scope:

This document describes the principles for selection, installation and coordination of SPDs intended for use in Photovoltaic (PV) systems up to 1500 V DC and for the AC side of the PV system rated up to 1000 V RMS 50/60 Hz.

The photovoltaic installation extends from a PV array or a set of interconnected PV-modules to include the associated cabling and protective devices and the converter up to the connection point in the distribution board or the utility supply point.

This document considers SPDs used in different locations and in different kinds of PV systems:

- PV systems located on the top of a building;

- PV systems located on the ground like free field power plants characterized by multiple earthing and a meshed earthing system.

The term PV installation is used to refer to both kinds of PV systems. The term PV power plant is only used for extended free-field multi-earthed power systems located on the ground.

For PV installations including batteries additional requirements could be necessary.

NOTE 1 The HD 60364 series, EN 62305 series and CLC/TS 61643-12 also apply.

NOTE 2 This document deals only with SPDs and not with surge protective components integrated inside equipment (e.g. inverters, (PCE) power conversion equipment).