6
Operation of the PVPM
-10-
For an I-V-curve measurement the following components are necessary:
Peak power measuring device PVPM (measurement of I-V-curve, display of results)
external temperature sensor for module back surface
Phox irradiance sensor with Pt100/Pt1000 temperature sensor
external security switch 1000V / 32A (or 40A, see chapter 7) with 4-wire cabling to the module
the module under test and the cable connection between PV module and PVPM
optional: External PC for the operation of the measurement and evaluation of the measured data
The PVPM is equipped with the following input/output interfaces (you will find all interfaces besides the power
supply at the front panel, they are all marked):
Interface
Function
Power supply
At the left side of the PVPM, input 16Vdc
Temperature
(External) temperature sensor
Irradiance
Combined sensor irradiance / Pt1000 temperature
4-wire-measurement
Voltage input (module under test)
Current input
Current input (module under test)
PC
Serial connection to PC (AT Cross cable 9-Pin)
6.4 Power Supply
The PVPM contains an accumulator which let it become independent from mains grid power supply. The
accumulator can be charged by the external power supply and an integrated charge unit. After connecting the
external power supply to the left side of the PVPM case the accumulator is charged automatically. The charge
state is displayed by a LED at the front panel of the device.
6.5 Connecting a PC
The PVPM can operate independent from an external PC. For an extended evaluation of the measured data or
just for operating the PVPM from a PC you can connect the PC to the PVPM with the delivered cable (USB A –
Mini B). Attach this cable to a free USB port of your PC and to the “PC” connector of the PVPM.
Caution: before you can operate the PVPM from a PC with PVPM.disp it is necessary to select the menu
option “transfer” on the PVPM. Otherwise the PVPM will not listen to the serial port and the PC can not access
the device.
6.6 Connecting the Solar Generator
Important
: during an I-V-curve measurement the solar generator under test must be disconnected from all
other devices like batteries, inverters or loads. During the measurement the PVPM will short circuit the solar
generator for some seconds and it might be damaged by still connected batteries or load capacities of the
inverter!
Connect the PVPM properly to the solar generator using the cables delivered with the PVPM. The
plus pole is
marked RED
, the
minus pole is marked BLACK
!
Assure that all connectors of the power measuring cables are pushed in completely (until stop) into
the sockets.
It is important, that all 4 plugs of the 4-wire-measurement are connected properly by the delivered 4-wire-cable
or (if you don’t want a 4-wire-measurement) the two red plugs should be connected and the two black plugs as
well. Use standard short circuit plugs (19mm) or laboratory cables for this purpose. Without this connection a
measurement is not possible!
Caution: keep a sufficient distance to power leading parts of the cables between solar generator and
measuring device. These cables may lead high tension what may affect your health even without direct
contact!
Operation manual for PVPM devices
PV-Engineering GmbH
