front panel and a voltage-free contact is provided for remote function monitoring.  Internal wiring and labelled terminals contribute further to quicker, simpler installation and maintenance.

The devices are provided ready-assembled for DIN-rail mounting and come with CE marks as well as UL1449 3rd Edition approval.

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