ASTM_E_1830_-_15.pdf

Designation:E183015Standard Test Methods forDetermining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1830;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determiningthe ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand the mechanicalloads,stresses and deflections used to simulate,on an acceler-ated basis,high wind conditions,heavy snow and iceaccumulation,and non-planar installation effects.1.1.1 A static load test to 2400 Pa is used to simulate windloads on both module surfaces.1.1.2 A static load test to 5400 Pa is used to simulate heavysnow and ice accumulation on the module front surface.1.1.3 A twist test is used to simulate the non-planar mount-ing of a photovoltaic module by subjecting it to a twist angleof 1.2.1.1.4 A cyclic load test of 10 000 cycles duration and peakloading to 1440 Pa is used to simulate dynamic wind or otherflexural loading.Such loading might occur during shipment orafter installation at a particular location.1.2 These test methods define photovoltaic test specimensand mounting methods,and specify parameters that must berecorded and reported.1.3 Any individual mechanical test may be performedsingly,or may be combined into a test sequence with othermechanical or nonmechanical tests,or both.Certain precondi-tioning test methods such as annealing or light soaking mayalso be necessary or desirable as a part of such a sequence.However,the determination of such test sequencing andpreconditioning is beyond the scope of these test methods.1.4 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels.The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results isbeyond the scope of these test methods.1.5 These test methods do not apply to concentrator mod-ules.1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to thehazards portion,Section 6,and the warning statements,7.5.3.2and 7.6.3.2,of these test methods.This standard does notpurport to address all of the safety concerns,if any,associatedwith its use.It is the responsibility of the user of this standardto establish appropriate safety and health practices anddetermine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior touse.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E772 Terminology of Solar Energy ConversionE1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and ArraysUsing Reference CellsE1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and GroundPath Continuity of Photovoltaic ModulesE1799 Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Mod-ules3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsDefinitions of terms used in these testmethods may be found in Terminology E772.4.Significance and Use4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules may depend ontheir ability to withstand periodic exposure to high wind forces,cyclic loads induced by specific site conditions or shipmentmethods,high loads caused by accumulated snow and ice onthe module surface,and twisting deflections caused by mount-ing to non-planar surfaces or structures.The effects on themodule may be physical or electrical,or both.Mostimportantly,the effects may compromise the safety of themodule,particularly in high voltage applications,or where thepublic may be exposed to broken glass or other debris.4.2 These test methods describe procedures for mountingthe test specimen,conducting the prescribed mechanical tests,and reporting the effects of the testing.1These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 onSolar,Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and are the directresponsibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.Current edition approved Feb.1,2015.Published March 2015.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1830-04.DOI:10.1520/E1830-15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandardsvolume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.2.1 The mounting and fastening method shall comply withthe manufacturers recommendations as closely as possible.Ifslots or multiple mounting holes are provided on the moduleframe for optional mounting point capability,the worst-casemounting positions shall be selected in order to subject themodule to the maximum stresses.4.2.2 If an unframed module is being tested,the moduleshall be mounted in strict accordance with the manufacturersinstruction