scope:

This European Standard defines the requirements and tests for SPDs intended to be installed on the d.c. side of photovoltaic installations to protect against induced and direct lightning effects. These devices are connected to d.c. power circuits of photovoltaic generators, rated up to 1 500 V. It takes into account that photovoltaic generators • behave like current generators, - that their nominal current depends on the light intensity, - that their short-circuit current is almost equal to the nominal current, - are connected in series and/or parallel combinations leading to a great variety of voltages, currents and powers from a few hundreds of W (in residential installations) to several MW (photovoltaic fields). The very specific electrical parameters of PV installations on the d.c. side require specific test requirements for SPDs.