ASTM_E_1597_-_10_2015.pdf

Designation:E159710(Reapproved 2015)Standard Test Method forSaltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing ofPhotovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1597;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 This test method provides a procedure for determiningthe ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand repeatedimmersion or splash exposure by seawater as might be encoun-tered when installed in a marine environment,such as afloating aid-to-navigation.A combined environmental cyclingexposure with modules repeatedly submerged in simulatedsaltwater at varying temperatures and under repetitive pressur-ization provides an accelerated basis for evaluation of agingeffects of a marine environment on module materials andconstruction.1.2 This test method defines photovoltaic module test speci-mens and requirements for positioning modules for test,references suitable methods for determining changes in elec-trical performance and characteristics,and specifies parameterswhich must be recorded and reported.1.3 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels.The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results isbeyond the scope of this test method.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1141 Practice for the Preparation of Substitute OceanWaterE772 Terminology of Solar Energy ConversionE1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and ArraysUsing Reference CellsE1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar EnergyConversion(Withdrawn 2012)3E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and GroundPath Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsDefinitions of terms used in this testmethod may be found in Terminology E772 and TerminologyE1328.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 PIT,nPressure,Immersion,and Temperature.4.Significance and Use4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules deployed inmarine applications(such as floating aids-to-navigation)maydepend on the ability to withstand repeated exposure to saltatmosphere,immersion in seawater,and the temperaturechanges associated with seawater splash falling on modulesoperating in sunlight.The effects of these exposures may bephysical or electrical changes in the module,or both.4.2 This test method describes a procedure for positioningthe test specimen,conducting a cyclical combined pressure,immersion,and temperature(PIT)test,and reporting theresults.It also references methods for conducting moduleelectrical performance and insulation integrity tests.4.3 Data generated by this test method may be used toevaluate and compare the effects of a simulated marineenvironment on test specimens.This test method requiresrecording of visible effects as well as electrical performance.4.3.1 Effects on modules may vary from none to significantchanges.Some physical changes in the module may be visiblewhen there are no apparent electrical changes in the module.Similarly,electrical changes may occur with no visible changesin the module.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,Geothermal and OtherAlternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.Current edition approved March 1,2015.Published April 2015.Originallyapproved in 1994.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E1597-10.DOI:10.1520/E1597-10R15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.Apparatus5.1 In addition to the apparatus required for Test MethodsE1036 and Test Method E1462,the following apparatus isrequired.5.1.1 PIT ChamberA thermally insulated,pressure-resistant test apparatus with a main chamber of sufficientvolume to submerge the test modules in simulated seawatersolution.A means of pressurizing the chamber with com-pressed air to 35 kPa is required.Two secondary holding tanksare required for storing prescribed volumes of sim